18 July 2025
As a freelancer, business can get tough when the industry slows down and you are still ready to go, especially when your workflow and your income depend on it. When the low season comes around, odds are good that the perfect email you have spent hours crafting is met with an out-of-office reply.
How and when a client replies is out of your hands, particularly if they are attending to other business or personal matters. Instead of viewing quiet periods as setbacks, freelancers can use this time strategically to reset, reflect and rebuild. Whether it’s nurturing relationships, refining your business model or simply taking a well-deserved break, there are practical ways to turn the low season into an opportunity.
Plan ahead for the new season
If you are experiencing a low season, use that as a basis to help create your forecast for the following year. Keep track of the projects and income that you have coming in, as well as the expenses that you must cover from your income. This way, when you are in your peak season, you will have an idea of how much you should be reserving for season savings, so that by the time next season comes around, it won’t feel like a gut punch if or when the work slows down.
Building relationships
Because you are facing a low season, it doesn’t mean you can’t spend some time getting to know others with whom you would like to collaborate with. Ask to get coffee with a potential client whom you think your services could be of added value to. Take the time to research new companies and prepare your pitch, so that you will be well-prepared when the busy season arrives.
Exchange your services
If there is an area of your portfolio that could use some improvement, use this as an opportunity to offer your services to a local business you like but know could benefit from a boost with their website, social media or any other aspect. You can offer services to a local business in exchange for a free membership or help out a non-profit organisation with a mission you believe in.
Ask to raise your rates
One potential solution to seasonal time money woes is asking to raise your rates. If you have a consistent client for whom you have been delivering high-quality work for a long time, now may be the time to make the business case for raising your rates. If they say it is not a good time, create a timeline for when the conversation could be revisited; if they are entirely resistant to the conversation, consider casting a wider net for new clients.
Take a break
If everyone else is taking a break, maybe you should too. Finally enjoy that vacation you have been putting off — or make it a staycation. The important thing is to use the time to your advantage, taking time to rest and recharge. Don’t forget that if you are going somewhere on vacation and will be able to use the trip for work or conduct business while there, you may be able to write it off on your taxes. This time is not just a break, it’s an investment in your well-being and future productivity.
A seasonal slowdown doesn’t have to be a setback — it can be a setup for future success. By using this time to plan, build new connections, revisit your pricing or even rest and recharge, you position yourself to thrive when work picks up again. The key is to be intentional with your downtime and treat it as a vital part of your freelancing journey. Low season or not, every phase offers value — and it’s up to you to make the most of it.
Ref: www.freelancersunion.org www.uasaip.co.za