Welcome back to our look at cooperative media-making. So far we’ve looked at a co-op subscription platform and how to split streaming revenue on a YouTube video.
Freelancing can be a tough gig and it can often leave you feeling like you are on your own. Billing, gear, website, social media, taxes, and health, it’s all on you. It can all be a little overwhelming sometimes, but there is support available!
In this article we’ll take a look at how and why you might join Guilded, a media worker cooperative that provides access to services that are usually difficult to get as an independent contractor. Let’s get into it!
How to Join Guilded
To start things off, Guilded is for residents of the United States. If you’re from outside the States you can use this article as a jumping point to learn about the types of resources out there for freelancers.
Joining the Guilded Co-op is a simple process. You’ll just need to fill out the request form and the team will send you all the information you’ll need to start the process to become a full member. Co-ops are owned by their members and collectively run, and Guilded is no different. In the intake process you should expect a rundown on how everything works and a bit of a discussion with a moderator, so that you can ask any questions and to see if your goals and expectations are a good match.
The Services
When you join Guilded you get access to a few services.
Supplementary Health Benefits
Guilded health benefits cover preventative health, vision, dental, coaches and therapists. They are not a substitutes for traditional health insurance; this means you can pair Guilded’s supplementary health coverage with separate insurance options.
Tax Preparation
Get Paid Better: Help With Contracts and Invoicing
Membership Dues and Service Fees
Guilded offers a lot to the independent contractor. So, how does it work?
Guilded has free membership for freelancers who have contracts equal or more than $750 processed through the co-op, a pretty modest and reachable amount. They do charge a fee per invoice; every contract processed with Guilded has a 6.5% service charge added, which you can pass on to the customer.
This is a pretty interesting model. Remember that, as a cooperative, Guilded is owned by the members. That means there is no profit-margin added to the fees: 100% of the fees go directly back into running the service, and any surplus is shared by the members.
Conclusion
Joining any coop can has its benefits, but you really want to make sure that you are on board and enjoy the collectivist model. With that said, Guilded has a smart setup and provides an excellent service of protecting and advocating for the self employed media worker. Thanks for following along and make sure to check out more articles and tutorials for media freelancers here on Envato Tuts+.
More Resources:
How to Co-Own the Subscription Platform With Comradery
- How to Split YouTube Revenue With Creative Collaborators Using Stir
- The Best Invoice Payment Terms to Avoid Past Due Invoices
- How to Set Effective Goals for Your Freelance Business
