7 Business-boosting tips to breathe life into a summer slowdown

Being booked later starts now. Here's what to do when you're not busy

Author

Diana Kelly Levey
July 16, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes

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A slow freelance season can feel… personal.

Especially when you're creative, self-employed, and staring at an inbox that’s quieter than one of my toddlers sneaking a treat.

Before you hit “apply” on every single job board listing you see after telling yourself (Sure, I could write 3,000 words about copper pipes for a construction company!) take a breath.

Slow seasons are normal. (I track mine and think you should, too.)

Even the biggest brands run sales when things get quiet.

So why shouldn’t you ramp up your marketing when you’ve got a little extra time?

Here are 7 smart tasks you can do now to build your business, specially if you're a freelance writer or running a creative business like I am.

1. Save the praise
Turn client compliments and kind DMs into testimonials.
Create a “praise doc” and use it in your pitches and on your website.
Need a quick win? Turn one comment into a quote graphic and post it on LinkedIn.

2. Write a simple case study
No need for fancy design. Just cover:
→ What the client needed
→ What you delivered
→ What the result was
Example: I helped a supplement brand hit a 55% email open rate.

3. Reconnect with your favorite editors
Scroll your inbox. Who did you love working with in the past year?
Send a short note:
“Hi! How’s your summer going? Any fun travel planned?

I’ve got availability coming up and would love to work with you again if you need support.”

4. Pitch warm leads
Pick 3 brands or clients you'd love to work with.


Reference something timely (a blog post, social campaign, or newsletter) and offer an idea or support.

✅ Here’s how to write a scroll-stopping Pitch subject line an editor wants to open.

5. Join a webinar
Webinars are a great way to stay up-to-date on industry trends and insights. It’s also a great “in” to find new potential clients amongst the attendees (or hosts!)


Ask a question in the chat. Follow up on LinkedIn. Stay top of mind.

6. Show up on LinkedIn
Post at least twice a week. Here are some ideas of what to say on the platform if you feel shy.

They don’t have to go viral. They just need to show you’re still active and available.

7. Ask for a referral
Don’t overthink it. Just ask if someone you already worked with knows of someone else who could use your skills and help.

Read this article for a script you can use with a current client.

You don’t need to do all of these at once.
Just pick one. Then do another tomorrow.

Here are the marketing strategies I do each week and month — yes even in the summer — to ensure I always have work on the books.

You’ll get marketing suggestions to find freelance work, a 12-month calendar AND all of this 👇

🧨 40 Pages of Bonus Materials:

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📌 15 Fresh Places to Find Freelance Jobs (No Matter What is Happening with the Economy)

Diana

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