A checklist for your freelance business under autocracy
It’s hard to believe that inauguration is less than a week away. Is your business ready? Are you doing the best you can to protect you AND your business?
Here’s a checklist of what you really, really should do to best protect yourself.
If you’re not operating already as an LLC, it’s a good time to institutionalize what you do by forming an LLC. If someone comes after you for work you’ve produced, you can say that you’re registered as a business to perform this kind of work.
If you’re operating as an LLC or S-Corp, print out and frame these certificates in your office wall. (You know, similar to how small businesses, Airbnbs, etc., showcase their licenses)
Get a free copy of a LLC operating agreement and have it handy at your desk. This, as I mentioned in #1, will set the rules and services for your business.
Buying business insurance is especially important for those of us who want to continue producing journalism during Trump 2.0, because that man treats journalists as an enemy of the people. I just bought a plan for general liability and errors & omissions from Hiscox for my agency —the rate felt really affordable for what it gets me (up to $1 million coverage with a $500 deductible).
Protect your personal information. I just bought two years of DeleteMe (their standard package) to remove all my personal identifying information off the world wide web. I don’t want anyone to harass me by calling me or coming to my place of residence. DeleteMe frequently has discount codes that you can find on coupon.com.
Yes, these things cost money, but consider it an investment in safeguarding yourself and our ability to work.
Onwards,
Wudan