As we wrap up 2024, many creative entrepreneurs are noticing a shift in their business rhythms. 

Just this week, I was chatting with one of my clients, a creative business owner, who perfectly illustrated this: while she is in an unexpectedly quiet period with fewer inquiries than usual, I’m in the midst of my most chaotic season yet.

Can you relate to either of us? 

Maybe your commissions have slowed down, your inquiry inbox isn’t as full as usual, or your workshop registrations aren’t hitting their usual numbers. Or maybe you’re like me – juggling more client work than ever and struggling to keep up with your usual business tasks.

If either scenario resonates, you’re not alone — and more importantly, both these periods (whether quiet or chaotic) are natural parts of running a creative business.

Understanding the Rhythms of Your Creative Business

Think of your business like a piece of music. Just like music needs both notes and rests to create melody, your business has natural periods of intensity and quiet. While these rhythms might be shifting in today’s environment, one thing remains constant: the key is learning to work with these rhythms rather than against them.

Finding Sustainable Balance

Building a stable creative business isn’t about eliminating quiet periods—it’s about creating systems that help you thrive in every season.  

When business is quiet and you have fewer projects coming in, it’s time to do more marketing and reach out to more people. When you’re busy with lots of client work, it’s okay to temporarily do less marketing and outreach – but I URGE you: don’t stop completely. 

Going totally silent when you’re busy, then scrambling for work when things slow down? 

That’s a recipe for stress (hello, feast or famine cycle). 

Aim to keep things in your business stable all year round and put systems in place that allow you to dial it up when you have more time. This way, you’ll keep bringing in new opportunities while managing your time well.

The key is building a foundation that supports your business year-round:

• Keeping marketing at a manageable level all year
• Setting up simple systems to stay visible even when busy
• Building some income that doesn’t require constant work (i.e. digital products, affiliate programs)
• Blocking off a little time each week for growing your business, no matter what

Think of it like having a houseplant: You don’t want to flood it with water one week and forget about it the next (I’ve learned this lesson the hard way with both plants and in business). Regular, consistent care works best.

So now that we understand these rhythms, let’s look at specific ways to make the most of your quieter seasons—turning what might feel like a slowdown into an opportunity for growth.

Managing Different Business Phases

Different seasons of your business require different approaches. 

Right now, my client is experiencing an uncharacteristically quiet season – the perfect time to step back, plan, and build for the future. Meanwhile, I’m in an unusually busy season where I need to focus on delivering great work while maintaining just enough visibility to keep future opportunities flowing.

Let’s look at how to make the most of each phase:

When Business is Quiet

Let’s flip the script on slow periods. Instead of seeing them as something to worry about, let’s treat them like a gift of time—because that’s exactly what they are. 

Think of it as your business’s version of an artist’s retreat: a chance to step back, think big, and build something amazing (a perfect opportunity to lean into your CEO Time!).

When business is quiet (maybe your inbox is slower than usual or you have fewer projects), that’s your signal to be more visible and reach out more. 

Here’s how you can make the most of this time:

#1 Get Clear on Your Creative Path

Quiet times are perfect for big-picture thinking. Set aside some CEO Time to ask yourself:

• Which projects made you smile this year?
• What kind of work do you want to be known for?
• Where do you want your creative business to go next?

#2 Tidy Up Your Business

Now’s the time to handle those “someday” tasks:

• Look at your prices—do they reflect your value?
• Clean up your files and systems
• Make your client process smoother
• Organize those chaotic folders on your desktop (mine is literally titled “Random Things I Can’t Deal with Right Now”)

#3 Plant Tomorrow’s Seeds

This is all about setting yourself up for future success:

• Reach out to people you’d love to work with
• Make things that showcase your best work
• Learn that new skill you’ve been curious about
• Map out your next collection or offering
• Lean into your content marketing
• Make connections and build your network

Think of these activities as filling your creative well. When business picks up again (and it will), you’ll be ready with fresh energy, clear direction, and stronger systems to support your growth.

#4 Increase Your Visibility

This is your moment to shine brighter and remind people why they love working with you:

• Ramp up your marketing
• Connect with other creatives
• Polish up your portfolio
• Give your website some love
• Show up more on social media
• Check in with past clients
• Request referrals
• Stock up on content for busy times ahead

Every connection you make, every piece of content you create, and every update you make to your presence now will help fuel your business’s future success.

When Business is Busy

Just like I’m experiencing right now – when you’re in a high-energy season with lots of client work, you need a different approach. Instead of seeing this time as purely chaotic, let’s treat it as a season of opportunity to strengthen your business foundations while serving your clients well.

Here’s how to make the most of busy seasons:

#1 Prioritize Excellence in Your Current Work

Right now, your main job is doing great work for your clients. This helps build a strong reputation and brings in future work through happy clients:

• Give your full attention to delivering amazing results for current clients
• Keep detailed notes about what’s working (and what isn’t) in your processes
• Document client feedback and testimonials while the work is fresh
• Stay organized with project timelines and deadlines
• Set clear boundaries to avoid burnout

The great work you do now leads to more high-quality clients later.

#2 Maintain Basic Business Health

Yes, you’re busy, but don’t let your business foundations crumble. You don’t have to do everything perfectly right now – just keep the important stuff going:

• Keep a simplified version of your marketing running
• Maintain basic presence on your most important platforms (you don’t have to be everywhere all the time!)
• Stay in touch with your existing network
• Keep your calendar and inbox organized
• Handle essential admin tasks promptly

Maintenance is the name of the game during busy seasons!

#3 Plan for the Future

Your busy times can teach you a lot about your business. Keep notes about:

• Ideas to try when things slow down
• Projects that make you happy
• Clients you love working with
• Content ideas that pop into your head
• Helpful resources to read later

These notes will be super helpful when you have more time to work on your business instead of just in your business.

#4 Create Simple Systems 

When you’re super busy, you’ll spot things that could work better (but don’t worry about fixing them all right now):

• Notice where you’re feeling overwhelmed
• Document repeated tasks for future templates or SOPs
• Keep track of commonly asked questions
• Set up automated responses where appropriate
• Create guidelines for common client situations

Think of busy seasons as your real-world business testing ground. These are the times when you’ll really see what’s working in your business and what needs to improve or be adjusted. Use these insights to make your next quiet season even more strategic and impactful.

Adapting to Changing Business Rhythms

Remember that seasonal shifts in business are normal and healthy. The end of the year often brings a natural slowdown across many creative industries. 

But let’s be real: lately, these rhythms might feel different than what you’re used to. The economy, world events, and changing buyer habits mean that patterns you could once set your watch by might be a bit harder to predict.

• Maybe your usual summer boom was quieter this year. 
• Or your holiday rush started later. 
• Or your typical pricing isn’t landing quite the same way. 

You’re not the only one experiencing these shifts—many creative businesses are navigating similar changes.

This is your chance to be intentional about your next steps. 

While others might be scrambling to recreate old patterns, waiting for things to “go back to normal” or fighting against unexpected trends,  you can use this time to thoughtfully:

• Watch for new patterns in your business
• Listen to what your clients need right now
• Stay flexible with your offerings
• Build more resilience into your business model

This quieter time is perfect for reflection, planning, and positioning yourself for the opportunities that will emerge in the new year—even if they look a little different than before.

Moving Forward

When your business unexpectedly gets quieter, it can feel scary. This is your livelihood, your passion, your dream—and watching things slow down can bring up very real concerns. 

Those feelings are valid, and you’re not alone in having them.

But here’s what I know from working with dozens of creative entrepreneurs: these periods don’t last forever. The businesses that not only survive but thrive through quiet times are the ones that use this space wisely. They’re the ones who come out on the other side stronger, clearer, and more prepared for what’s next.

As you navigate this season in your creative business:

• Trust that this is a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey
• Use the extra time intentionally
• Focus on what you can control
• Stay connected with your creative community
• Keep showing up, even if in different ways

The key isn’t to eliminate quiet periods—it’s to use them strategically. 

When internal work is quiet, let your external presence shine brighter. This rhythm of expansion and contraction is not just normal, it’s essential for sustainable creative business growth.

The changes you make during quiet times often lead to your biggest breakthroughs. The new offers you develop, the systems you improve, the connections you nurture—these are the seeds that will grow into future success. 

The quiet isn’t empty—it’s full of possibility. How will you use yours?

Don’t Navigate This Slow Season Alone

I’ve got you covered. Pick the support that fits you best:

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Need a strategy custom-built for your creative business? Let’s work together to turn your quiet season into your next big move. I’ll help you spot opportunities, make smart decisions, and create a plan that fits your style.

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