Business on the side
by Anonymous
on
Jul 9, 2001 at 1:33:32 pm
I'm a full-time Manager of a 1 person corporate video department. (I'm it.) I have a Media 100i system in my house with Beta SP(it was given to me to use, with no cost to me.). I'd like to start making some cash on the side by offering my editing services on the side. Because I work full-time, I can edit only during nights and weekends. My question is, who would I approach, and how would approach them? I have many video contacts in this market, although several of them maintain a vendor relationship with me and my company, but they know the quality of my work, which I feel is extremely high. Who else would you try contacting, and how would you position yourself, if you were in my shoes.
I have 20 years of video experience as a corporate producer/director/and editor, have one a few awards, and really know editing. Thanks!
Re: Business on the side by Tim Kolb on Jul 9, 2001 at 7:11:20 pm
Hmmmmm....
First of all, I saw no reference to OWNING the equipment you have in your "department". Hiring it out for other jobs would create an unquestionable conflict of interest.
What if the drives are occupied partially with a freelance project and your "benefactor client has a quick-turnaround project that you suddenly can't handle because of this extra media?
There are any number of situations that may cause you to have real legal and certainly ethical concerns, unless I'm completely misunderstanding the relationship.
Since you refer to jobs "on the side," it sounds to me like you have a fairly full-time relationship with the client who has supplied at least some of the equipment.
Does your primary client consent to this type of thing? And I guess I'm unclear just how much of your equipment is bought and paid for by your client.
If you are working with mostly client-bought gear, I would say that any outside work without their consent pushes my personal ethical envelope.
Re: Business on the side by Anonymous on Jul 9, 2001 at 8:09:16 pm
I'm sorry Tim...perhaps I didn't express myself clearly. The system I have at home (Media 100i/Beta SP) is totally independent of any equipment used during my full time corporate job. This equipment belongs to my church, who has asked me to produce and edit a weekly program for them. The agreement was that I would do it, if they would buy all necessary equipment, and I could keep the editing system in my home. The understanding was that I can use this equipment for side work as well. What I'm looking to do is pick up some side business at nights/weekends, that would allow me to supplement my income, and also, more importantly be able to make the transition from Fulltime Corporate Employee, to successfull business owner/operator. Hopefully my current employer would seek my services, but who knows.
Re: Make sure you get that in writing by Timothy Allen on Jul 9, 2001 at 9:29:28 pm
Even when dealing with a church (Especially if you go there), get their permission in writing. What if six months down the road, someone at your church decided they weren't getting enough value out of the equipment. (Especialy considering you were making money from it.) & decided that they would sell it. (To someone else, perhaps...)
Just want to make sure that you are very careful & methodical about this. I would hate to see it turn sour for you.
Re: Make sure you get that in writing?? by Anonymous on Jul 9, 2001 at 11:37:39 pm
Get it in writing from my church?!?! Hey, if I can't trust them, who can I trust?! They're trusting me with about $70K of their equipment. I'm certain that if they sold it, I'd be their choice as abuyer. But 'nuff about that, how about some pointers on starting a side business. How would I position myself? What types of places would you suggest I contact?
Re: Make sure you get that in writing?? by Tim Kolb on Jul 10, 2001 at 2:37:02 pm
Churches are run by committees. In most churches, those committees change yearly, or at least some regular intervals.
The group that voted to set this situation up with you may be replaced by a new committee that suddenly has a roof to replace, or a different critical capital expenditure on their hands.
Getting it in writing, along with some kind of term of your primary agreement, so you can have some degree of predictability when you set out to do some work.
For some initial entrepeneurial stuff, I would start with
http://entrepeneur.com/
This is a deep and extensive site, but there is undoubtedly information you can use.
Original question? by Joe on Jul 10, 2001 at 3:07:51 pm
Caveats aside; an affilliation with a church? Events and weddings are a business for some. Network within the church; some churchmembers may have companies that need training videos, sales videos, tv commercials or infomercials. Are there other production companies who utilize freelancers?
To be talented at video production is a cup half full; to be able to sell that ability for money is a different skill which requires persistence, follow-up and time.
