10 wins to keep your cash flowing (even when demand dips)
Apprenticeships and skilled trades grow as layoffs continue
The proven rule that helps you always stay booked
Expert advice to grow your business at Jobber Summit
How to use AI like a pro to save time and move faster
Slow season hitting hard?
No need to freeze your way through it.
When seasonal demand dips, it’s easy to feel like you just have to ride it out. But slower months are a chance to get ahead, not fall behind.
Here are 10 practical moves to protect cash flow, keep leads moving, and build a stronger service business.
“Winter doesn't have to be a dead month. The winter can actually be a very profitable time.”
David Moerman Revive Services
Take control of your cash flow
Slow season or not, your business needs a reliable cash flow. Here’s how to protect it and stay on track:
Forecast your next quarter: Pull past data to understand key numbers like expected revenue, expenses, and potential gaps. This gives you a clear picture of what’s coming so you can budget smartly in the months ahead.
Front-load your spring revenue: Text or email past customers and offer early-bird booking for spring services. You’ll start the season with full schedules, committed customers, and less financial stress.
Audit your pricing: Review your profit margins and adjust your pricing if they’re no longer covering your true costs. Charge what your work is worth to ensure financial health now and the rest of 2026.
Keep work on the schedule
If your main service slows down in the winter, seasonal jobs can help close revenue gaps. Here’s how to do it:
Expand your offerings: Add winter services you can roll out easily, like snow removal, pet waste removal, or chimney sweeping. You’ll keep your crew busy, get more value from your equipment, and solve real problems people face during the winter months.
Stay top of mind
The off-season is when visibility matters most. Use these tactics to show customers your business is established and dependable year-round:
Optimize your marketing strategy: Give your website a refresh, update your Google Business Profile, gather more five-star reviews, clean up your email marketing, and stay active on social media. These updates make it easier for customers to find you, trust you, and book when they’re ready.
Build referral partnerships: Connect with local businesses whose customers may need your services. Strong partnerships can bring reliable referrals, helping you stay booked even when your usual demand slows.
Revive old leads: Follow up on past quotes or jobs that never moved forward. These warm leads can often turn into booked work without spending more on new marketing.
“We can pre-book our slow time so that when we get to the slow season, we're already fully booked.”
Daniel Dixon SendJim
Sharpen your business operations
Your team and your systems are the backbone of your business. Strengthen these areas to build a stronger foundation for 2026:
Invest in team development: Use slow months for training, cross-skilling, and safety refreshers. It builds confidence and shows your team you’re invested in their professional growth.
Plan for hiring: Review your hiring needs and start interviewing early. Getting ahead puts you in a stronger position than scrambling in the spring.
Dial in your systems: Take time to improve how your business runs, like cleaning up your tech stack or updating your SOPs. Solid, efficient systems are essential for scaling and growth.
Remember: you don’t have to do everything at once. Simply pick one move from this list and start there. Even small steps can make a big difference. You’ve got this!
IN THE NEWS
Fortunereports U.S. employers announced over 1.1 million layoffs in 2025. While white-collar jobs are gradually being cut, skilled trade jobs remain high in demand.
Fortunealso says young workers are willing to take blue collar jobs, but unclear training paths are holding back hiring.
NPR highlights a first-of-its-kind partnership in Boulder, Colorado, where students gain real trade skills and school credit by building affordable housing.
Inc. shares that apprenticeships are on the rise as more people choose hands-on training to build real, in-demand skills.
LATEST RESOURCES
Empty work schedule? Try this proven rule: 25 calls, 25 texts, and 10 estimates a day. Join us live on January 29 to see how this simple daily habit can help you stay booked.
Join over 30,000 service pros for a day of practical learning at Jobber Summit. Get real-world insights, expert guidance, and clear next steps to grow your business with confidence.
If you’re short on time, let AI handle the busywork. Put it to use on marketing, sales, pricing, and business planning to save time and focus on the work that actually pays.
AI works bestwhen you talk to it like a team member, not a search box. Feed it real estimates, job notes, or call summaries, and it can help you make faster, smarter decisions.
New Google search features are changing how customers compare prices—see what the “Have AI check prices” update means for your estimates and how to stay competitive.
