What to Do When Bookings Slow Down?
As a content creator or creative entrepreneur, experiencing a slowdown in bookings or facing rejections from potential clients can feel disheartening. However, these periods of lull are not only inevitable but also present unique opportunities for growth and innovation! Here’s how you can turn these challenging times into productive and enriching phases of your creative journey.
Reflect and Reevaluate Your Goals
When bookings slow down, take a step back and reflect on your goals. Are they still aligned with your current vision and passion? This period is perfect for reevaluating your direction and making adjustments. Consider the following:
Assess Your Brand: Is your branding still resonating with your target audience? Maybe it’s time for a rebrand or a refresh of your online presence.
Review Your Portfolio: Update your portfolio with recent work, ensuring it showcases your best and most relevant projects. I recently did this to showcase more of my UGC work and social media branding content as my clientele has shifted towards this over the last year,
Diversify Your Offerings
If your usual services aren’t attracting clients, think about diversifying your offerings. This could include:
Online Workshops or Courses: Share your expertise by creating online courses or hosting workshops.
Digital Products: Create and sell digital products such as e-books, LUT’s or other presets. These can provide a steady income stream and reach a global audience.
Freelance Platforms: Expand your reach by offering freelance services to other creatives!
Enhance Your Skills
Use this downtime to invest in yourself by enhancing your skills. Learning new techniques or tools can make you more competitive and open up new opportunities. Consider:
Taking Online Courses: Platforms like Coursera and LinkedIn Learning offer courses across various creative fields.
Attending Workshops and Conferences: Virtual and in-person events can provide new insights and networking opportunities. If you’re working within the film industry taking part in one of the programs from the Canadian Film Centre can take your skills to new heights!
Network and Collaborate
Building relationships within your industry can lead to new opportunities and is a vital way to grow in almost all creative fields. Networking doesn’t always have to be about seeking immediate work; it’s also about forming meaningful (and lasting) connections! Try:
Joining Professional Groups: Engage in communities related to your field on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, or specialized forums.
Collaborating with Peers: Partnering with other creatives can result in mutually beneficial projects and help you reach a wider audience. A great example of this would be to create content for Instagram Reels where you’re both collaborators to share the exposure.
Focus on Personal Projects
Personal projects are often pushed aside when client work takes precedence. Now is the time to dive into those passion projects:
Create a Passion Project: Whether it’s a short film, a photo series, or a new blog, personal projects can reinvigorate your creativity and showcase your unique style.
Document Your Process: Share your journey on social media, through a podcast or a blog. This not only keeps your audience engaged but also demonstrates your commitment and passion.
Improve Your Marketing Strategy
An effective marketing strategy is crucial in attracting clients. Use this time to:
Optimize Your Website: Ensure your website is user-friendly, mobile-optimized and SEO-friendly.
Leverage Social Media: Consistently post engaging content on platforms where your target audience is active. Utilize stories, reels and live sessions to keep your audience engaged.
Email Marketing: Build and nurture an email list. Regular newsletters with valuable content can keep potential clients interested.
Seek Feedback and Adapt
If you’re facing rejections, seek constructive feedback from potential clients or peers. This can be tough, especially for us creatives but is extremely vital for growth! Understanding why you weren’t chosen for a project can provide valuable insights:
Client Feedback: Politely ask clients for feedback if they decide not to proceed with your services.
Peer Reviews: Have trusted colleagues review your proposals, portfolio, or marketing materials.
Stay Positive and Persistent
Lastly, maintaining a positive mindset and staying persistent is crucial. Remember that every creative professional faces slow periods and rejections. These experiences are part of the journey and often lead to greater resilience and success in the long run.
Slow periods and rejections, though challenging, are opportunities in disguise. By reflecting, diversifying, upskilling, networking, focusing on personal projects, improving marketing strategies, seeking feedback and maintaining a positive outlook, you can navigate these times effectively and come out stronger! Embrace the ebb and flow of the creative industry, and let these moments shape your growth as a content creator or creative entrepreneur and propel you forward to future success!