The best time to prepare for 2026 marketing was last month

Posted on:

October 22, 2025

As contractors, you’re always focused on what’s right in front of you ─ the next call, the next install, the next emergency. But when it comes to marketing, that short-term mindset can cost you momentum.

If you’re waiting until the new year to plan your 2026 marketing, you’re already behind. The most successful HVACR, plumbing, and electrical contractors are the ones who plan ahead ─ taking time now to look at their data, refine their strategies, and map out next year’s plan.

Here’s why starting early makes all the difference, and what steps you can take to set your business up for long-term success.

1. Time is your greatest asset

A strong marketing plan isn’t built overnight. The earlier you begin, the more time you have to make informed, strategic decisions ─ instead of rushing through them when the season gets busy.

Start by:

Reviewing your 2025 performance: Look at what worked and what didn’t. Which marketing channels generated the most qualified leads? Which ones didn’t meet expectations?
Setting measurable goals: Define what success looks like in 2026 ─ not just “more leads,” but specific numbers tied to your sales and revenue goals.
Building high-quality content: Blog posts, videos, and social media updates take time to develop. Starting early lets you plan topics and align your content with seasonal needs.
Securing resources: Whether it’s your internal team or an external marketing partner, early planning ensures everyone is aligned and ready to execute.

When you plan ahead, you’re not reacting ─ you’re leading.

2. Beat the competition to the punch

Your competitors will start ramping up their marketing when the new year hits ─ but by then, you can already be running.

Early planning helps you:

Lock in prime ad placements, media planning, and negotiations before budgets tighten and competition spikes.
Establish brand authority through consistent content and community engagement.
Capitalize on seasonal timing by preparing campaigns around heating, cooling, or maintenance peaks ─ rather than scrambling to catch them.

Contractors who plan ahead consistently outperform those who wait until the last minute.

3. Build a marketing strategy that fits your market

Not every market behaves the same. Some regions respond better to digital ads, while others rely heavily on local referrals or direct mail. Reviewing your past year’s data helps you understand what works best in your area.

Use this insight to balance your spend between brand awareness and lead generation. For instance, if paid search brings in quality leads during peak season but slows in shoulder months, that’s your cue to invest in retention/lapsed customer campaigns and direct mail for tune-ups during the downtime.

4. Make space for reflection and refinement

Q4 is your chance to pause and plan. Take time to think about where your business is headed ─ not just in 2026, but over the next three to five years.

Ask yourself:

What are your biggest growth opportunities?
Are your service offerings evolving with customer demand?
Do your current marketing efforts reflect your brand and goals?

When you build strategy into your schedule now, you’ll start 2026 with clarity, not chaos.

The bottom line

The best time to prepare for 2026 isn’t next month ─ it was last month. But it’s not too late to start. A proactive approach to marketing gives you more control, more time to execute, and a stronger return on every dollar you spend.

If you’d like to learn more about how to strengthen your marketing strategy or have questions about planning for the year ahead, book a time to meet with us here.

Cornerstone Advertising is an ACCA Strategic Partner. To learn more about the ACCA Strategic Partner Program, contact partners@acca.org or visit acca.org/partners.

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Cornerstone Advertising

With decades of experience and a full-spectrum approach to marketing and advertising, Cornerstone harnesses the power of print, television, radio, web development, SEO/SEM and social media to present a consistent, engaging brand profile to attract potential customers for HVACR, plumbing, and electric contractors.

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