Planning for seasonal dips in income

March 4, 2021

Talk to us about planning for seasonality

Seasonal dips in income can be highly challenging when you’re a small business. But there are proactive ways to predict, plan for and overcome these dips in revenue.

The key to dealing with seasonal dips is to know when they’re most likely to occur, and to have measures in place to spread your income and revenue pipeline over the course of the year.

Understanding seasonality in your sector

If your business is seasonal such as pool supplies, or a ski gear specialist, you’ll be used to the peaks and troughs, but many 'non-seasonal' businesses experience times during the financial year where sales and revenue peak – and, on the flipside, where sales and revenue experience a pronounced dip.

When income is low at certain times of the year, it makes for challenging times.

So, what are the key ways to plan for this kind of seasonality?

  • Forecast your seasonality – it’s vital to know WHEN you’re most likely to experience any seasonal dips. Looking at benchmarking reports for your industry is one way to predict the seasonality in your niche or sector. But you can also use your own accounting data to great effect. Look back through your profit & loss reports and spot where the peaks and troughs have occurred over preceding years.
  • Charge a premium in peak time – one straightforward approach is to apply premium pricing for your products/services during the busy season. By increasing your pricing, you boost your overall revenue, giving you more working capital to see you through the leaner months when sales and income are at their lowest.
  • Offer additional peak-time services – offering added extras and other additional service lines during peak time is another way to maximise the season. In the months where customers are most engaged, look to upsell these premium services and offer more value. Satisfied clients will be more inclined to pay for added extras, giving you an increased revenue stream from the same number of customers.
  • Target other markets – exploring other related markets is another useful tactic. When you’re experiencing downtime, look for other ways to monetise your existing assets, products or services. For example, if you’re a hotel where sales peak in summertime, offer discounted conference space in the winter months to boost revenue.
  • Diversify your products/services – if one product/service has a known seasonal dip, look at adding an additional product or service to offset this downtime. For example, a a ski resort could promote bike-riding or hiking breaks during the warmer summer months to keep revenue constant. Likewise a pool maintenance firm could establish an outdoor fireplace business for the colder months.
  • Have a regional e-commerce strategy – If you’re dependent on a small local market, broadening your marketing and e-commerce strategies can help to attract a wider customer base – and bolster sales. Paid advertising through Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter can easily target new geographical markets, bringing in new customers and giving your revenue a much-needed uplift during seasonal troughs.


If your business is struggling with seasonal dips, and the resulting impact on cashflow, come and talk to us. We’ll help you identify the timing of your seasonal downtime, and come up with a clear strategy for stabilising your income across the year.

Get in touch to start beating those seasonal dips.
Selling your business: what happens once you exit?
June 18, 2025
You’ve sold your business! But what happens now!? We’ve outlined five potential pathways your post-sale life could take, and how they help you find new goals and lifestyles.
Selling your business: getting a good deal
June 18, 2025
Are you ready to sell your business? Here are six important ways to secure the best deal, through solid negotiation and a deep understanding of your core strengths as a company.
Getting help with your small business debt
June 18, 2025
Is your business debt getting out of control? Come and talk to us about strategies for reducing debt and getting cashflow under control.
What are your business goals for the year ahead?
June 18, 2025
What will you do differently this year to enable your business to thrive? Conducting a past-year review with our experienced advisors will provide valuable insights for this year's goal-setting.
ATO Announces 2025 Tax Compliance Priorities
May 29, 2025
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has unveiled its compliance focus areas for the 2025 tax year, highlighting the importance of accurate claims and thorough record-keeping, particularly for small businesses and individuals.
What makes a business expense tax deductible?
May 27, 2025
The ATO recently published some ‘wild claims’ that business owners had tried to make for business expenses. But what CAN you claim and what CAN’T you claim? We have the answers.
How’s your work-life balance? | Haslam Consulting & Accounting
May 27, 2025
Many business owners are reviewing their priorities and their work-life balance. Gallup reported that 39% of the owners they surveyed worked over 60 hours a week. How can you reclaim time and balance in your business?
How your accountant supports business development
May 27, 2025
Accountants don't just look after the financial side of your business. With our expertise behind your business development, we can help you turn your strategic ideas into real success stories.
How to optimise your business: six areas to focus on
May 27, 2025
We’re trading in uncertain times. But now’s the perfect moment to look at optimising your business. We’ve highlighted six key areas where you can improve your business efficiency. #optimisation #strategy #businesstips
Data-driven decision-making operations and inventory
April 7, 2025
Are you using data insights to drive your operational efficiency? We’ve got the lowdown on five ways that data-based decision-making takes your business to new levels of productivity.
More Posts