Beating the Slow Season 🐢

BEATING THE SLOW SEASON

Slow seasons happen to the best of us— new artists and seasoned artists alike. A “slow season” may look different for everyone. Your slow season could feel like a day or two, weeks, months, or entire seasons. A common slow season is post holidays and pre-spring which is happening right now! If this sounds like you than this post is for you because it’s dedicated to beating those slow season blues!

Fill the Gaps 

One of the first signs of slowing down is gaps in your schedule. Use this time to really push yourself and get new clients in the door. Start a referral program, announce a promotion, and really focus on marketing. What better way to beat the slow season than to not have one at all! 

Be Prepared
If you are prepared than any lull in business won’t feel as shocking. Being prepared can mean setting extra money aside while your busy to compensate for slower days, It can mean condensing your schedule to maximize your working days, and it can also mean ordering a higher volume of inventory during your busy season to save costs during the slow ones. Being prepared means you’ve done whatever you need to do to stay afloat during your slow season. 

Busy Work
One great way to use your down time is to plan ahead. You know the saying, “Fail to plan, plan to fail” well, that applies here too! Plan your calendar, your social media content, your ordering, your budget, etc. It’s an easy way to feel productive in your business when you might otherwise not be thinking of your business. Along with planning ahead, use this time to do the things that will make your future life easier such as, organizing, assembling aftercare, or an overall refresh. 

“Spring Training” 
How do you keep up on your lashing skills while not lashing clients? Keep on lashing! If I have an awkward break in my work schedule this is my go-to way of filling it. Practice those fans, practice with a new diameter, or practice a new fanning method. If you need to fill more than just a gap focus on education. Use your extra time to take courses, listen to podcasts, and learn!

Add on Services + Retail
Sometimes a slow season is unexpected or lasts longer than expected. In this case it’s time to consider adding on new services or pushing retail. These are not only going to keep you productive but these will actually earn you income. Quick services like waxing or brow tints have small overhead and selling retail can be an easy way to make up for lost income.

Vacation Days & Self Care
We don’t typically get paid time off in our industry so if you're going to experience days off then might as well take a vacation, finish projects at home, or really do anything that you’d normally not have time for because you’re too busy. Use this time to take care of yourself! For me, the summer months get busy so I like to take this time to spring clean, rest up, and enjoy it while I can.