What Actually Works in Online Business Now: Insights for 2026

Online business keeps shifting—and in 2026, it’s a whole new world compared to “the early days.” In the latest episode of the Her Empire Builder Show, Tina Tower dishes out hard truths and actionable advice on what’s really driving results right now. Forget outdated strategies; it’s time for transformation, deeper connection, and smarter tech.

The Death of the “Old School” 2K Course

Remember the era of pre-recorded eight-week, $2,000 online courses and high-pressure launches? Tina Tower calls it: That strategy is “no longer viable.” The audience has evolved, and so have their expectations. Generic courses and pushy tactics can’t cut through in today’s saturated market.

Why “Transformation Over Information” Is Key

Sure, AI like ChatGPT makes it easy to pull up info on almost anything—but what people crave is guidance. They want a trusted expert to distill that mountain of information into something actionable, relevant, and tailored for them. As Tina Tower says, “People don’t want another course. What they want is results.”

Offer transformation: Clearly articulate the before and after your program delivers.
Build authentic connection: Community and human touch matter more than ever.
Create experiences, not just lessons.

AI: Friend, Not Foe

AI isn’t going anywhere, and Tina Tower encourages business owners to embrace it. Use AI tools for:

• Content creation

• Personalizing nurture sequences

• Segmenting leads

• Enhancing sales pages

  
  

  The trick? Pair automation with a strong personal brand. “Personality will win every single time,”

  Tina Tower

  emphasizes. Don’t let your message get lost in vanilla, generic content.

Intimate — and Scalable — Experiences

Scalable offers don’t have to feel impersonal. Leverage technology to run live Q&As, virtual networking, accountability pods, and even in-person events. Yes, it takes effort, but the payoff is massive in retention and customer happiness.

Always-On Sales (With a Side of Live Launch Magic)

Both evergreen and live launch funnels matter. Evergreen brings stability, while live launches deliver energy and high conversion. But “build it and they will come” isn’t a strategy—always-on systems need active traffic and attention.

Aligning Growth With Lifestyle

With smarter technology, you don’t need to hustle endlessly. Focus on quality over quantity, free up time for deep work and creativity, and build a business that supports your life—not the other way around.

Practical Next Steps

• Simplify your offer suite. Cut the fluff, keep what gets results.

• Review your marketing: Is it focused on transformation, not just information?

• Audit your tech stack: Take full advantage of new AI features with tools like Delphi, Kajabi, and Riverside.

• Block in time for creative thinking and deep work.

Online business isn’t dead. It’s just growing up. As Tina Tower reminds us, if you keep your focus on truly serving people, embrace the tech that can help, and lean into your authentic self, you’re set for success in 2026 and beyond.