POWERful Shifts: Evolving Smarter for 2026

How we’re adapting our strategy, sharpening our systems, and elevating how brands show up online in the year ahead.

💥 POWER Updates

✔️ Updated our organic social strategy for 2026 with a deeper focus on searchability, value-driven content, and community connection.

✔️ Re-energized Santonastasso Enterprises’ social presence by implementing a refreshed, community-first organic strategy that reignited growth.

✔️ Continued to support Smashed Waffles with targeted email marketing campaigns that drive repeat visits and promote seasonal menu favorites.

🎯POWERing Up: Our Social Strategy for 2026

Social media doesn’t stand still, and neither do we. As platforms shift and search behavior evolves, staying effective means adapting with purpose. That’s why we’re updating how we show up online and how we guide our clients into the new year.

Our focus for 2026 centers on clarity, value, and community. Every change is designed to strengthen reach and improve the way audiences discover and engage. This includes optimizing bios for searchability, a focus on including keywords, and prioritizing video and carousel content. We’re also shifting our content toward deeper community connection and exploring private channels to create a sense of exclusivity.

These updates aren’t cosmetic, they’re strategic. Social media is now a search engine, and quality content is the key to long-term success. By evolving our approach now, we’re setting the foundation for a more impactful year for both our team and clients.

📊 Case Study: Doubling Views Through Community-First Content

Santonastasso Enterprises has proudly served the Greater Pittsburgh Area for over four decades, operating 31 McDonald’s locations with deep local roots. After a period of stagnant growth on social media, the goal was clear: improve brand awareness and refresh their digital presence through a smarter organic strategy.

Our approach focused on:

• Evaluating existing content performance to uncover gaps

• Shifting strategy toward local storytelling and family-focused content

• Maintaining consistent posting to stay top of mind within the community

The results spoke for themselves. In just one month:

• Reach increased by 275%

• Engagements grew by 149%

• Page visits rose by 134%

• Views more than doubled, up 111%

This case study highlights how intentional, community-centered content paired with consistent execution can quickly reignite growth and strengthen local brand impact.

🏆 Client Feature: Smashed Waffles

We’re proud to partner with Smashed Waffles, a bold and fast-growing brand reimagining waffles and coffee through creativity, quality ingredients, and an unforgettable guest experience. Every waffle is made from scratch daily, smashed to golden perfection, and finished with flavor combinations that keep customers coming back for more.

Smashed Waffles pairs handcrafted waffles with expertly roasted coffee to create something that’s both indulgent and approachable. Their menu balances sweet and savory offerings while keeping ordering simple, making every visit easy.

We support Smashed Waffles through strategic email marketing across both in-store and catering audiences, helping drive seasonal promotions, strengthen customer loyalty, and increase repeat visits through high-impact messaging.

💡 Industry Tip: Don’t Pivot Too Fast, Let the Data Lead

In a world where business models can shift overnight, it’s easy to feel pressured to make big changes fast. But quick pivots rarely lead to long-term success. Real clarity comes from slowing down, analyzing the data, and understanding what’s actually working before you overhaul your entire model.

We don’t rush to reinvent a client’s business. We start by reviewing performance, identifying gaps, and exploring areas of opportunity. With today’s ability to track data at every level, your direction should be informed, not impulsive.

Thoughtful testing builds confidence. Data-backed decisions build momentum. And sustainable growth comes from refining your model, not abandoning it too soon.

🔌 Living the POWER Pillars

Customizable Services: Flexible, scalable solutions, from social strategy to CRM workflows, built around the evolving needs of every business.

Leadership-Driven Servicing: We stay hands-on and attentive, showing up with clarity and collaboration to guide clients through smart, sustainable growth.

Results-Driven Optimizations: Every decision is backed by data. We test, refine, and improve continuously to strengthen performance across every channel.

👋 Employee Spotlight: Meet Landyn

Meet Landyn, our Digital Media Intern!

Landyn joins the team with a strong foundation in data analytics and a passion for social media marketing. She’ll be working closely with the digital media team on content calendars, copy, and graphic design, helping bring strategy to life across platforms. Landyn is eager to sharpen her marketing skills and collaborate directly with real-world clients, making her a great addition to our team.

📚 What We’re Learning: AI’s Role in Smarter Digital Marketing

AI is transforming the way modern marketers work, and the brands that embrace it are gaining a clear advantage. We don’t see AI as a trend, it’s a toolbox that helps us create faster, analyze deeper, and execute more strategically across every service we offer.

From content creation and design to podcasting, workflow automation, website optimization, and real-time collaboration, the right tools help us work more efficiently without sacrificing creativity or authenticity. AI enhances what our team already does best, giving us more time to focus on strategy and performance.

As the digital landscape accelerates, the gap between brands using AI and those that aren’t will only widen. The goal isn’t to replace the human element, it’s to amplify it. When thoughtful strategy meets powerful AI tools, you get campaigns that scale faster and deliver stronger results.