How Freelancers & Solopreneurs Can Use Slow Seasons To Their Advantage

Forbes

09-07-2025

Freelancer works from home
Quiet periods of business shouldn't just be dead zones. They are opportunities for smart freelancers and solopreneurs to future-proof their businesses.
Rather than worrying about when or where the next lead will come in, you can use this time to intentionally build your personal brand, develop your skills, forge new relationships, create content, and make strategic moves that help to generate hot new leads and revenue for your business.
Read on for 10 ways to take advantage of a slow season:
1. Audit Your Business
It's time to give your business a thorough audit. Review everything from your systems, tools, and processes to marketing strategy and client service. Take note of what is working and what is not. What can you streamline, and what needs to be upgraded?
2. Update Your Digital Presence
Review every area of your digital marketing, from your social media profiles, website, and Google Business profile, to profiles on third-party websites such as freelancer directories. It's important these are all consistent, relevant to your current services and offerings, and have up-to-date contact information.
3. Content Strategy
It's a great time to double down on pushing out content that grows your personal brand, increases trust, and builds authority in your niche. If you're unsure where to start, focus on LinkedIn content first and then increase your activity across other platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and email newsletters.
4. Launch A New Service Or Offering
Is there something more you can offer to potential clients or customers? Do you find that clients ask for services you don't usually provide but have expertise in? If so, consider how you can offer another service or upsell a current client's scope of work.
Or, if you're looking to create a new revenue stream without increasing hands-on client work, create a digital product that you can sell on auto-pilot.
5. Create Or Update An Online Portfolio
Every freelancer or solopreneur needs a portfolio of work to show potential clients. It acts like a digital resume and can be a crucial factor when clients assess whether to work with you. You could add successful projects, case studies, and data on how the projects performed. There's a variety of tools available you could use, such as Canva, Notion, or Carrd.
6. Upskill And Develop Yourself
Learning new skills, keeping up-to-date with industry trends, implementing new technologies and AI tools, and investing in personal development is crucial for any freelancer or solopreneur. Workshops, online learning programs, and even platforms like YouTube can be excellent sources of information to learn from. To go a step further, team up with a mentor or coach to fast-track your growth.
7. Reconnect With Leads
Do you have leads that went silent? Unless you received a 'no', slow seasons are a great time to reach back out to leads and follow up on any proposals you sent. Potential clients are busy people who may have just forgotten to reply!
8. Re-Engage Past And Present Clients
Be sure to ask for testimonials from past or present clients and share these across your digital marketing channels. Don't be afraid to ask clients for recommendations and introductions to others in their network, too. Finally, ask if you can create a case study you can then showcase across your online portfolio and website.
9. Seek PR Opportunities
A great way to get your brand in front of new audiences is by leveraging the existing audiences of podcasts, business events, and conferences. Within your industry, are there podcasts looking for guests or conferences and local associations looking for speakers? LinkedIn, business-related Facebook groups, and networking sites like Meetup can be good places to source these opportunities.
10. Network Network Network
Even in the age of remote work and conference calls, in-person networking is still important for freelancers and solopreneurs. Attend industry events, conferences, and local networking groups. If you're feeling shy, you could start with webinars. Attending these helps to grow your personal brand, create new connections, and develop your interpersonal communication skills.
Slow seasons can be blessings in disguise for freelancers and solopreneurs - as long as you take action! Use this time to your advantage to create some wins for your business.