How to survive the summer slowdown

I know it’s not just me. LinkedIn is a hive of introductions and activity. I’ve made peace with not having much work throughout July and August. In fact, I’m starting love the quiet.

But that doesn’t mean it’s not a challenging time. I still have bills to pay and kids to feed, but I’ve leaned into the summer slowdown and made it work for us.

Instead of fretting, I’m all about enjoying my quiet time, staying semi-productive, and making the most of busy periods later in the year.

Here’s how I plan for a low-work summer.

Put in overtime during the busier months

This will be different for everyone, but after recording my monthly income over the last few years I can see a pattern emerging and I can plan to have busier months. This is when I’ll earn more than normal, to supplement the summer months. It might mean I have to dial back social plans and work some extra evenings and weekends during these busy times, but on balance, I think it’s worth it.

Book some work in

To keep things ticking over, I’ve planned a bit of work for August. It’s not loads, but it’s enough to keep my brain in the game and get some money trickling in. I use the rest of my time to enjoy the quiet and the nice weather, and recharge for the run up to Christmas.

Get on top of other tasks

Do whatever you need to do to make your life easier when things invariably get busier again. This could be marketing, social media, portfolios, or even the dreaded tax returns. Why do you think I’m writing this blog? 😉 I’ve got the time to do it at the moment.

Stay in touch with clients

This time of year is hell for project managers because so many suppliers are on holiday (I know this because I used to be one). If you’re available to work, let your clients know, because now could be the time you can take on more urgent projects. You can be that knight in shining armour who jumps into a project when the usual translator is on holiday. They’ll most likely go back to their usual team when they can. That’s not a reflection on you, it means they’ve done their job well. You’ll be remembered for doing a good deed, and most likely be assigned the next available suitable project.

Accept that a slow summer is normal

I’ve noticed that a lot of businesses slow down operations in Q3, and lots of people in the northern hemisphere go on holiday. That means projects and decisions get pushed back until September time. It’s completely normal, and it doesn’t mean my business is going to pot.

More experienced freelancers used to tell me to stop panicking and enjoy the quiet time while I could. They were right. Enjoy the summer, because it’ll soon be time to start assisting companies with their festive content.