Your Guide to Navigating Freelance Downtime
Top tips for when times get quiet... eerily quiet
If you’ve been freelancing for more than five minutes, you’ll know that the quiet periods always feel worse than they actually are.
When you're stacked with projects, it’s easy to believe the good times will last forever. When you're sitting there refreshing your inbox at 10am with nothing but a “circling back” email for company, it's equally easy to spiral into thinking you’ll never work again.
First things first: don’t panic.
Freelancing is, by its very nature, a feast or famine cycle. You are not doing anything wrong. Every freelancer – even the ones who seem like they’re constantly posting about new projects – has dry spells. They just don’t talk about them publicly.
Quiet months can knock your confidence. But they are normal. They are part of the job. And they will pass.
Build a Financial Safety Net – Or a Backup Plan
You'll often hear people say you should have 3–6 months' worth of living costs saved before you go freelance. That’s solid advice. But let's be honest: in 2025, with the cost of living where it is, that isn’t always realistic.
So, if you're not sitting on a big safety net, the next best thing is to create a low-pressure way to make money in between projects.
That could be:
Part-time hospitality shifts
Temping in offices
Retail work at weekends
Freelance admin work for other small businesses
Dog walking or childcare
Selling a skill (like tutoring, coaching, or event support)
This doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re smart. It keeps the lights on without forcing you into full-blown panic mode. It means you’re less likely to say yes to bad-fit freelance work, or undercharge just to get money in the door.
It also gives you the headspace to make better strategic decisions: pitching for the right kind of work, not just grabbing whatever lands in your inbox.
If your goal is sustainable freelance success, short-term security matters more than maintaining the illusion that you’re “busy” all the time.
Network Like It’s Your Job (Because It Is)
When things go quiet, the best thing you can do is tell everyone you know that you're available for work.
Be shameless. Send a quick message to old colleagues. Post on LinkedIn. Email old clients. Tell your mates down the pub. Reach out to that recruiter you spoke to last year. Ask other freelancers if they know anyone looking.
Freelance work isn’t a formal hiring process most of the time. It's a game of who knows you're available, and when.
Nobody will think you're desperate for saying you’re looking. Most people are busy worrying about their own work (or lack of it). And most people actually want to help if they can – they just need the nudge.
If you can, make it specific. Instead of just saying, “I’m free if anyone needs anything!” try:
"I’m looking for freelance social media strategy work, ideally project-based or 2–3 days a week."
"I’ve got availability for UX writing projects starting next month – let me know if you hear of anything."
"I’m looking for interim marketing support roles – happy to do mat cover, short-term gigs, or project work."
The more specific you are, the easier it is for people to remember you when something pops up.
Stay Busy (Even If It’s Not Paid)
If you've covered your bills and you're still in a quiet patch, use the time wisely.
You don't have to grind 24/7 – we are absolutely not about that life – but it can be a good chance to invest in yourself.
Some ideas:
Update your portfolio. Add your latest work, clean up case studies, tweak your About page.
Refresh your LinkedIn or CV. Even if you mainly get work through word of mouth, a polished profile makes it easier for new people to take a chance on you.
Learn something new. Take a short course, dive into a new tool, upskill in something you’ve been meaning to try.
Start a personal project. Build that website, write that article, make that zine, create that mock campaign – whatever you’ve had on your list but never had time to do.
Rest. If you can afford to, use the downtime to actually recharge. You will be busy again – and when you are, you’ll be grateful you didn’t spend every second stressing.
Think of this time as laying the groundwork for your next chapter. Even if it doesn't feel like it yet, it will pay off later.
Remember: This is Normal
Finally, remember: this is part of the freelance rhythm.
No one escapes it. Not the people with 20k LinkedIn followers. Not the people who seem like they're booked six months in advance. Not even the people writing Substack newsletters about freelancing (hi).
Freelancing has a different pulse to permanent work. It’s intense sometimes, and painfully slow at others.
The trick is learning to ride the wave without letting every dip feel like a failure.
Trust that the work will come back. Keep your head clear. Keep your name out there. And keep doing the things that set you up for success, even when it feels like no one’s watching.
Because the funny thing is: people are watching. They’re just waiting for the right time to reach out.
And when they do, you’ll be ready.