Is this necessary for Offline Marketing??

by Cay78
18 replies
Question for all you offline marketers...I am looking to pursue offline marketing shortly, but I was wondering if it was necessary to set up a sole proprietorship?....My thoughts were that it would look more professional when I am offering services and also billing would like professional as well...I live in Florida and it looks fairly simple to set up...any advice, tips, or comments will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
#marketing #offline
  • Profile picture of the author LiquidSeo
    Originally Posted by Cay78 View Post

    Question for all you offline marketers...I am looking to pursue offline marketing shortly, but I was wondering if it was necessary to set up a sole proprietorship?....My thoughts were that it would look more professional when I am offering services and also billing would like professional as well...I live in Florida and it looks fairly simple to set up...any advice, tips, or comments will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

    Hi Cay78,

    I would strongly advise you to consider either an S-corp or a LLC. A sole proprietorship is not going to give you enough protection.

    You can do both the S-corp and LLC via sunbiz.org, and of course, check with your accountant for guidance.

    Brian
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    • Profile picture of the author Cay78
      Brian, thank you for your prompt reply.....I will look into those options..I just wasn't sure if an LLC was necessary...but I didn't want to be just sime guy offering services.....thanks again
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      • Profile picture of the author LiquidSeo
        Originally Posted by Cay78 View Post

        Brian, thank you for your prompt reply.....I will look into those options..I just wasn't sure if an LLC was necessary...but I didn't want to be just sime guy offering services.....thanks again

        No problem Cay. I use an LLC, and operate heavily in GA/FL. Either one will give you what you need in terms of a "real business name" coupled with some level of personal protection.

        Regardless - definitely check with your accountant. Mine is a big proponent of LLCs for 1-person businesses.
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        • Profile picture of the author AbsoluteDominance
          Great advice! I agree that you should, for your own protection, go beyond a sole proprietorship. Checking with an accountant/ attorney is a good idea but once you decide to do it the cost is not more than a couple hundred dollars in most states.

          Steve
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          • Profile picture of the author lewiswharf
            A sole proprietor must operate under their own personal name OR they can file a business certificate with their town that allows them to do business under a different name as a sole proprietor.

            I'm not sure it's necessary to incorporate or become an LLC. Where's the liability?
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            • Profile picture of the author Cay78
              Lewis, thank you for your reply....I was thinking the same thing as you...there really is no liability in offering services... I am going to talk to a accountant buddy of mine to get his opinon..thanks for the help!
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              • Profile picture of the author Cay78
                Lewis, where would I go to file the business certificate?
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                • Profile picture of the author lewiswharf
                  Originally Posted by Cay78 View Post

                  Lewis, where would I go to file the business certificate?
                  I got mine at the Town Clerk's office.
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      • Profile picture of the author Headfirst
        Originally Posted by Cay78 View Post

        Brian, thank you for your prompt reply.....I will look into those options..I just wasn't sure if an LLC was necessary...but I didn't want to be just sime guy offering services.....thanks again
        Then set up as an LLC, get a Tax ID and get General and Professional Liability insurance.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Originally Posted by Cay78 View Post

    Question for all you offline marketers...I am looking to pursue offline marketing shortly, but I was wondering if it was necessary to set up a sole proprietorship?....My thoughts were that it would look more professional when I am offering services and also billing would like professional as well...I live in Florida and it looks fairly simple to set up...any advice, tips, or comments will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

    I wouldnt go through the trouble of setting up a corporation untill I had my system in place and a few sales under my belt.

    I find alot of times people do months of busy work to start up a business, then only a month or less of implementation afterward before fizzling out, because they didnt really have a solid system processes in place to warrant building a company over...

    I would make some sales, tweak my systems, make sure my idea was viable... THEN go to the trouble of setting it up as a corporate entity...

    Just my two cents.
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    • Profile picture of the author Cay78
      John, that is a valid point....thanks
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      • Profile picture of the author Cay78
        John, I guess my initial thought process was to have everything set up..looking professional before I present my "services" to potential clients...file the DBA, get a business checking acct up and running, already have an acct with freshbooks so.....I have actually made one sale testing my method and it worked out pretty well...thanks again for the input...always learning
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        • Profile picture of the author akazo
          Originally Posted by Cay78 View Post

          John, I guess my initial thought process was to have everything set up..looking professional before I present my "services" to potential clients...file the DBA, get a business checking acct up and running, already have an acct with freshbooks so.....I have actually made one sale testing my method and it worked out pretty well...thanks again for the input...always learning
          You can file the DBA online - to be legit, be sure to run the notice in your local newspaper.
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  • Profile picture of the author rafterman
    Originally Posted by Cay78 View Post

    Question for all you offline marketers...I am looking to pursue offline marketing shortly, but I was wondering if it was necessary to set up a sole proprietorship?....My thoughts were that it would look more professional when I am offering services and also billing would like professional as well...I live in Florida and it looks fairly simple to set up...any advice, tips, or comments will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
    I just did sole proprietorship with a tax EIN number. About $130 to set up.

    I don't see the need for an LLC or S-corp. Limited liability? I don't own anything and I'm not liable for anything.
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    • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
      # 1: There may be a few laws in your area meaning you may need to register a business (a fairly cheap process in those areas and your state authority will usually tell you if you call them).

      # 2: In many areas if you're doing business under your own name you don't need to set up anything to get started.

      # 3: In practice just like John said, you're better off just getting started.

      Until you've actually taken money off a client you're not technically in business anyway and no one is going to descend on you and fine you when you're getting started.

      If you start worrying about red type and technical stuff it's likely you'll never get started and at it's core this business is about talking to business owners...there's no law anywhere in the free world I know of that will stop you from doing that.

      Kindest regards,
      Andrew Cavanagh
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      • Profile picture of the author Cay78
        Thanks guys for all the help!
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        There are 2 types of people in this world....those who get it and those who don't. The ones that get it know exactly what we are talking about. The ones who don't are left scratching their heads.

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