Surviving the quiet months

Why income isn't even

A round has busy seasons and quiet ones. Weather stops you working, customers go on holiday, and demand follows the seasons. The problem isn't the quiet months themselves, it's finding out about them when the bank account is already low.

Step 1: build a buffer

Aim to hold two to three months of your running costs and personal bills in a separate account. Start by working out one month's number.

Paying a fixed amount into the buffer each month builds it faster than waiting until you have spare cash.

Step 2: keep tax separate

The buffer isn't for tax. Your January tax bill arrives when winter is already making money tight, so keep that money separate from the start. See registering as a sole trader.

Step 3: smooth the income

• A fixed monthly price for regular customers, so they pay the same each month and quiet months still bring money in
• Pre-book next season: fill the diary in the quiet months so spring starts full
• Sell winter work: services that don't depend on the weather
• Keep customers through the pause: offer a reduced winter visit rather than losing them

Step 4: use the slow weeks on purpose

• Walk or drive a new street and leaflet it
• Review your prices and raise them where they're low
• Ask for reviews and update your photos and profile
• Do the admin you keep putting off: records, receipts, insurance renewal
• Service and replace kit before the busy season

Watch for the warning signs

• Two quiet months in a row with nothing set aside
• Customers paused with no date to restart them
• A growing pile of unpaid invoices