> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://blog.annabyang.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Your Solo Business Quarterly Check-In - URL: https://blog.annabyang.com/quarterly-check-in/ - Published: 2025-06-30T15:15:25.000Z - Updated: 2026-03-13T08:10:43.000Z - Description: Tips for reviewing your business health. - Author: Anna Burgess Yang - Tags: Habits & Goals Think of all the maintenance-type items on your to-do list. Haircuts. Going to the dentist. Spring cleaning. Tasks designed to keep things in order or keep your life running smoothly. Your one-person business also needs regular maintenance, which includes a quarterly check-in. You need to spend some time evaluating what's working and what isn't. The way to do that is to look at actual data — something many solopreneurs put on the back burner. Your quarterly check-in doesn't need to be complicated. You can create a checklist of things to review and spend a few hours gathering information and reflecting. But the check-in is a way to make sure you're moving toward your [business goals](https://blog.annabyang.com/business-mindset/)on (instead of just staying busy). ## How to prepare for your quarterly check-in I have my quarterly check-in blocked off on my calendar, so that I don't skip it or schedule something else during that time. It's planned for a few days after the end of a quarter. I spend about half a day on my check-in, but you could spend more or less, depending on the complexity of your business. I'm a big fan of [90-day goals](https://blog.annabyang.com/90-day-goals/). Ninety days gives me enough time to try something new or experiment, while still seeing progress. With some metrics, I'm tracking information along the way (like how much I earn from digital products), but I review results at the 90-day mark. A quarterly check-in also helps you catch small issues before they turn into bigger problems. For example, let's say your client pipleline isn't as healthy as it used to be. During a quarterly check-in, you can try to assess what's happening. Is it external factors, like the economy? Has the market shifted? Did you change the way you [market yourself](https://blog.annabyang.com/solopreneur-self-promotion/)? By asking yourself questions about your business during your quarterly check-in, you can strategize for the next quarter. ## The 3 key areas to review each quarter Not sure where to start with your quarterly review? All businesses have a few things in common: financial performance, growth, and goals. While the exact data you review *within* these categories might vary, they're a good foundation for your review. ### Financial performance Your [business revenue](https://blog.annabyang.com/foundational-revenue/) is one of the top indicators of financial health. During your quarterly review, look at the following: - How much you earned and how much you spent - How much you're paying for tools and if they're all still necessary - The customers you gained and lost in the quarter and the impact on your income With customers gained, I also look at the source (such as an inbound inquiry through my website or a referral). That data informs my business strategy, because I can spend more time on the tactics that drive new business. (I keep track of my pipeline in [Airtable](https://airtable.com/invite/r/UCwrdMYa?ref=blog.annabyang.com) *\[affiliate link\].)* I also keep track of how much clients are paying me and review that data. Over time, I've [raised my rates](https://blog.annabyang.com/charge-for-your-knowledge/) so I can compare my earnings in one quarter to the same quarter in the prior year. [How to Build a Sustainable Business as a FreelancerEscape the hustle and grind of freelancing.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/e9/fee9a30d-4c70-4bd2-af95-fe6abc8afd29/content/images/icon/annabyang-logo-light-orange-110.png)Anna Burgess YangAnna Burgess Yang![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/e9/fee9a30d-4c70-4bd2-af95-fe6abc8afd29/content/images/thumbnail/annabyang-sustainable-freelance-business-2.jpg)](https://blog.annabyang.com/sustainable-freelance-business/) ### Growth In the "growth" category, I focus on my online presence. However, if your business model is different, you might also look at customers gained/lost as a metric of growth. I look at: - Website traffic - Followers and engagement across my social profiles - Downloads of free resources - Newsletter growth If you're trying to grow a social presence, it's *really* easy to beat yourself up in this category. You can't control the algorithms, and they can change on a dime. What you *should* try to figure out is what's working and what isn't. For example, video content is on the rise pretty much everywhere. If you've seen a dip in your reach, do you want to try video content? Or do you want to try something else? During your quarterly check-in, decide if you want to experiment during the following quarter. If you stick to it, 90 days is a really good indicator of whether something is working or not. ### Goals Every quarter, I set some 90-day goals. Usually, this includes something new I want to launch (like a free resource), and an investment I want to make in my business (such as spending money on equipment or a course). During my review, I look at my list of goals and ask myself: Did I meet them? If not, why? Sometimes, my priorities simply shift, and the goal I'd set no longer makes sense. In those cases, I have to decide if I want to add the goal to my plans in a future quarter or remove it from my list entirely. ### Bonus: How are YOU doing? Don't forget to consider how YOU feel during your 90-day check-in. How are you doing? Do you [feel overwhelmed](https://blog.annabyang.com/single-tasking-strategies/)? Do you feel good about your business? Or do you feel stuck? How you feel should influence your next quarter's goals, a lot. If you're overwhelmed, you might need to pull back on certain things. You could also hire a virtual assistant or learn how to use automation. If you're feelings are more existential (such as "Am I happy doing this work?"), you should take time to reflect. Ask yourself what your ideal business looks like. And what steps you need to take to move in that direction. ## Tips to stay on track between check-ins There are a few things you can do in between my quarterly check-ins, mostly to make the check-in day easier. - Setting aside [one day per month](https://blog.annabyang.com/deep-work/) for bigger projects - A [Notion](https://affiliate.notion.so/annabyang?ref=blog.annabyang.com) dashboard *\[affiliate link\]* or something similar to track my growth metrics and goals - An accountability partner who can cheer you on You don't want to obsess over metrics in between your check-ins. Think of this more like "information gathering." If you collect your numbers throughout the quarter, you can spend more time reflecting during your check-in instead of doing admin-type work. ## Create a quarterly check-in template To make the most of your quarterly check-in, create a checklist for yourself. On this checklist, add the data you want to review and the quarterly check-in questions you want to ask yourself. That way, you can follow the same process every time. Don't over-stuff your checklist (unless you want to spend an entire day reviewing your business). Instead, focus on the things that actually matter and impact your business outcomes. --- *Need some quarterly checklist inspiration? You can download my* [*quarterly planning checklist*](https://pages.annabyang.com/quarterly?ref=blog.annabyang.com) *template.* 🔗 **\*Affiliate link: I may earn a small commission if you use sign up, at no extra cost to you.*