How do I hand my video production company’s freelance crew over to a new owner?
Introduce the new owner to each key freelancer in person, on real jobs, before the sale closes. Explain what will stay the same, and listen to their concerns. Freelancers are not part of the sale, so the new owner has to earn their continued work.
A crew cannot be sold. Freelancers choose who to work for, so the handover is about trust, and trust takes time. Begin by listing everyone who works with the company regularly, what they do and how much each client depends on them. Some of them matter far more than others.
Plan joint days. Let the new owner work alongside the crew on a live shoot, with you present. Introduce them as someone who will keep the standards you set, and let the crew see how decisions are made. Have conversations one on one with your most important people, and ask what would make them stay.
Be clear about the practical matters: how booking works, how and when freelancers are paid, what happens to rates and whether any agreements are in place. Do not promise terms on the buyer’s behalf. Your lawyer can tell you whether any of the crew should be treated as employees and what documents the new owner needs. Afterwards, stay reachable during the handover period and be willing to vouch for the new owner. Crew who feel respected tend to keep working, and crew who hear about a sale at the last minute may not.
Key takeaways
- List the crew members who matter most and meet each one before the sale closes.
- Run joint shoots so the crew sees how the new owner works.
- Do not promise terms for the buyer; confirm status and paperwork with your lawyer.
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Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentAdvice for succession planning - Articles and tools
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