It’s no secret that freelance work can be unpredictable, and especially if there are certain times of the year when your business tends to grind to a halt – like during the sleepy summer months.

Thankfully, seasonal work can be a great option, affording you the opportunity to earn additional income and gain experience during this dreaded ‘summer slowdown.’
 

What is seasonal work?

Before we get into it, what even is seasonal work? I’m glad you asked. Seasonal employees are basically short-term workers who come in and fulfil additional staffing needs during an organisation’s busiest months.

The main selling point is that the work is on a temporary basis, meaning there’s no long-term commitment and you can try new jobs to see if you enjoy them without having to dive in headfirst.

In terms of exactly when you can take up a seasonal role, this varies by both industry and individual operation.
 

What should I consider before taking on seasonal work as a freelancer?

The first thing to consider is how long the contract is, as having a seasonal job could eventually get in the way of your freelance obligations, which you may want to prioritise.

You should also take into account the type of work it is. This is because seasonal employment is a chance to upskill in something different and gain valuable experience which can be referenced on your CV in the future.

When it comes to the work itself, there’s likely to be a general lack of freedom or flexibility relative to freelance work (where you get to set your own schedule, for example). There also tends to be less pay than with a full-time job – close to minimum wage in some industries – and also fewer benefits, so you’ll want to consider whether or not it’s worth it to you.
 

Types of seasonal jobs for freelancers

• Events/festivals – on an ad hoc basis – enables you to fill gaps in your income
• Bartender/hospitality – may require more of a time commitment than events, but still not full-time
• Retail – flexible hours, e.g. weekends only or 2/3 days per week
• Barista – flexible working hours
• Hotel staff – on an ad hoc basis or a few days per week, depending on contract
• Dog walker – nice change from freelancing (not client-facing) and flexible hours

Should I look for employed or self-employed seasonal jobs?

The truth is it doesn’t really matter either way, so long as you’re comfortable doing your Self Assessment tax return (which you likely already are as a freelancer ).

That said, if you opt to take up a self-employed seasonal role, be sure to keep separate records and add a separate section to your Self Assessment. Also make sure you understand how this affects the way you pay tax.

As well as taking on seasonal work, you could also expand the freelance work you do to open up a wider client base. In today’s increasingly complex world, it’s good to have multiple strings to your bow.

 
Head over to our information hub for more guides, news and advice on navigating life as a professional freelancer, from finance to tech and more.

We all know freelance work can be unpredictable in nature (to say the least), so it’s fair to assume there’ll be times when there isn’t a whole lot of work to go around. Most notably during the summer months, when your clients are burning on a beach somewhere and you’re left waiting by the phone.

Fear not, though, as there are a number of things you can do to survive – and even thrive – during this so-called ‘summer slowdown’.
 

Run an expense forecast

Being financially prepared for an income drop is key.

Start by making a list of all the business and household expenses you will need to cover over the summer months. Your financial data from previous months and years can help, providing insights into your typical spending habits.

The next step is using this information to try and plan how you will pay your summer expenses if your income does slow down. It will also help you consider (or reconsider) any major purchases you might be planning.
 

Think about your summer schedule

If you know there’s a certain period (e.g. mid-August) that tends to be particularly slow for you in terms of work coming in, then why not align your own summer getaway with this?

You’ll get to enjoy some much-needed time off without worrying over an empty inbox. You also won’t technically be missing out on any income if you choose to go away during this time, as you don’t normally earn while on holiday.

Rest and relaxation are also vitally important, so there’s that, too.
 

Be clear about the time you’re taking off

Basically, just communicate your holiday plans consistently and often. If you don’t, you might receive work requests while you’re away, especially if you’re in a direct working relationship with a particular company.

Make sure to touch base upon your return, though, letting them know you’re back and available for new projects. (This also just gives you an excuse to reach out.)
 

Take the opportunity to market yourself

If, however, you’d rather keep working over the summer, you should start reaching out to your clients as early as possible and let them know about your continued availability. This will be very much appreciated by project managers in larger agencies, who will be glad to know they can reach out to you when many regular providers are out of the office.

You could also spend the time dedicated to building your online presence, in addition to generating leads. Now is the time to tinker and experiment with new services that complement your current ones. For example, if you’re a blog writer, you could consider offering a content calendar or SEO research.

There’s room for variability, too, as these new services can be add-ons or standalones; just play around and see what works.

They may bring in new clients (which is obviously the aim), but even if they fall short of that for whatever reason, they’ll still add value for existing ones and ultimately generate more revenue for your business.

So it’s kind of a no-brainer.
 

Consider seasonal work

While you may not have considered it, seasonal work can be a great option, affording you the opportunity to earn additional income during dry spells throughout the year – e.g. during summer.

The main selling point is that the work is on a temporary basis, meaning there’s no long-term commitment and you can try new jobs to see if you enjoy them without having to dive in headfirst.

It’s also a chance to upskill in something different and gain valuable experience which can be referenced on your CV, depending on what sort of seasonal work you pick up!

Seasonal employment also allows you to fill in any unemployment or missing income gaps you might have. This might be particularly useful if you’re worried about gaps in your National Insurance record affecting your entitlement to the State Pension in the future.

More broadly, though, you can forge connections within a new company – or even a new industry – and these can lead to future recommendations or job tips. (If you’re asked to do freelance work for an employer, just make sure you don’t fall inside IR35.)

Of course, there’s always the possibility of you being offered a full-time position after your seasonal contract ends.

 
Head over to our information hub for more guides, news and advice on navigating life as a professional freelancer, from finance to tech and more.