Pinterest Predicts 2026: The Trends Service Providers Should Use to Grow Faster Next Year

a bunch of pinterest for the blog Pinterest Predicts 2026: The Trends Service Providers Should Use to Grow Faster Next Year<br />

Pinterest Predicts 2026: The Trends Service Providers Should Use to Grow Faster Next Year

Hey — let’s get this party started! Pinterest just dropped their 2026 trend report, and honestly… it’s good. Like, really good. If you want your content to stand out next year, stay ahead of the curve, and actually create posts people are searching for, you’re in the right place.

I’m Jen, and I help service providers get more leads without posting every single day. I’ve used Pinterest since the invite-only beta days back in 2009, and I’ve seen firsthand how predictable this platform is when you understand search behavior.

This year’s report centers on three major themes: non-conformity, self-preservation, and escapism + play — which makes total sense because people want comfort, joy, and identity more than ever.

Let’s dig in.

What Is Pinterest Predicts (and Why It’s a Big Deal)?

Pinterest Predicts is Pinterest’s annual trend forecast built from real user behavior — not opinions, not vibes, not a random brainstorm. They analyze billions of searches and saves to spot what’s rising across beauty, home, food, fashion, travel, and lifestyle.

They look at:

  • What people are searching for
  • What they’re saving
  • What’s rising month over month
  • What’s becoming a global trend

And here’s the kicker — Pinterest has been accurate 80% of the time over the past few years. So when they say something is trending… it’s coming.

For service providers, that means this report is basically your shortcut to:

  • Knowing what visuals and topics will take off next year
  • Planning content before the trends hit the mainstream
  • Creating pins, blogs, and videos people are already curious about
  • Building offers aligned with what your future clients want

This is the good stuff.

Pinterest Predicts 2026 — All 21 Trends with Better Descriptions

Here are the full trends directly from Pinterest’s 2026 report, rewritten to be simple, clear, and helpful for your audience.

1. Cool Blue

Soft, icy, glacier-inspired blues showing up in beauty, weddings, drinks, events, and home. Calm, clean, almost futuristic. Great if you want your brand to feel fresh, clear, and grounded.

2. Gimme Gummy

A full-on texture moment. Think squishy, jelly, rubbery, glossy shapes — nails, phone cases, packaging, beauty looks. Perfect if you create fun, playful, sensory content or want your visuals to feel “touchable.”

3. Vamp Romantic

Moody, dark, emotional romance vibes. Deep reds, lace, candlelight, vintage glam, almost gothic but pretty. Fantastic for photographers, beauty pros, and anyone leaning into dramatic, emotional storytelling.

4. Neo Deco

A bold, glam revival of Art Deco: sleek geometry, chrome and brass, sharp lines, rich tones. Shows up in interiors, weddings, brand design, and events. Great if you want your brand to feel luxe, polished, and a little extra.

5. Pen Pals

Analog connection is back: letter writing, pretty stationery, filled-out postcards, journaling, and slow, intentional notes. Perfect for coaches, therapists, organizers, or anyone who talks about reflection, habits, or slowing down.

6. Darecations

Travel for the thrill, not just the rest. Think rafting, canyons, racing, adventure sports, and “I did something big” trips. Great for travel pros, retreat hosts, coaches, or anyone tying growth to courage and adventure.

7. Glamoratti

Maximalist ’80s glam: sequins, sparkle, big silhouettes, bold color, “too much” in a fun way. Amazing for event pros, brand photographers, and style experts who love bold, statement visuals.

8. Wilderkind

Delicate animal + nature aesthetic — butterflies, soft creature prints, subtle animal motifs, forest elements. Lovely for kids brands, family photographers, nature-inspired businesses, and soft storytelling visuals.

9. Laced Up

Doilies, lace, delicate trims, crochet, and old-school textile details. This shows up in fashion, table styling, weddings, and home. Great for brands that lean soft, romantic, sentimental, or vintage.

10. Brooched

Vintage brooches and pins as the star accessory — on blazers, hats, coats, bags, even hair. Nostalgic but playful. Stylists, photographers, and fashion/branding pros can have a lot of fun with this.

11. Glitchy Glam

Beauty and visuals that “miss the mark” on purpose — mismatched eyeliner, off-center shapes, broken graphics, distorted filters. Ideal for creators who want to talk about perfectionism, creativity, or embracing the mess.

IMAGE FOR BLOG Pinterest Predicts 2026: The Trends Service Providers Should Use to Grow Faster Next Year<br />
Pinterest Predicts 2026: The Trends Service Providers Should Use to Grow Faster Next Year<br />
Pinterest Predicts 2026: The Trends Service Providers Should Use to Grow Faster Next Year<br />
Pinterest Predicts 2026: The Trends Service Providers Should Use to Grow Faster Next Year<br />
Pinterest Predicts 2026: The Trends Service Providers Should Use to Grow Faster Next Year<br />
Pinterest Predicts 2026: The Trends Service Providers Should Use to Grow Faster Next Year<br />
Pinterest Predicts 2026: The Trends Service Providers Should Use to Grow Faster Next Year
Pinterest Predicts 2026: The Trends Service Providers Should Use to Grow Faster Next Year<br />
Pinterest Predicts 2026: The Trends Service Providers Should Use to Grow Faster Next Year<br />
Pinterest Predicts 2026: The Trends Service Providers Should Use to Grow Faster Next Year<br />

Need Help?

If you want help with Pinterest next year, you’ve got two options:

Done-for-you management: We design your pins, set your strategy, and post everything for you so you don’t have to lift a finger.

DIY inside The Club: Templates, coaching, support, and simple step-by-step help to keep you consistent without burning out.  Come on in — it’s so much fun and it’s the easiest way to build a lead system you can trust.

Pinterest Predicts 2026: The Trends Service Providers Should Use to Grow Faster Next Year<br />
Pinterest Predicts 2026: The Trends Service Providers Should Use to Grow Faster Next Year<br />
Pinterest Predicts 2026: The Trends Service Providers Should Use to Grow Faster Next Year<br />
Pinterest Predicts 2026: The Trends Service Providers Should Use to Grow Faster Next Year<br />
Pinterest Predicts 2026: The Trends Service Providers Should Use to Grow Faster Next Year<br />

12. Afrohemian Decor

Bold, bright, natural decor that blends African and boho — think woven baskets, rich prints, cultural textiles, plants, and layered textures. Perfect for home-focused brands, photographers, or anyone leaning into warm, cultural, lived-in spaces.

13. Mystic Outlands

Fairytale meets fever dream: misty forests, castles, glowing mushrooms, moody landscapes, fantasy travel. Great for retreats, travel brands, spiritual/wellness businesses, and magical brand visuals.

14. FunHaus

Elevated circus energy — stripes, bold shapes, playful layouts, “big top” vibes without looking like a kids’ party. Amazing for brands that want to feel fun, quirky, and slightly chaotic in a good way.

15. Poetcore

Soft, bookish, writer energy — journals, fountain pens, stacks of books, cozy nooks, long coats, satchels. Ideal for copywriters, coaches, educators, and anyone whose brand leans thoughtful, introspective, or quietly powerful.

16. Throwback Kid

Nostalgic kids’ outfits and toys inspired by past decades. Simple play, bold colors, classic shapes. Perfect for family photographers, educators, kid-focused businesses, and brands talking to millennial parents.

17. Scent Stacking

Layered fragrances instead of one “signature” scent — people building custom combos with mists, perfumes, oils. Nice hook for beauty pros, self-care brands, and anyone talking about “building your unique vibe.”

18. Cabbage Crush

Cabbage is the new cauliflower. Tacos, dumplings, kimchi, slaws, soups, roasted sides — budget-friendly, pretty, and versatile. Great for wellness pros, nutritionists, food creators, or anyone using food in content.

19. Opera Aesthetic

Opulent, dramatic, night-at-the-opera energy. Floor-length dresses, velvet, pearls, gloves, dramatic lighting. Perfect for luxury brands, photographers, event pros, and anyone leaning glamorous.

20. Khaki Coded

Desert-inspired utility style — khaki, sand tones, structured outerwear, pockets, cargo, and field details. Great for brands that want to feel grounded, capable, practical, and outdoorsy.

21. Extra Celestial

Sci-fi inspired looks and environments — holographic textures, space-y shapes, metallic touches, “straight out of a sci-fi movie” visuals. Ideal for tech, creative businesses, futurist brands, or anyone playing with bold, dreamy visuals.

Why Service-Based Businesses Should Care

If you want leads in 2026, here’s the simple truth:

Trends influence what people click.
Clicks turn into traffic.
Traffic turns into leads.

Pinterest is a search engine — like Google — so it knows what people are thinking about and planning next. This isn’t “cute ideas for a vision board.” This is user intent.

Here’s why it matters for your business:

You can stand out with fresh, on-trend visuals

Small shifts — colors, shapes, textures — make your pins feel new and clickable.

You understand what people will be searching for

This helps you create content that answers the demand before it spikes.

You build offers, blogs, and videos aligned with what people want

Your content becomes “yes, THAT’S it” instead of “ehhh, maybe later.”

You position your brand as the one who “gets it”

You don’t need to follow all 21 trends.
Just pick a few that feel like you!

12. Afrohemian Decor Bold, bright, natural decor that blends African and boho — think woven baskets, rich prints, cultural textiles, plants, and layered textures. Perfect for home-focused brands, photographers, or anyone leaning into warm, cultural, lived-in spaces. 13. Mystic Outlands Fairytale meets fever dream: misty forests, castles, glowing mushrooms, moody landscapes, fantasy travel. Great for retreats, travel brands, spiritual/wellness businesses, and magical brand visuals. 14. FunHaus Elevated circus energy — stripes, bold shapes, playful layouts, “big top” vibes without looking like a kids’ party. Amazing for brands that want to feel fun, quirky, and slightly chaotic in a good way. 15. Poetcore Soft, bookish, writer energy — journals, fountain pens, stacks of books, cozy nooks, long coats, satchels. Ideal for copywriters, coaches, educators, and anyone whose brand leans thoughtful, introspective, or quietly powerful. 16. Throwback Kid Nostalgic kids’ outfits and toys inspired by past decades. Simple play, bold colors, classic shapes. Perfect for family photographers, educators, kid-focused businesses, and brands talking to millennial parents. 17. Scent Stacking Layered fragrances instead of one “signature” scent — people building custom combos with mists, perfumes, oils. Nice hook for beauty pros, self-care brands, and anyone talking about “building your unique vibe.” 18. Cabbage Crush Cabbage is the new cauliflower. Tacos, dumplings, kimchi, slaws, soups, roasted sides — budget-friendly, pretty, and versatile. Great for wellness pros, nutritionists, food creators, or anyone using food in content. 19. Opera Aesthetic Opulent, dramatic, night-at-the-opera energy. Floor-length dresses, velvet, pearls, gloves, dramatic lighting. Perfect for luxury brands, photographers, event pros, and anyone leaning glamorous. 20. Khaki Coded Desert-inspired utility style — khaki, sand tones, structured outerwear, pockets, cargo, and field details. Great for brands that want to feel grounded, capable, practical, and outdoorsy. 21. Extra Celestial Sci-fi inspired looks and environments — holographic textures, space-y shapes, metallic touches, “straight out of a sci-fi movie” visuals. Ideal for tech, creative businesses, futurist brands, or anyone playing with bold, dreamy visuals. Why Service-Based Businesses Should Care If you want leads in 2026, here’s the simple truth: Trends influence what people click. Clicks turn into traffic. Traffic turns into leads. Pinterest is a search engine — like Google — so it knows what people are thinking about and planning next. This isn’t “cute ideas for a vision board.” This is user intent. Here’s why it matters for your business: You can stand out with fresh, on-trend visuals Small shifts — colors, shapes, textures — make your pins feel new and clickable. You understand what people will be searching for This helps you create content that answers the demand before it spikes. You build offers, blogs, and videos aligned with what people want Your content becomes “yes, THAT’S it” instead of “ehhh, maybe later.” You position your brand as the one who “gets it” You don’t need to follow all 21 trends. Just pick a few that feel like you. Quick + Easy Ways Service Providers Can Use These Trends Don’t worry — you don’t need a full rebrand or a huge overhaul. Tiny shifts can make your brand feel current, fresh, and super clickable next year. Here are simple ways to use these 2026 trends in your business: Update Your Brand Visuals (Without Starting Over) You can add small touches from these trends to refresh your look: Use Cool Blue, Poetcore neutrals, or Neo Deco gold tones for header graphics, buttons, or banners. Try Fun Haus or Gimme Gummy shapes for playful backgrounds or pop-out elements. Incorporate Extra Celestial sparkles or soft gradients in highlight covers or Canva templates. These are tiny updates that make your brand feel aligned with where your audience is going. Refresh Your Website for 2026 A few simple swaps go a long way: Replace outdated stock photos with nature-forward, Wilderkind-inspired images or soft, airy Cool Blue photos. Add lace textures (Laced Up) or minimal Deco lines (Neo Deco) as subtle accents on section dividers. Use handwritten fonts or stationery-inspired elements (Pen Pals) for testimonials or blog graphics. Your site will feel modern without losing your core brand. Give Your Social Content a Trendy Twist You don’t need new ideas — just new styling: Try “perfectly imperfect” layouts for Reels or carousels inspired by Glitchy Glam. Use Throwback Kid nostalgia for before/after posts, storytelling, or brand history content. Add Opera Aesthetic drama (rich colors, bold type) to promo graphics or launch slides. Make fun, playful visuals using Fun Haus stripes or shapes. These small updates help your posts blend in with what people are already loving. Refresh Your Pinterest Strategy Pinterest LOVES trends — so give the algorithm what it wants. Build themed boards around trends your clients might search: Cool Blue Weddings, Poetcore Branding, Afrohemian Home Office Inspiration, or Adventure Sessions (Darecation). Use trend language in your pin titles and descriptions to match search intent. Add trend-inspired backgrounds or overlays to your pin templates. This makes your content more discoverable right away. Inspire Your Client Work These trends work great for photographers, coaches, wedding pros, designers, and creative service providers. Photographers → offer mini sessions with Opera Aesthetic, Extra Celestial, Poetcore, or Cool Blue styling. Wedding pros → create planning guides tied to Neo Deco, Extra Celestial, Cool Blue, or Laced Up themes. Coaches → use Pen Pals or Poetcore vibes for journaling prompts or mindset content. Designers → use Afrohemian, Neo Deco, or Hypertek palettes in branding projects. You get to show that your work is current and deeply in tune with what people want. Create Trend-Based Lead Magnets or Content A few ideas you can make in an afternoon: A “2026 Trend Mood Board” for your niche A guide: “How to Use Pinterest Trends in Your Service-Based Business” A Reel series where each video breaks down a trend in 20 seconds A blog on “Which 2026 Trend Fits Your Brand Personality?” People LOVE trend content because it’s easy to understand and fun to share. Don’t forget: Tiny tweaks create big reach. I want to thank Pinterest for compiling all this date Pinterest Predicts 2026: https://business.pinterest.com/pinterest-predicts/ Tactical Tips: https://business.pinterest.com/pinterest-predicts/for-businesses/#get-tactical-tips Playbook: https://business.pinterest.com/pdf/pinterest-predicts/2026-marketing-playbook/

Quick + Easy Ways Service Providers Can Use These Trends

Don’t worry — you don’t need a full rebrand or a huge overhaul. Tiny shifts can make your brand feel current, fresh, and super clickable next year.

Here are simple ways to use these 2026 trends in your business:

Update Your Brand Visuals (Without Starting Over)

You can add small touches from these trends to refresh your look:

  • Use Cool Blue, Poetcore neutrals, or Neo Deco gold tones for header graphics, buttons, or banners.
  • Try Fun Haus or Gimme Gummy shapes for playful backgrounds or pop-out elements.
  • Incorporate Extra Celestial sparkles or soft gradients in highlight covers or Canva templates.

These are tiny updates that make your brand feel aligned with where your audience is going.

Refresh Your Website for 2026

A few simple swaps go a long way:

  • Replace outdated stock photos with nature-forward, Wilderkind-inspired images or soft, airy Cool Blue photos.
  • Add lace textures (Laced Up) or minimal Deco lines (Neo Deco) as subtle accents on section dividers.
  • Use handwritten fonts or stationery-inspired elements (Pen Pals) for testimonials or blog graphics.

Your site will feel modern without losing your core brand.

Give Your Social Content a Trendy Twist

You don’t need new ideas — just new styling:

  • Try “perfectly imperfect” layouts for Reels or carousels inspired by Glitchy Glam.
  • Use Throwback Kid nostalgia for before/after posts, storytelling, or brand history content.
  • Add Opera Aesthetic drama (rich colors, bold type) to promo graphics or launch slides.
  • Make fun, playful visuals using Fun Haus stripes or shapes.

These small updates help your posts blend in with what people are already loving.

Refresh Your Pinterest Strategy

Pinterest LOVES trends — so give the algorithm what it wants.

  • Build themed boards around trends your clients might search: Cool Blue Weddings, Poetcore Branding, Afrohemian Home Office Inspiration, or Adventure Sessions (Darecation).
  • Use trend language in your pin titles and descriptions to match search intent.
  • Add trend-inspired backgrounds or overlays to your pin templates.

This makes your content more discoverable right away.

Inspire Your Client Work

These trends work great for photographers, coaches, wedding pros, designers, and creative service providers.

  • Photographers → offer mini sessions with Opera Aesthetic, Extra Celestial, Poetcore, or Cool Blue styling.
  • Wedding pros → create planning guides tied to Neo Deco, Extra Celestial, Cool Blue, or Laced Up themes.
  • Coaches → use Pen Pals or Poetcore vibes for journaling prompts or mindset content.
  • Designers → use Afrohemian, Neo Deco, or Hypertek palettes in branding projects.

You get to show that your work is current and deeply in tune with what people want.

Create Trend-Based Lead Magnets or Content

A few ideas you can make in an afternoon:

  • A “2026 Trend Mood Board” for your niche
  • A guide: “How to Use Pinterest Trends in Your Service-Based Business”
  • A Reel series where each video breaks down a trend in 20 seconds
  • A blog on “Which 2026 Trend Fits Your Brand Personality?”

People LOVE trend content because it’s easy to understand and fun to share.  Don’t forget: Tiny tweaks create big reach.

I want to thank Pinterest for compiling all this date

Pinterest Predicts 2026: https://business.pinterest.com/pinterest-predicts/ 

Tactical Tips: https://business.pinterest.com/pinterest-predicts/for-businesses/#get-tactical-tips 

Playbook: https://business.pinterest.com/pdf/pinterest-predicts/2026-marketing-playbook/ 

📌 DON’T FORGET TO PIN IT!

Pinterest Predicts 2026: The Trends Service Providers Should Use to Grow Faster Next Year<br />
Pinterest Predicts 2026: The Trends Service Providers Should Use to Grow Faster Next Year<br />
Pinterest Predicts 2026: The Trends Service Providers Should Use to Grow Faster Next Year<br />
Pinterest Predicts 2026: The Trends Service Providers Should Use to Grow Faster Next Year<br />
Pinterest Predicts 2026: The Trends Service Providers Should Use to Grow Faster Next Year<br />
Pinterest Predicts 2026: The Trends Service Providers Should Use to Grow Faster Next Year

Burnout-Proof Your Schedule: Simple Systems I Use to Protect My Energy (and My Business)

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Burnout-Proof Your Schedule: Simple Systems I Use to Protect My Energy (and My Business)

If you’re a female service provider who tends to work harder (hi, it’s me 🙋‍♀️), this episode is your reminder that smart beats frantic—every time. Today I’m sharing the exact ways I prevent burnout with calendar boundaries, meaningful rest, and tiny-but-mighty habits that keep me creative and consistent.

Calendar Boundaries that Actually Work

My calendar is my burnout protection device. I don’t take meetings before 9:00 AM (Pacific), and I rarely book after 2:00 PM because my brain just isn’t its best then. If a week feels crowded, I immediately block three or four 2-hour focus chunks for the following week.

I also theme my days: calls on Thursdays (podcast recordings included), client work on Mondays and Fridays, and I avoid stacking more than two podcast episodes back-to-back. Boundaries aren’t rigid—they’re adjustable. I review my calendar daily and move things forward if something isn’t working. That constant micro-adjusting keeps me from spiraling.

Batch Your Calls, Save Your Brain

Call days = call days. Work days = work days. When my brain knows what kind of day it is, I’m calmer, faster, and far more focused. Could I squeeze in “just one more” meeting? Sure. But every squeeze comes with a cost—usually lower quality thinking and a fried nervous system. Protect your best self for your clients by protecting your time.

The Power of Planned Time Off (Including Tuesdays)

I take Tuesdays off to be with my grandkids. Family time is my why. When I honor that, everything else in my business gets better. I also take longer stretches—two weeks when I can—because my best ideas appear when I’m not staring at my laptop. White space isn’t a luxury; it’s a business strategy.

You can also do what we talk about in the podcast as the miracle week.  This is taking all months that have 5 weeks and using that week to have ZERO meetings. Watch right here. This was life changing for me.

Self-Care That Fuels the CEO

I love an evening bath (pure relaxation), and I build in simple movement. I keep a walking pad under my desk so I can hop on for 10–15 minutes between tasks—especially when I notice my “I’m stressed so I’m holding my breath” cue. Movement clears the mental gunk and brings back my focus. Tiny pockets count.

Marketing Accelerator: Create Your Custom Marketing Workflow (with Me!)

Stop wasting hours trying to “figure out” marketing. In this 3-week 1:1 coaching experience, we’ll build your personalized workflow together — so you can finally market your business in a way that fits you. We’ll focus on Pinterest strategy, content that actually converts, and a simple workflow you can stick with. You’ll walk away with clarity, confidence, and a system that brings in leads while you live your life.  👉 Ready to work smarter (not harder)? Click that button!

Find Your Biz Bestie

Overwhelm shrinks when you have a business friend at a similar stage to reality-check you. When you’re “in the jar,” you can’t read the label. A quick Voxer to a trusted peer often reveals the obvious next step I couldn’t see.

Outsource Beyond Your Business

We talk about outsourcing in business, but personal outsourcing matters too. If grocery shopping drains you, Instacart can give you an hour back (and your sanity). If you thrive with guided workouts, hire the trainer. Get creative with budgets—trade, swap, or delegate to family. The goal is less friction, more ease.  You can get $10 off Instacart. Use my code JVAZQUEZ173F9 at checkout or follow this link. Terms apply.  

Plan Weekly, Choose Daily

Planning protects me from burnout. I brain dump tasks into one simple list.  I use ChatGPT by creating a project that just has all my task by This Week, This Month, and Someday, and each morning I choose my top three must-dos. Before I end my day, I tidy the list, delegate what isn’t mine, and remove what no longer matters. Weekly planning + daily choosing = consistent progress without panic.

Journal (or “Brainstorm”) the Stress Out

When I feel that breathless, overloaded feeling, I open a notebook and write down everything—business, personal, random ideas. Getting it out of my head calms my nervous system. If insomnia hits, I’ll do a quick midnight brain dump and fall asleep faster. Call it journaling or brainstorming—either way, it works.

Do More of What Lights You Up

As we grow, it’s easy to become the “do-everything” person. Make a list on your phone of what truly energizes you (for me: live education, this podcast, strategy). Then protect time to do those things—and schedule recovery time afterwards. The visionary work needs space.

Final Thought

Burnout isn’t a one-time fix. It’s ongoing awareness and small adjustments. Keep choosing the right kind of hard, the routines that restore you, and the work that lights you up. Your business—and your life—will feel lighter.

DON’T FORGET TO PIN IT 📌

Learn the exact calendar rules, call batching, and planning habits I use to protect energy and stay consistent—so growth feels easier. Save this for your weekly reset by Marketing Duo Podcast
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Clear mental fog with small movement bursts and simple self-care routines you can stack into your day—no gym commute required. Click for my go-tos on Marketing Duo Podcast
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My fast journaling/brainstorming process to sleep better, make clearer decisions, and calm the chaos. Pin this as your nightly wind-down reminder on Marketing Duo Podcast

When Business Gets Hard: How to Turn a Client Loss into a Creative Comeback

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When Business Gets Hard: How to Turn a Client Loss into a Creative Comeback

We’ve all had those gut-punch moments in business — when a client leaves, a launch flops, or the money feels tight.

Yep, I’ve been there too (more than once).

But here’s the truth: the difference between businesses that keep growing and those that stall isn’t avoiding problems — it’s knowing how to move through them calmly and creatively.

In this episode of The Marketing Duo Podcast, Cinthia from Digital Bloom IQ and I talk honestly about what happens behind the scenes when business gets bumpy — and how we turn those moments into momentum.

When Things Don’t Go Your Way

You know that feeling — the “I can’t breathe” panic when a client cancels or revenue drops.
The first thing I do? Step away.

I’ll go outside, grab a cup of tea, and give myself permission to feel it.
Then, I start thinking like a CEO again.

You can’t problem-solve from panic.
Once you give your nervous system a break, your creativity comes back online — and that’s when the best ideas show up.

Reframe the “Problem”

Cinthia shared a perfect example: one of her agency services wasn’t profitable. Instead of ditching it, she looked closer and found a tool that automated most of the manual work.

That “problem” turned into a better, more profitable service.

When things go sideways, ask yourself:

➡️ What’s the real issue here?
➡️ Is there a faster, easier, or smarter way to handle it?
➡️ Could this roadblock actually reveal an opportunity?

Sometimes the fix is already waiting for you — it just needed a shake-up to show itself.

Work Closest to the Dollar

When business slows down, I focus on what I can control.

Here’s my go-to plan:

  1. Cut unnecessary expenses. Do you really need that subscription or nice-to-have app? Simplify first.
  2. Reopen proven offers. For me, that means launching family mini-sessions or offering a limited-time promo on my go-to service.
  3. Follow up. I reach out to warm leads who said “not yet.” A friendly check-in can quickly turn into new bookings.

Those three moves instantly make me feel more grounded and back in charge.

Are You Overwhelmed By Social Media

If you’re tired of pouring hours into social media and still wondering where your next lead is coming from, you’re not alone. So many amazing business owners are feeling that same burnout. That’s exactly why we created The Quiet Growth Accelerator — a 12-week program that helps you simplify your marketing with SEO and Pinterest so your visibility grows quietly in the background. Doors close November 1st — join us and finally take a breath.

Marketing Momentum Starts Small

You don’t need a major launch to recover. One new blog post, a fresh Reel, or a podcast pitch can open new doors.

Even the tiniest action builds momentum.

And remember — discomfort often leads to innovation. When things get uncomfortable, that’s where creativity starts to bloom.

The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

Losing clients doesn’t mean you failed. It means you’re being invited to grow, adjust, and realign.

Sometimes, the business that comes after a loss is better than what came before.

So take a breath.
Look at your numbers.
Send that follow-up email.
And keep moving forward with confidence — you’ve got this.

Don’t forget to Pin it for later — because tough moments in business are easier when you’ve got a calm comeback plan waiting for you.

Pin with words: When Business Gets Hard: How to Turn a Client Loss into a Creative Comeback<br />
Pin with words: When Business Gets Hard: How to Turn a Client Loss into a Creative Comeback by Marketing Duo Podcast<br />
Pin with words: When Business Gets Hard: How to Turn a Client Loss into a Creative Comeback by Marketing Duo Podcast<br />
Pin with words: When Business Gets Hard: How to Turn a Client Loss into a Creative Comeback by Marketing Duo Podcast<br />
Pin with words: When Business Gets Hard: How to Turn a Client Loss into a Creative Comeback by Marketing Duo Podcast<br />

How to Handle Bad Google Reviews (Without Hurting Your Business)

How to Handle Bad Google Reviews (Without Hurting Your Business)

How to Handle Bad Google Reviews

We’ve all been there—your heart sinks the second you see that one-star review. It’s like a gut punch, right? But here’s the truth: negative reviews aren’t as bad as they seem. In fact, they can actually help your ranking on Google.

Google wants to see that you’re an active, legitimate business—and real businesses get all kinds of reviews, not just glowing ones. A mix of positive and negative reviews shows activity, credibility, and authenticity. As long as the majority of your feedback is good, a few bad ones can actually boost your visibility.

What Really Matters: How You Respond

As a consumer, I don’t immediately skip a business with bad reviews—I read them. What makes the biggest impression is how that business responds. Are they defensive or rude? Or do they show professionalism, empathy, and a willingness to make things right?

If someone leaves a negative review, thank them for the feedback (even if it’s hard to swallow). Respond with transparency, calmness, and care. Something like:

“Thanks so much for your feedback. We’ve reached out privately to make this right and appreciate you bringing it to our attention.”

That’s it—simple, thoughtful, and professional.

When Emotions Run High—Step Away

We all get triggered sometimes, especially when our business is personal. But emotional responses rarely help. If you feel charged, step away. Nothing is so urgent that you can’t take a few hours—or even a day—to cool down.

When you’re ready, use AI (yep, ChatGPT totally works here) to help you craft a neutral, polished response. You’ll be amazed how level-headed it can sound when your brain is still steaming.

Turning Reviews Into a Growth Strategy

Negative reviews can highlight opportunities for improvement—but positive reviews? Those are marketing gold. Don’t just wait for them to appear—ask for them!

Here’s what I do: every quarter, I reach out to clients whose results are shining (especially those with killer Pinterest analytics) and send them a direct review link from my Google Business Profile. I make it easy by including a few highlights they can copy and paste into their review.

Want to make it even easier? Give them a snippet from your last conversation or testimonial video and say:

“Would you mind pasting this into my Google Business Profile? Here’s the link!”

It takes them seconds, and the impact lasts for years.

Jen’s Photographer Hack: Reviews That Drive Bookings

When I was a wedding photographer, I used reviews strategically. I’d visit venues I loved, take photos, write a blog post about them, and then leave a Google review saying how beautiful the space was—complete with photos I’d taken.

Those images not only showcased my work but also linked me to that venue, which led to actual bookings. And because photos get “extra credit” in Google reviews, it helped boost my visibility too.

So whether you’re a local business or an online service provider—show up, stay active, and use reviews (good and bad) to your advantage.

Final Thoughts: Feedback = Visibility

At the end of the day, reviews—positive or negative—are signals that you’re visible, relevant, and worth talking about. So don’t fear them. Instead, use them as fuel to show your professionalism, your growth, and your commitment to serving your clients.

Negative reviews aren’t the end of the story—they’re just part of the journey.

DON’T FORGET TO PIN IT!

How to Handle Bad Reviews Like a Pro How to Handle Bad Google Reviews (Without Hurting Your Business) on Marketing Duo Podcast
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The Secret Power of Bad Reviews How to Handle Bad Google Reviews (Without Hurting Your Business) on Marketing Duo Podcast
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Do You Really Need to Be an Influencer to Grow Your Business?

Do You Have to Be an Influencer to Succeed?

If you’ve ever wondered, “Do I need to be an influencer to grow my business?” — you’re not alone. We hear this question all the time from service providers and business owners just starting out. It’s a big one. And the short answer? Nope, you don’t. But let’s break it down.

Why Video Still Matters (Even If You’re Camera-Shy)

In today’s marketing world, video is key. That doesn’t mean you need to be dancing on Reels or going viral every week. But people want to see real humans doing real things. That could be you—or someone else showing your product or service. Even faceless videos with voiceovers can build connection and trust.

The truth is, video gives your audience context. A clip of your product in use or someone sharing how your service helped them? That goes way further than just a static image.

What If I Hate Being on Camera?

We get it. Not everyone wants to be the face of their brand. And that’s okay! You can still create content that connects. Here are a few ways:

  • Use a voiceover with B-roll footage (your hands, your desk, your product)
  • Ask a friend or happy client to create a video for you (hello, UGC!)
  • Do a camera-facing video using a teleprompter app like BigVu—it makes things way easier

Just like learning to drive to a new place, showing up online feels awkward at first. But it gets easier the more you do it. You don’t need to post every day—you just need to start.

Pick the Type of Marketing That Lights You Up

If Instagram makes you cringe, try podcasting. If writing’s your jam, lean into blogging. You get to choose. Your only job is to make sure people can find you, and feel connected when they do.

And don’t forget: you can reuse content. One blog post can become a week’s worth of Reels. One client video can be repurposed across your site, email, and Pinterest. Content is a tool—use it in a way that works for you.

You’re Not a Full-Time Creator—You’re a Business Owner

At the end of the day, you’re not trying to go viral—you’re trying to get leads and grow your business. Influencer-style marketing isn’t required. But creating helpful, relatable, or inspiring content? That’s non-negotiable.

If your goal is connection, sales, and growth… then yes, you need content. But no, you don’t need to be an influencer.

DON’T FORGET TO PIN IT!

28 Do You Really Need to Be an Influencer to Grow Your Business on Marketing Duo Podcast
two cell phones one with instagram and one with tiktok 28 Do You Really Need to Be an Influencer to Grow Your Business on Marketing Duo Podcast
28 Do You Really Need to Be an Influencer to Grow Your Business on Marketing Duo Podcast
two cell phones one with tiktok and one with instagram 28 Do You Really Need to Be an Influencer to Grow Your Business on Marketing Duo Podcast
women holding up two fingers in a peace sign holding a cell phone up to her eye 28 Do You Really Need to Be an Influencer to Grow Your Business on Marketing Duo Podcast