Are you experiencing a Summer slump? 🏖️
Here's how freelancers can stay afloat during quiet periods
There’s a lot of chat about the “summer slump” in freelancing. Some people swear by it. Others have no idea what you’re on about. Truth is, July and August can go a bit quiet, especially if your clients are all off in Italy or suddenly go dark on ‘working trip’ to France.
But quieter doesn’t have to mean worse. If you’re a freelancer, here’s how to ride the wave, avoid the panic, and use summer to build momentum, not lose it.
☀️ First up: Is the summer slump even real?
Yes and no. Some industries genuinely slow down over summer. Others ramp up (festivals, travel, food and drink, and retail all keep going strong). Don’t panic if your inbox isn’t pinging every five minutes. It doesn’t necessarily mean you are having a quiet month - it might just be the season.
💪 How to stay valuable when your clients are on holiday
1. Be the person who keeps things moving
If a client’s off for two weeks, don’t ghost the project - keep it warm. Can you draft something for sign-off when they’re back? Prep for a September launch? Do the “unsexy” work that gets pushed down the to-do list?
Keep communicating, keep delivering, and you’ll stand out as someone reliable, even when everyone else is switching off.
2. Make yourself indispensable
Offer to help with planning, social scheduling, or content prep for quieter periods. Clients love knowing they’ll come back to a clean inbox and a pile of approved content ready to go. If you’re proactive now, they’ll remember it come budget time.
3. Share updates and ideas
Spotted a trend? Got thoughts on the brand’s next move? Now’s the time to send that low-key-but-smart check-in email. It shows you’re thinking about their brand even when it’s quiet, and keeps you front of mind.
🧠 Use your free time wisely
1. Refine your offering
Are your rates up to date? Is your portfolio looking tired? Do people know what you do? Take time to review your services, refresh your website or Notion, and make sure your best work is easy to find.
2. Ask for feedback
Quick message to recent clients: “Hey! I’d love your thoughts on what it was like working together - anything I could improve or do more of?” A good bit of feedback is gold, and it might even lead to more work.
3. Schedule your own outreach
Summer’s the perfect time to plant some seeds. Reconnect with old contacts, drop a note to that agency you’ve always wanted to work with, or post something that reminds people you’re open for bookings. You don’t have to go full LinkedIn Influencer™, just a little reminder that you exist.
4. Level up your way
Got a skill you’ve been meaning to learn? A book you’ve been putting off? A TikTok strategy you’ve been meaning to test? Now’s the time. Low pressure, just vibes - but all helping you hit September with fresh energy.
🧃And finally... enjoy the slow moments
If you’ve got breathing room, don’t fill it just for the sake of it. Go outside. Take a day off. Remember why you went freelance in the first place. You don’t have to be productive all the time to be valuable.
You’ve got this. September will be here soon, and if you’ve played it right, you’ll hit the ground running.