Top marketing tools you should carry into 2026

It’s mid-November, so you’re probably getting into or even just starting your holiday marketing, but it’s not too early to start planning for the future, 2026 will be here before you know it.

Starting off on the right foot can make a big difference, so we’re sharing some of our top marketing tools that you should carry into 2026!

Canva

Having a graphic designer is amazing, we know that, but we also know that not everyone is equipped with that knowledge and not everyone has the resources to hire one, especially if you’re a small business just starting out. Canva is an amazing resource to have because it allows you to create content, posters, and so many other marketing materials. If you are able to spend a little bit of money, upgrading from the free plan to the pro plan opens up a ton of features and even more elements, like more images, audio, and videos. They also have a ton of templates to help get you started or to spark some creativity and it’s pretty user friendly too! A little secret… even graphic design pros use it! 

Scheduling/automation tools

Scheduling and automation tools, or even in-app scheduling features, can be a game changer. They allow you to create content when you can and then schedule it in advance. That means you don’t have to rely completely on memory of what goes out and when, you can create and schedule when you have time, and you can automate and relax when you need to (like during the upcoming holidays). 

ChatGPT - and other AI tools

We’re only human and sometimes we might struggle, like when we’re trying to come up with ideas for content. A tool like ChatGPT or Gemini can pop out SO many ideas to get those creative juices flowing.

If you do decide to use tools like this, then I suggest that you use it more for inspiration and idea generation, rather than creating content for you. We’ve mentioned it before, but it bears repeating, consumers don’t want to feel like they’re talking to AI either, so it’s important to keep a human touch to any written content.

While these tools can be helpful, I do have to share a little bit of a warning. AI can be kind of scary, it can be terrible for the environment, and a lot of what is generated is stolen from real artists and others, so be mindful when using it. And I’m not saying it’s Skynet, but Skynet was AI… 

Chatbots

You can only take on so much in a day, you’re human. It can be challenging staying on top of all the things, like customers and potential customers, contacting you at all hours. That’s where chatbots can help. Chatbots provide customer support through automation, they can answer questions, direct users to webpages and contact forms, help with troubleshooting, and more. That said, chatbots have their limits, so make sure you are checking in and monitoring things. If you’re interested in learning more, Candace outlined a few options for chatbots in a previous blog.

SongBird Spotlight

Speaking of blogs… In case this is the first time you’ve read our blog, you won’t want it to be the last! We share guides, tips, insights, and more every week, well almost every week, we need a holiday once in a while too!

Do you have any marketing tools you’re loving this year and taking into the next? Let us know!