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The Digital Junk Drawer

4 Tips to Surviving Slow Seasons

Slow seasons can make any creative business owner feel like they’re doing something wrong—but here’s the truth: they’re predictable. If you know when they’re coming, you can prepare instead of panic. In this episode, I break down how to stop the feast-or-famine cycle and actually use slow seasons to your advantage (instead of spiraling into job board searches). We’re covering: ✔️ Why “I don’t have time for systems” is a lie that’s costing you money ✔️ The four strategies that keep your business profitable year-round ✔️ How to spot slow season patterns so you’re never caught off guard ✔️ What NOT to do when things get quiet (hint: slashing your prices isn’t the answer) If you’ve ever felt the slow season panic creep in, this episode is for you.
Broadcast on:
07 Mar 2025

Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, the podcast where creative service-based businesses come for unfiltered advice, actionable strategies, and a little bit of fun.

Today, we’re talking about something every freelancer and creative business owner experiences: slow seasons. They suck, but they don’t have to derail your entire year. Instead of hoping your next dry spell magically disappears, I’ll show you how to prepare for it, smooth out your cash flow, and make slow seasons work for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

💡 The biggest slow season mistakes most creatives make (and how to avoid them)
📊 How to use past revenue data to predict your slow months
🛠 Why “passive income” isn’t as passive as people claim—but how to build revenue streams that help you stay afloat
💰 The power of retainer clients, pre-selling, and micro-offers to stabilize your income
🚀 How to stay visible in slow seasons—without coming across as desperate
 

Want to Stop the Slow Season Scramble?

👉 Need help getting your pricing right so you’re not undercharging during slow seasons? Check out my Pricing Audit—so you can stop second-guessing your rates and start charging sustainably. Grab yours at themainstage.ca/pricingaudit.

💬 Let’s Talk → Hit me up on Threads @TheMainStage.ca and tell me your worst slow season story—I wanna hear it.

🎙 If this episode hit home, share it with a biz bestie and leave a review!

Slow seasons can make any creative business owner feel like they’re doing something wrong—but here’s the truth: they’re predictable. If you know when they’re coming, you can prepare instead of panic. In this episode, I break down how to stop the feast-or-famine cycle and actually use slow seasons to your advantage (instead of spiraling into job board searches). We’re covering: ✔️ Why “I don’t have time for systems” is a lie that’s costing you money ✔️ The four strategies that keep your business profitable year-round ✔️ How to spot slow season patterns so you’re never caught off guard ✔️ What NOT to do when things get quiet (hint: slashing your prices isn’t the answer) If you’ve ever felt the slow season panic creep in, this episode is for you.