7 Things You Can Do In Your Business When You’re In A Slow Period

As freelancers there will be ebbs and flows of business, some of them will be welcome, and others may not be. There will also be times when these waves come at us like tidal waves–here’s a new project offer, 4 lead calls, a speaking opportunity, another project support request; and on the flip side, things might dry up as quickly as the grass in south east Queensland in Spring. 

When building our businesses, we often hear about ensuring that we have savings, and having a buffer of funds. This comes down to pricing our services in a way that covers our operating costs, taxes, and allows for a ‘wage’ to be provided. If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend getting a copy of Profit First and an accountant who understands that method, AND also the intricacies of a digital business.

While we’re in the peak period of business, we have a need to keep our marketing efforts going, so that when we’re in the valleys we have that build up of interest in our pipeline. And then when we are on that slight decline we don’t start fretting about what’s around the next bend.

There are always things that need doing in our own businesses, and the slow periods provide that little bit of breathing space to be able to do so.

1. Organise Digital Files & Folders

• Clear out cluttered drives (Downloads folder–I’m looking at you..), organise files with consistent naming conventions (this will also help in the future for scalability), and create a logical structure for easy access.
• Consider creating templates for common documents and saving frequently used resources in one place.

2. Review & Update SOPs

• Use this time to create or tighten up your Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for clarity and efficiency.
• Update steps, checklists, and workflows to reflect any changes and make future scaling easier–and then there’s the benefit that these can also help with sellability.

3. Automate Repetitive Tasks

• Look for tasks that can be automated, like email follow-ups, appointment reminders, or recurring invoices.
• Use tools like Zapier or schedule social posts in advance to save time.

4. Refine Client Onboarding & Offboarding Processes

• Map out each step to create a seamless client experience from start to finish. Improve any areas that felt clunky in the past, and ensure communication points are clear and consistent.

6. Review & Update Your Marketing Content

• Refresh your website, update LinkedIn, and make sure your services and messaging reflect your current focus.

“Review your website! Are all your services/prices/terms current? Does the copy reflect your current brand, values, and ideal client? Do all your links work?” Tahlia Meredith, The Melbourne Freelancer.

• Plan or create new content that showcases your expertise and builds connection.

5. Attend Networking Events or Online Communities

• Use the extra time to build relationships and make connections. Join online communities, attend local business meetups, or look for virtual networking events in your industry.

7. Invest [Time] in Professional Development

• Take a course, attend a webinar, or read a book relevant to your industry. Lulls are a great time to add new skills, gain fresh perspectives, and add value to your offerings.