5 Marketing Resolutions You’ll Actually Keep in 2026

 January 8, 2026      Ivars Leitis

Every January, marketing teams make the same promises.

We’re going to be more strategic.
We’re going to try new things.
We’re going to finally fix the stuff we’ve been duct-taping for years.

Then Q1 hits. Everyone’s busy. Budgets get weird. And suddenly it’s June and nothing really changed.

So instead of vague goals, here are marketing resolutions for 2026 that actually stick.

Resolution #1: Stop Chasing Shiny Objects

If your 2026 plan is built around the “next big thing,” you’re already behind.

New platforms will come and go. Algorithms will shift. Tools will promise miracles. None of that replaces fundamentals.

This year, commit to:

  • clear objectives
  • simple messaging
  • campaigns that are easy to understand and easy to enter

Marketing that works is rarely complicated. It’s just well thought out.

Resolution #2: Build Momentum, Not One-Offs

Short campaigns can work, but they shouldn’t live in isolation.

The brands that win in 2026 are building momentum, not just moments. That means campaigns that:

  • grow your audience
  • collect first-party data
  • give people a reason to come back

This is exactly why well-structured contests and sweepstakes continue to outperform flashy one-time activations. They don’t just create noise. They create a pipeline.

Resolution #3: Make Participation Easy

Attention spans are short. Patience is shorter.

If your campaign:

  • takes too long to explain
  • has too many steps
  • or feels confusing

People will bounce.

One of the biggest advantages of a properly run sweepstakes is simplicity. Clear prize. Clear entry. Clear value. When it’s done right, users don’t have to think. They just act.

In 2026, friction is your enemy.

Resolution #4: Prioritize Data You Can Actually Use

Likes and impressions feel good. They don’t always move the business.

This year, focus on marketing that gives you:

  • real customer data
  • permission-based engagement
  • insights you can act on after the campaign ends

A contest or sweepstakes isn’t just about the prize. It’s about what you learn from the people who enter, and how you use that information going forward.

Resolution #5: Choose Campaigns That Hold Up Under Scrutiny

Marketing teams are under more pressure than ever to justify spend.

That’s why in 2026, it’s not enough for a campaign to “look cool.” It has to:

  • be compliant
  • be measurable
  • be defensible internally

This is where many brands get burned trying to run promotions themselves or cutting corners. Done wrong, contests can cause headaches. Done right, they’re one of the safest and most effective tools in your playbook.

Why Sweepstakes Still Make Sense in 2026

Despite all the noise around automation and AI, contests and sweepstakes continue to deliver because they hit three things at once:

  • attention
  • participation
  • data

When you run a promotion with RAVEN5, you’re not just launching a giveaway. You’re getting:

  • a proven structure that converts
  • compliance handled properly
  • a campaign built to support your broader marketing goals

No gimmicks. No shortcuts. Just programs that work.

One Last Resolution

In 2026, don’t aim to do more marketing.

Aim to do better marketing.

The kind that’s clear, repeatable, and built to last longer than a single campaign window.

If you’re ready to kick off the year with a promotion that actually moves the needle, a sweepstakes or contest is still one of your best bets. And doing it with the right partner makes all the difference.

Ivars Leitis, January 2026

View All