Starting or creating a blog does not take a lot of time. This is especially true if you have the basic understanding of how to do it. However, turning a blog into a business is where things can get tricky. If you are at this stage, you might be wondering how to go about building your blog business. Should I start an LLC for my blog and is it a good idea?
This is one of the questions you might be asking yourself right now. I know this because you are reading this blog.
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In this post, I am going to help you answering this question, and hope that you will be in a better position to decide by the end of the day.
Should I start an LLC for my Blog?
Should you create an LLC for your blog and is this a good option for your blogging business.
If you are wondering if you should start an LLC for your blog, there are a number of factors you should consider.
In simple terms, starting an LLC for your blog depends on whether you are blogging for fun or if you want to make money through your blog.
There are varied ideas on this in the market.
I could argue that you should consider turning your blog into an LLC when your operating costs for your blog are the same as running it as a sole proprietorship.
One of the key benefits of having an LLC is that you will be having a flexible tax structure.
If you consider blogging as a hobby, you may not need to create an LLC just yet.
On the other hand, if you want to monetize your blog and eventually aim to earn from it, you must think far ahead.
You can protect your assets that include your bank accounts, houses, cars, and others from any legal action if you create an LLC for your blog.
What is an LLC for Blogging Business
An LLC is a limited liability company, which offers many of the benefits of a corporation (limited liability) without the same formalities of a corporation.
In simpler terms, an LLC is an official type of business that is recognized by the state law as a way that you can carry out your business activities.
The idea is to create a type of business that limits your personal liabilities as the owner of a blog or if you run your blog as a business.
Taxation is also handled differently.
Advantages of an LLC to your Blog
- Governed by LLC Members
- Typically, members are not liable for the LLC’s debts.
- Fewer formalities than a corporation.
Disadvantages of the LLC to a Blog
- Annual filings required through the Secretary of State.
- May be less desirable if you are seeking funding.
- You cannot issue shares of stock.
9 Reasons to Start an LLC for Your Blog
If you are thinking about starting an LLC for your blog, you might be wondering what would make you do it.
As I mentioned above, my goal here is to provide you with information that will help you take the right business decision for your blog.
Here are some of the reasons you should consider in starting a limited liability company for your blog or blogging business.
- Flexibility.
- Real estate assets protection.
- Protection of IP (Intellectual property).
- Helps when raising business funding.
- Estate planning benefits.
- Use it for short-term projects.
- LLCs protect your personal assets.
- Having peace of mind.
- Separate personal and blog finances.
Let us now look into the following nine reasons why you should start an LLC for your blog today.
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Flexibility
This form of business is going to provide you with flexibility when it comes to running your blog.
You will have the ability to be adaptable to different blogging business situation.
As an entrepreneur keen to build your blog, I think this is something that you should consider.
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Real Estate Assets Protection.
As you build your blog, you are going to generate income which you might invest in the real estate sector.
You might also be having some real estate assets already.
An LLC can help you to protect those assets. This will protect you from lawsuits that might target you as a person and not your business.
Like every other business, blogging business is war. You might have a competitor trying to run you out of business by suing you.
When you start an LLC for your blog, no one will be able to touch your business investments. There is no fear of liquidation of your properties to settle a claim as long as they’re held in an LLC.
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Protecting Your IP
You can use an LLC to protect your intellectual property.
It is another reason you should start an LLC for your blog if this is the area you are focusing on, or if you are blogging about ideas or concepts that require IP protection.
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Helps when raising business funding.
One thing you might need as an online business investor is to raise funds for your venture.
When you start a limited liability company for your blog, you will be providing potential investors with the security they need for their investment.
Investors are these days considering an LLC when making investment decisions.
This means that if you will be raising money at some point for your blogging business, you should consider creating an LLC for your blog.
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Estate Planning Benefits
I do not know why you are creating or building your blog. There are many reasons you could be doing this.
It might be because you want to increase your income and ultimately create wealth.
When you get success from your blog, you will need to think of the future of your estate and how to plan it.
An LLC can be of great benefit to you in this. It seems simple when you compare it with the estate trusts. However, starting an LLC for your blog will provide you a degree of protection to your digital assets.
LLCs have the ability to not only protect you from creditors, but also from court costs and probate lawyers.
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Use it for Short-Term Projects.
You will be surprised that the original intent of LLCs was for purposes of short-term projects.
That is why there is a specific section that tackles the dissolution date or term in your articles of incorporation.
As you plan on your blogging empire, you might find this useful when you want to start a short-term project.
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LLCs Protect Your Personal Asset.
As you create and build your blog, you should also be mindful of the fact that it is possible to lose it all.
This can be stressful if it was to happen.
You would not want to lose your blog business, savings, your investments and even that nice house or real estate you just bought.
However, by operating an LLC, all of your personal assets are well-protected.
The idea behind an LLC is the creation of a separate business entity.
Therefore, if things don’t work out, your business assets will be liquidated, however, your personal accounts and assets won’t be touched.
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Having Peace of Mind.
When you start a blog as a business, you want to focus all your energies on creating the asset.
Yes, you should consider your blog as an asset.
In this regard, you would like to have the confidence that your asset is protected.
Creating an LLC for your blog is going to provide you with the peace of mind you need. The protection provided by a limited liability company can help you avoid losing your creation.
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Separate Personal and Blog Finances.
It is very easy for you to mix your personal affairs and that of your blog business.
This becomes very important when your blog is generating income on a monthly basis. You do not want a situation where your personal finances are mixed with your blog business finances.
Even from an accountability point of view, you should try and separate that.
If this is one of the issues you are facing right now, then starting an LLC for your blog is a good idea.
How to Register an LLC for Your Blog
If you have taken the step to start a blog, you are already doing very well.
That is the most difficult part, and the one that most people avoid. If you have done that, this step is and should be easier for you.
You have considered whether you should start an LLC for your blog, and now want to register it.
Here is how you would go about registering an LLC for your blog today;
- Choose a name for your LLC. (It does not need to match your blog)
- File your Article of Organization.
- Pay Your Filing Fees.
- Create an Operating Agreement.
- Get any additional licenses needed to do business in your state.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I am hoping that you have been able to see that having an LLC for your blog can be beneficial to you.
There are several forms of businesses that include sole proprietorship, a limited liability company and a corporation among others.
As you build you blog into a business, it is prudent to have a formal set up. Starting a limited liability company for your blog would be a wise decision.
The benefits of starting an LLC for your blog are several as discussed above.
Frequently Asked Question
Should I form an LLC for a blog?
If you were to ask me, I would advise that you consider forming an LLC for your blog once you have reached a certain level.
You should focus on growing your audience, building trust and creating ways to make money with your blog first.
Once you have reached a certain threshold, that you have set for yourself, then you can start an LLC for your blog.
In principle, it is a good idea to set up your blog’s business structure to protect your personal assets.
Should you register your blog as a business?
The question of whether you should register your blog as a business depends on your end goals.
What do you want to achieve with your blog?
The answer to this question will determine your outlook on your blogging business.
If you are thinking of building it as a business, you should consider creating an LLC for your blog. However, you might not need to do that if your blog is just for fun.
While you most likely don’t need a federal business license for your blog, the majority of states require you have a general business license.
There may be fees and taxes to obtain a sales permit; each city and state has different requirements, so you’ll want to check to make sure.
Can a blog be considered a business?
From the perspective of the IRS, working as a blogger means you run your own business.
Even if you only work part-time as a blogger and full-time as a salaried employee somewhere else, the blogging part of your income qualifies as self-employment income.
How do I make sure my blog is legal?
As you start your journey as a blogger, you need to ensure some basics are taken care of.
This would ensure that your blog is legal and you actually own it.
You should do the following to make sure your blog is legal;
- Get a name and protect it with a trademark.
- Have the right blog documentation including disclaimers and disclosures.
- Put solid contracts in place with sponsors, collaborators, contractors, and vendors.
- Protect your blog content with copyrights.
How do I turn my blog into a business?
While it is okay to blog for fun, it is also a possibility that your blog can become a business.
if you are keen to turn your blog into a business, you need to ensure you set it up from the start for success.
There are steps you should take to turn your blog into a business today. These include;
- Create content consistently.
- Grow your audience.
- Build trust with your audience.
- Monetize your blog to generate income.
You should take the steps to turn your blog into a business and grow it.