Thinking of Freelancing? Consider this...
Clint Till
Video Production Professional ? Filmmaker ? Writer ? Podcaster of “Persistence of Vision” wherever you get podcasts
I spent many years as a freelance video production professional before moving to an in-house video producer position. Looking back over my career, I realize that there are some things I should have done differently.
So, if you’re thinking about striking out on your own as an independent shooter, producer, and/or editor for hire, here are some things you should consider before making the leap (This is based on my own personal experiences, so my thoughts and opinions may be different from others who have had a similar career path. The goal here is to help you make an educated decision, and part of that process is talking to many people) :
WORK IN-HOUSE FIRST
Whether it’s at an agency, production company, or a corporate marketing department, I think it’s important to spend a few years working full-time as part of an in-house team first (if you can). Here’s why:
LINE UP A REPEAT CLIENT
Before striking out on your own, I think it’s incredibly important that you already have at least one main client that will feed you work on a consistent, monthly basis. I realize this is easier said than done, but from my personal experience I think it's best not to transition into a freelancer until you have that client. This might start out as a small side gig, but as that work continues to grow, taking up more and more of your free time, you might reach a tipping point where it makes sense to go out on your own full-time. This is why working at an in-house position is so valuable. You are much more likely to find that repeat client through the network you build.
SET UP A CORPORATION OR LLC
Here’s where I advise you to consult with an attorney or tax professional (or both). Even if you are working solo with no intentions of hiring other people full-time, you need to set up a Corporation or LLC. This serves to protect your personal assets. An attorney or tax professional can guide you on which is right for you.
RENT, DON’T BUY*
Don’t rush into buying a lot of gear right out of the gate. You want to keep overhead as low as possible for as long as possible. It’s very easy to rent the camera, lenses, and supporting gear you need on a job-to-job basis and then bill that into your quote. This provides a few benefits:
Here's a suggestion: Take the money you would be spending on gear and invest in a workshop or seminar. As an independent video producer, you can't just be a shooter. You have to edit. You can't just be an editor. You have to know motion graphics. Become knowledgeable in all facets of production. Learning new skills is so important. It can be easy, as an independent producer, to spend a lot of your time trying to market yourself and gain new business. Don't spend so much of your time trying to generate leads that you forget to further your own skill set.
*The one tool I would invest in right away is a computer and client monitor for editing.
Pastor / Communications Guru / Voiceover Artist
5 个月Great info there. I spent years as a freelancer doing video and voiceover work. I still do the VO job here and there for ongoing clients, but I can say that keeping steady folks and rewarding the ongoing folks is what kept me afloat a lot of the time!