138: How to Plan Q4 for Your Business Without the Year-End Panic

The pumpkins are out, the goals you wrote down in January are staring back at you, and Q4 starts October 1st. If you're a Christian woman entrepreneur wondering what's still worth doing before the year ends, this is the Q4 planning for small business rhythm I come back to every fall. It'll help you finish this year well and lay the groundwork for next year while there's still time to act on it. Grab a notebook. This one comes with action steps. What you'll learn Why looking back comes first, and how an Ebenezer stone turns a simple wins list into worship The two-column exercise that sorts what's left into Still Aligned and Let It Go, plus a way to save next-year ideas without losing them A one-hour year-end brand check: where your best clients came from, what your website still says about you, and how to collect testimonials that actually sell What October, November, and December are each good for, including how to decide about Black Friday well before Thanksgiving night Why a rebrand or new website for next year needs a decision in Q4 Episode highlights Timestamps are estimates. Check them against the final edited audio. [00:00] Fall in Texas and the "where did the year go?" feeling [02:00] Welcome, and the one question this episode hangs on [04:30] Step 1: Look back first, with Samuel's Ebenezer stone and your three wins [08:00] Step 2: Still Aligned or Let It Go, and permission to mourn what didn't work out [11:30] Step 3: The year-end brand check, from client sources to testimonials [15:30] Step 4: October to build, November to serve, December to rest [20:30] Step 5: Three intentions, what God did in my business this year, and a recap Q4 planning for small business: questions this episode answers When should I start planning next year? In Q4. Waiting until December or the second week of January means you're planning from exhaustion, and a strong first quarter needs groundwork laid in the fall. Is December a slow month for sales? Not for everyone. People who want to start the new year with a new brand or website are researching in November and December, so your website needs to be ready to meet them. When should I book a rebrand or new website? If it's on next year's list, decide in Q4. Designers book out ahead, and you don't want a brand project landing on top of your busiest season. Quote to remember "Moving something to the right-hand column is clarity, and clarity is progress." Resources mentioned 1 Samuel 7:12, the Ebenezer stone "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" (the hymn line "Here I raise my Ebenezer") Free Brand Audit Scorecard: jantouchberry.com/scorecard Your next step Ready to turn your notes into a real plan? Grab the free Q4 planning guide and map out the last three months of your year. Get the Q4 planning guide: jantouchberry.com/q4planning Want to see how your brand and website are holding up before next year? Take the free Brand Audit Scorecard: jantouchberry.com/scorecard CONNECT WITH JAN: Here are all the best places and FREE stuff 👇🏻 Grab your ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FREE DOWNLOAD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠S Subscribe to the newsletter FIND ME HERE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - JanToucberry.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - @jantouchberry JOIN THE CONVO: We’d love to hear your thoughts on the episode and its impact on your journey. Use the hashtag #HerFaithAtWork and tag us for a chance to be featured in our next episode. ABOUT THE HOST: Jan Touchberry is a brand strategist, marketing consultant, and founder of The Brand Collaborative. She helps women entrepreneurs build profitable businesses with clear messaging, strategic funnels, and aligned visibility.Grab The Visibility Vault - a 5 module training with workbook for a clearer path to consistent sales. Interact Quizzes - What I use to build all my quiz lead magnets on.* Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my link when you sign up.* Get 25% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.* Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my business.* Tired of freebies that flop - grab this resource and level up your game. Get more clear on who your brand serves: Ideal Client Workbook *Some are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.