How to get work in the quiet months
Almost every trade has a quiet patch. For outdoor trades it is winter; for others it is after Christmas or the summer holidays. The difference between a stressful quiet patch and a manageable one is usually planning a few weeks before it arrives.
Know when your quiet months are
Look back at your diary or invoices from previous years and note when work dropped off. If you are new, ask others in your trade. Once you know it is coming, you can act before the diary empties rather than after.
Offer the jobs that suit the season
Most trades have work that fits the quiet months: indoor jobs in winter, servicing and maintenance, repairs people have put off, or preparing for the next season. Make those jobs visible on your website and Google Business Profile in the weeks before, with their own pages and photos.
Contact past customers first
The people who have used you before already trust you. A short, friendly message saying you have space in January or February, and listing a few jobs you can help with, often fills gaps quickly. Keep a simple list of past customers so you can do this every year.
Offer a reason to book now
Flexible start dates, a quick turnaround, or simply the chance to get a job done before the busy season are good reasons for customers to book early. Be careful not to slash prices; it trains customers to wait for discounts.
Use the time to build for the busy season
Quiet weeks are the best time to add recent jobs and photos to your website, update your profile, ask past customers for reviews, sort your paperwork and fix the van. The effort you put in during the quiet months turns into enquiries when people start searching again.
Common questions
- Should I discount in the quiet months?
- Small incentives can help, but heavy discounts train customers to wait. Flexibility and fast start dates are often better reasons to book.
- How early should I prepare for a quiet patch?
- Start four to six weeks ahead, while you still have time to contact customers and update your website.
- What should I do with spare time?
- Update your website and profile with recent work, ask for reviews, and get your admin and equipment ready for the busy season.
If you would rather somebody just did it
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