Nine Years of Applejack Marketing – What’s Changed, What Hasn’t, and What Comes Next?

This month, Applejack Marketing turns 9 years old, I can hardly believe it!  From the early days of helping small businesses find their feet online, to now offering full-service website design, digital consultancy, and training programs, we’ve seen the marketing landscape shift in ways no one could have predicted.

The changes over the years

When we started in 2016, Instagram Stories didn’t exist. TikTok wasn’t even on the radar. Facebook was still the dominant force in social media, and AI felt like something from a distant future, not a tool built into everyday marketing. Fast-forward to today, and we’re advising clients on everything from ChatGPT prompts to TikTok content strategies. The tools have evolved rapidly, and dramatically.

We’ve also witnessed the rise (and fall) of platforms. Some that once ruled are now footnotes, while others have emerged and transformed how people consume and create. Meanwhile, audiences have become savvy. Clients, students, and even casual users now bring a far deeper understanding of digital channels than they did a decade ago. That means our training has had to level up by always staying ahead, always adapting.

Some things haven’t changed at all

The core principles of marketing still matter. Understanding your audience, crafting a clear message. Building trust. Showing up consistently. These are the foundations that have guided everything we do at Applejack Marketing, from designing websites that convert, to running workshops that empower small teams to take control of their digital presence.

And while the channels and tools will continue to evolve, our mission remains the same: to help people and businesses communicate better, grow smarter, and feel more confident in the digital world.

As we celebrate this milestone, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to every client who trusted us with their brand, every learner who joined our sessions with curiosity and drive, and every supporter who’s cheered us on along the way.  Your belief in our work is what’s made these nine years so meaningful and what fuels us as we look to the future.

Here’s to hitting the 10-year mark in 2026 (hopefully), with new tools in hand, stronger partnerships, and the same passion that started it all.

With gratitude
Joanne.