When your small business goes through a patch of “slow times” (we all have been through it at one point of another!) and you naturally find yourself with free time on your hands, it’s the perfect opportunity to work on the back-end bits of your small business. Instead of wasting your time and energy, worrying about the lack of clients, I urge you to use this time to refresh and strengthen your foundations.

Here are 10 Productive Tasks, based on my years of experience as an Artist & women-led small business, you can work on to make the most of your downtime.

1. Update Your Business Budget

First things first — clean up your business budget spreadsheet. Make sure everything is in order, review your expenses, and forecast your financials. A well-organized budget will help you make smarter decisions when business picks up again. This is also a great time to cut out any unnecessary costs you may have overlooked.

2. Refresh Your Website

Your website is your digital storefront, so it needs to be in tip-top shape. Take some time to reread your copy and ensure it still speaks to your ideal client. Update your portfolio with new projects, and don’t forget to refresh your client testimonials. An optimized website can attract new clients and help you stand out.

3. Write Blog Posts

Blogging is essential for driving traffic to your website and boosting your SEO. If you’ve been neglecting this area, now’s the perfect time to batch-write a few posts. Cover topics that would interest your target audience and optimize each post for keywords. Create matching graphics so you’re ready to post consistently.

4. Create a New Freebie

Freebies are a fantastic way to grow your email list or whatsapp groups and provide value to potential clients. Whether it’s a checklist, a how-to guide, or an e-book, use your downtime to brainstorm and design a fresh freebie tailored to your ideal clients’ needs.

5. Brainstorm New Offerings

Maybe it’s time to shake things up and expand your services. Brainstorm new offerings that could solve different problems for your clients. Whether it’s adding a new service tier or bundling products together, fresh ideas can help you stand out in the market.

6. Prepare Social Media Content

Social media is a powerful marketing tool. Use this time to draft up posts, create visuals, and schedule content for the next few weeks. Consistency is key to building your brand’s presence online, so having posts prepared in advance will help you stay on track.

7. Tidy Up Your Email and Desktop

A cluttered inbox or desktop can slow you down when business picks up again. Take the time to organize your folders, delete unnecessary files, and set up filters to make future emails easier to manage.

8. Fine-Tune Your Whatsapp Marketing

Whatsapp is a great tool for client communication. Now’s a good time to work on message templates, set up automated responses, and organize your contacts. This will help streamline communication when you’re busy again.

9. Set Up Automations

Review the automations you have in place for your business. From email sequences to social media scheduling, there may be some processes you could automate to save time in the future. Work on these now to make life easier when things get hectic.

10. Polish Your Processes

Take time to review and refine the processes you use in your business. Are there ways you can be more efficient? Create or update standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure you’re ready to take on clients as soon as they come knocking.

By focusing on these 10 Productive Tasks, you’ll not only improve your business’s organization but also be better prepared to handle a surge of clients when the time comes.