Mid-Month Check-In: A Complete Off-Season Reset for Business Owners
If the start of the year has felt heavy, you’re not imagining it. The holiday season can take a lot out of us mentally, emotionally, and honestly… financially too. My hope is that you’ve had at least a small window to pause and catch your breath.
Being home has given me time to reflect, and I keep thinking about how fitting this season is for slowing down. January and February have always been my quieter months. I’ve been in business for almost nine years now, and this time of year typically looks like less shooting and more behind-the-scenes work.
During my off-seasons, I like to use the time to refresh my business, get ahead before the busy months hit, and honestly just clean house (business edition). It’s the season of getting things in order.
Instead of waiting until you’re overwhelmed, here are ten things I recommend reviewing now so you’re not scrambling later. Take advantage of the slow season and reset with intention.
1. Review your customer journey
Take a close look at how someone goes from discovering you to booking or buying from you. Where can you add more ease? Where might someone feel confused or frustrated?
Buying from you should not feel like neuroscience. It should be simple, clear, and straight to the point.
Bonus: Ask someone you trust (and who will be honest) to go through your process as if they were a customer and give you real feedback.
2. Review your contracts, policies, and terms & conditions
Think back on your experiences with clients last year. Were there moments of confusion around expectations, payments, cancellations, or deliverables?
If so, this is your sign to clean things up. Your policies should be clear, direct, and easy to understand — for both you and your clients.
Side note: any time confusion comes up, update your policies immediately. Don’t wait until the end of the year.
3. Review your website
Your website should be working for you, not against you. Small updates here can make a big difference in visibility and conversions.
During the off-season, take time to:
Check that all links are working
Update or refresh blog content
Swap out outdated photos
Review your lead magnet (if no one is signing up, it needs to change)
Update your SEO
4. Review your pricing and packages
If an offer isn’t selling, it’s data — not failure. Something likely needs adjusting.
Pay attention to patterns. If clients consistently choose your middle package, it may be time to make that your entry-level option and introduce a higher-priced package. There is always someone who wants more than the average. Make sure you’re giving them a place to land.
5. Clean out your email list
Go through your email marketing platform and review engagement. Inactive subscribers hurt your deliverability, and depending on your platform, they may also be costing you money.
Look at who hasn’t opened emails in a while and do one of two things:
Create a win-back campaign
Remove them from your list
6. Update your Google My Business profile
Make sure your location, hours, and contact information are accurate. Add new photos and invite past clients to leave fresh reviews.
Consistent updates signal to Google that your business is active, which helps with visibility and local SEO.
7. Plan and strategize before things get busy
Use this time to set direction. Create your yearly and quarterly goals. Revisit who you want to serve and refine your offers accordingly.
Clarity now makes decision-making easier later.
8. Do a financial check-in
Review both your personal and business finances. Audit what you’re spending, your revenue, expenses, subscriptions, and tools you no longer need.
Look at the profitability of each offer. Are you saving and investing for your future self? Do you need additional support from an accountant or financial advisor?
Financial clarity is a form of self-care.
9. Clean up the back end of your business
Review your CRM, automations, and workflows. Make sure links are working, emails are current, and everything aligns with how you want your business to run this year.
A clean backend creates a smoother client experience — and less mental load for you.
10. Do a personal reset (business owner edition)
Because your business doesn’t function without you.
Check in on:
Your energy
Your boundaries
Your workload
Systems that support rest
What you’re no longer available for
Taking care of yourself is part of taking care of your business.
The off-season isn’t about doing more or sitting around frustrated because business feels slow. I don’t know a single industry that doesn’t experience a slower season — so you’re not behind, and you’re not alone.
Use this time to breathe, reflect, set goals, and refresh your systems so the next season feels lighter and more aligned.
Additional Help
And if you're ready to deepen your content strategy, grow your brand, or join a community designed to support your business through every season, I’d love to have you inside The Everyday Bloom Circle.
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