On 18 Apr 2002 14:11:11 GMT, notjustjay wrote:

>FAKE_ID wrote:
>> When I look around in this group and see how active it is I'm wondering
>> about you guys (in a friendly, curious way).
>
>> What are you doing?
>> Do you consider it your mission in life? Are you insane?
>> Do you make a living by it or are you doing it for the applause?

>For me it's a hobby more than anything else. Thus far all my videos have
>been for promoting things like a summer camp, youth retreat, etc. I work
>for free and edit in my spare time. I don't consider myself particularly
>talented but people are happy... probably because most people don't yet
>realize just how easy this is :)
>
>I've toyed with the idea of registering as a business and working on the
>side, but I don't think I'll do it because I don't really have the
>resources to compete or advertise, and I'm not sure what the point would
>be of paying for all the registration, taxes, etc. when most of my work is
>done for free and I'd expect only the occasional paying job.

Hmmmmm..............................! ;-)
A few comments...:
Doing "free" work can be appropriate if the cause is
worthy and there truly is *no* budget available, but
often there is at least *something*, if only a few
hundred dollars. Doing it for free may do the client
a "service" (if they appreciate it...! ;-), but it
cuts you (and others!) out of a way to begin getting
experience while making enough on the side to begin
to put a business together (few can buy the gear and
jump into multi-thousand dollar projects "cold"...).
Most people looking for the kind of work you are
doing are willing to give you something, if possible,
or if not, are probably not valuing your efforts.
Don't "second guess" their resources - often grants
or "friendly support" are available to provide you
enough money to help you get started (even though
you may feel a bit guilty taking funds from dance
groups, kids' summer camps, anti-smoking organizations,
etc....;-). Don't be afraid of the business registration
end of it. It costs little or nothing, does involve a
bit more paper work, but it also offers distinct
monetary advantages (like being able to buy gear
and supplies tax-free, and being able to deduct these
and work space and mileage off your income at tax
time... (the tax codes are generally quite "friendly"
to businesses, even small ones, so long as you
show a profit once in a while...;-). Keep your
charges realistic (and sufficient), overhead low,
your purchases "managed", and you may be surprised
how well you can do with a very small business,
while not cutting others (and yourself) in your
area out of the opportunity to start by charging
nothing for your work...