As we dive into the final quarter of 2024, it’s time for small business owners to start planning for a powerful 2025. Planning and getting things ready in Q4 is make or break for Q1 the following year. It’s crazy how the most important time of the year for your businesses success is the last quarter of the year because if you don’t lay the groundwork now, you run the risk of running your business with a “wing-it” mentality (again) the next year.

Now, before we jump in, this is the framework of my checklist to give you the base essentials for Small Business Growth, that I personally run for my business that targets small business entrepreneurs. Yours may be slightly be different, but I promise you, all of these will be the fundamental groundwork you need to have in place before the year 2025 begins.

Get Your Business Planning in Order

When it comes to your business plan, you need to include everything for the year. This way, your marketing team (or you if you’re a one-man-show) knows exactly when they need to have marketing material finished so that each event, product launch or anything you’re marketing really, can be set up on the calendar, leaving nothing to slip through the cracks. This plan should include your target audience details, numbers, quarterly goals, new hire goals, and sooooo much more. My 3 key topics that are the very base of what I do when working with my clients are:

• What are your revenue and growth targets? From there, we figure out how many of each of your preferred products or services you need to sell per week in order to attain that goal per quarter. Because if you don’t know your goal weekly metrics, you shouldn’t be running a business at all.
• Do you need to streamline operations? I can’t stress enough how important operations are. If you already have your finances done, operations hands down is more important than anything else because it’s your client/customer experience.
• Are there new products, services, or markets you want to explore? If you’re venturing off into a new realm, your brand might need a little tweaking. This is a good time to really think about this as it may change the overall structure of your brand and business.

Aligning your planning now ensures you’re ahead of the game come January, with a clear path forward! If this is something you’d like some assistance with, I’d love to work with you! We’ll walk through my Q4 small business checklist together and I’ll help guide you with my thoughts and maybe some strategies that might spark the light you were needing.

Reevaluate Your Brand Mission

Does your brand mission still align with your vision for 2025? If you’ve evolved or shifted in any way, your mission should reflect that. Clarity on your mission not only strengthens your messaging but keeps you focused on what matters most to your ideal target audience. Take this time to ask:

• Is my brand still aligned with where I want to take my company?
• Does my mission speak to my target audience today? By starting with your mission, you ensure all your business elements–from marketing to customer experience–stay consistent and impactful.

Audit Your Website Design and Copy

Your website is more than a digital business card–it’s your most powerful marketing tool working for you on autopilot. With 2025 on the horizon, ask:

• Does my website take my clients on a clear, intentional journey?
• Is it helping or hindering conversion?
• Does it align with my brand’s evolving voice?

A well-designed website should work for you even when you’re not actively managing it, leading visitors effortlessly from awareness to conversion.

Clarify Your Brand Suite

A brand suite goes far beyond just a logo. It’s the cohesive collection of your brand’s visual identity, messaging, and the way your brand communicates. A great way in figuring this out is by figuring out your brand pillars (👈click that link for my free workbook to figure out yours). Ask yourself:

• Does my brand suite clearly represent who we’re trying to attract?
• Are my colors, fonts, imagery, and voice consistent across all platforms?
• Does this suite feel cohesive with my brand missions’ voice and ideal client?

When you have clarity in your brand suite, your marketing efforts become far more effective and easier to manage. Whether it’s updating your logo or refreshing your brand colors, this is a crucial step to ensure you start 2025 strong.

Ramp Up with a Brand Content Photoshoot

Nothing says “professional” like high-quality visuals that resonate with your target audience. As you look ahead to 2025, it’s important to rally your platforms for those end-of-year sales goals and beyond. A brand content photoshoot gives you fresh visuals that can be used across all platforms–social media, website, email marketing, blogging (just to name a few)–to keep your messaging aligned and your presence strong.

Whether you’re running holiday promotions or setting up your business for next year, new, professional images that speak to your brand and express your voice, mission and strengths, will help you stand out from the competition and keep your audience engaged. The best way to do this 👇

Snag our Shot List gift (👈 click “shot list”) and get to plugging away! Your photographer will thank you! If you live here in the Kansas City area, please don’t hesitate to reach out for our all-inclusive photoshoot coordination services at EVOLVE KC! We’d love to work with you!

Finish 2024 Strong–Start 2025 Even Stronger

Ready to start checking off this Q4 checklist and build momentum for a stellar 2025? At BIBRC, we specialize in helping businesses like yours with financial mapping, brand strategy, website design, and brand content photoshoots that get results. Whether you’re looking to fine-tune one aspect of your brand or need an overhaul for the new year, we’re here to help!

Let’s chat! Book a free strategy call with us today, and let’s get clear on your next steps to start 2025 off with a bang. Click here to schedule your call and get your business ready for its best freakin year yet!