Howdy!

Class of 2011 with a BA in Telecom Media Studies in the Austin area. Been working in sports broadcasting and broadcast media since graduation. My typical work will include everything from broadcast preproduction/event planning, to putting on the broadcast itself (be it through TV or online streaming), producing/directing/camera work during the broadcast, and postproduction editing for social media uploads.

I was laid off from my full time production job earlier this summer and while the search for full time work has not been going well, I am finding more and more opportunities for freelance work outside of Austin. It has me wondering if I should start an LLC and work primarily as a freelancer. I know that there aren't a lot of broadcast media folk on here, but I know freelancing/contract work extends beyond broadcasting, so I am hoping to talk with people who have found success doing freelance work in any field, filing an LLC, or anything else in between.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks and Gig Em!

bankshot11 said:

---

Howdy!

Class of 2011 with a BA in Telecom Media Studies in the Austin area. Been working in sports broadcasting and broadcast media since graduation. My typical work will include everything from broadcast preproduction/event planning, to putting on the broadcast itself (be it through TV or online streaming), producing/directing/camera work during the broadcast, and postproduction editing for social media uploads.

I was laid off from my full time production job earlier this summer and while the search for full time work has not been going well, I am finding more and more opportunities for freelance work outside of Austin. It has me wondering if I should start an LLC and work primarily as a freelancer. I know that there aren't a lot of broadcast media folk on here, but I know freelancing/contract work extends beyond broadcasting, so I am hoping to talk with people who have found success doing freelance work in any field, filing an LLC, or anything else in between.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks and Gig Em!

---

I know nothing about your line of business but working for yourself is almost always 1000X better than working for someone else. That's just a general rule to follow. The happiest people I know work for themselves even if they make less money.

A buddy of mine does freelance digital marketing/website creation and design. Just be very aware of how much work you can handle at once because it'll build up quick. He'll go weeks or months with no work, then it'll all pile on him at once. Dude is busy as hell right now and making good money, but he's also working 15 hour days 7 days a week to meet deadlines and it'll be like that until the year is over.

Talk with a Tax professional about setting up the LLC. Make sure it is right for your situation and you know what the tax implications/requirements are. That way when you get the opportunity to freelance, you know the costs associated and can bill accordingly.

Get it set up now before you start taking on work and get too busy. I don't think it should cost much to start it, so you aren't losing anything by doing it now.