How Freelancers Can Prepare Their Business for the Holiday Season Wind-Down
Freelancers, we know how it goes—by the time the holidays roll around, we’re usually feeling one of two things: relief at the chance to finally unwind or total panic because the business never really stops, right? But here’s the thing—you absolutely deserve some rest, and with the right prep, you can make sure your business is still running smoothly while you’re decking the halls, sipping hot cocoa, and binge-watching your favorite holiday movies.
So, let’s talk about how to wind down your freelance business in a way that gives you the best of both worlds: a break for you and a business that doesn’t fall apart in your absence. In this post, I’ll walk you through some easy, effective strategies to help you prep for the holidays without stressing about work.
Set Clear Boundaries with Clients
First things first, if you’re planning to take time off, make sure your clients know what’s up. This doesn’t have to be an intimidating conversation, I promise! You just need to set some clear expectations so everyone’s on the same page.
Here’s what you can do:
Send out a heads-up email a few weeks before you plan to wind down. Let your clients know your holiday schedule and, more importantly, when you’ll be back in action.
Use your email signature to remind people that you’ll be out. Add something like, “I’ll be on holiday from [Date] to [Date]. Please let me know if you need anything before then!”
Set an out-of-office email for the days you’ll be away. This will save you from constantly checking emails (because we know how tempting that is) and give your clients peace of mind knowing when you’ll reply.
Honestly, most clients will appreciate the heads-up, and it’ll save you from frantic last-minute requests while you’re trying to enjoy some holiday downtime.
Automate Wherever Possible
Automation is your best friend when it comes to winding down for the holidays. You want your business to keep moving, even when you’re not actively working. Thankfully, there are so many tools available that can take the weight off your shoulders.
Let’s break it down:
Invoicing: Use automated invoicing tools like FreshBooks or Collective to make sure you’re still getting paid, even when you’re not in the office. You can set up recurring invoices for clients or have reminders sent automatically for any unpaid bills.
Emails: Set up automated email responses (and we’ll get into Flodesk in a second) so clients get the info they need without you lifting a finger.
Project Management: If you use a project management tool like Notion or Asana, set up automated workflows to keep track of tasks and deadlines for when you’re back.
Leverage Flodesk to Keep the Revenue Coming
Okay, this is where things get really exciting! You may be planning to wind down, but your business doesn’t have to stop growing—and Flodesk’s automation features can help you do just that.
Flodesk’s Link Actions are a game-changer. With this feature, you can create automated workflows that trigger just by adding a link in your emails. This means that while you’re off enjoying your holiday break, your business is still working behind the scenes! Whether it’s offering a holiday discount, promoting a course, or giving out freebies to boost engagement, Link Actions lets you set it and forget it.
Not only that, but if you’re new to email automation, Flodesk makes it super easy to get started with its workflow builder. You can automate everything from welcome sequences to Q1 promos with just a few clicks, so while you’re sipping a seltzer and binge-watching your favorite holiday movies, Flodesk is helping you grow your email list and increase sales. It’s like having your very own digital elf!
Plus they’ve even given us a discount so you can start today at a super affordable price (we’re talking 50% off!). Run don’t walk freelancers!
Wrap Up Current Projects
I know the holidays can sneak up on us (seriously, how is it already that time of year again?), but try your best to wrap up as many ongoing projects as possible before you take a break. This will give you peace of mind and make it easier to fully disconnect when the holidays hit.
Here are some quick tips to wrap things up:
Prioritize your tasks: Identify which projects need to be completed before your break and which can wait until you’re back. Don’t overwork yourself trying to finish everything at once.
Communicate deadlines: Make sure your clients know what you’ll deliver before your holiday and what will be handled after you return.
Be realistic: It’s tempting to try and squeeze everything in, but be realistic about your bandwidth. Trust me, you don’t want to be working late into the night before your holiday!
Schedule Social Media Posts in Advance
If you’re running social media for your freelance business (and let’s be honest, who isn’t?), now is the perfect time to get ahead on content. You don’t want to spend your holiday scrambling to post when you could be relaxing.
Thankfully, there are tons of social media scheduling tools out there (Hootsuite, Later, Buffer, Planoly etc.) that let you plan and schedule posts in advance. You can take a few hours now to create and schedule content for the holiday season, and voilà—your social media runs itself while you’re sipping eggnog.
A few tips:
Keep the content light and festive: You don’t need to post heavy content during the holidays. Instead, keep it fun and seasonal—maybe a few posts about how you’re winding down, holiday tips for your audience, or behind-the-scenes shots of your holiday prep.
Repurpose content: Don’t stress yourself out trying to create brand-new content. You can easily repurpose old posts or give them a holiday spin.
With your social media, all queued up, you’ll have one less thing to worry about while you’re away.
Plan for 2025 (But Don’t Overdo It)
Okay, I know the idea of planning for the new year while winding down for the holidays sounds like a lot, but hear me out! You don’t need to go into full-on strategy mode right now. Instead, use this time to reflect on what’s worked for you this year and jot down some initial ideas for 2025.
Think about questions like:
What services were most profitable for you this year?
Were there any clients or projects you absolutely loved working on?
What new skills or tools could help you grow in the new year?
Are there any admin tasks I need to get done i.e. insurance (we love Next for small biz insurance), accounting software, new operational systems, maybe hiring help? If you’re looking for health care that does open enrollment we suggest checking out Solo Health Collective.
By doing a little bit of reflection and goal-setting, you’ll enter 2025 feeling focused and ready to hit the ground running—without overwhelming yourself before your break.
Take Time for Self-Care
And finally, let’s talk about self-care. Because, honestly, what’s the point of winding down for the holidays if you don’t actually give yourself the chance to relax?
The holiday season can be stressful, especially if you’re balancing family, friends, and your business. That’s why it’s so important to carve out time for yourself to truly unwind.
A few ways to practice self-care:
Unplug from work completely: Set boundaries with yourself, too! Turn off work notifications and give yourself permission to be fully present with your loved ones.
Do something just for you: Whether it’s reading a book, taking a bubble bath, going for a walk, or baking cookies—make time for activities that make you happy.
Don’t overbook yourself: It’s easy to get caught up in holiday events, but remember that it’s okay to say “no” to things if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Taking care of yourself will help you recharge, so when the new year rolls around, you’ll be refreshed and ready to take on whatever comes your way.
The holiday season is meant for rest, relaxation, and recharging—and with a little bit of prep, your freelance business doesn’t have to miss a beat while you’re taking time for yourself. By setting clear boundaries with clients, automating workflows, outsourcing tasks, and leveraging tools like Flodesk, you can enjoy your break while still keeping your business on track.
So, go ahead—wind down, take a breather, and give yourself the holiday break you deserve. Your business (and your sanity) will thank you!