What No One Tells You About That One-Off Gig.

Freelance today, full-time someday.

In this edition:

• Why “just a gig” might be more strategic than it looks

• The hidden cost of waiting for a full-time job

• A framework for deciding between freelance and staff offers

• What your credit list says about your career (and what it doesn’t)

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A question I get very often:

“Should I take this short-term gig, or wait for something permanent?”

On one hand, you’re offered a tournament job—$450 per game, five games, fast turnaround. No long-term security.

On the other, you’re holding out for something full-time. Steady paycheck. Benefits. Structure. But it’s not guaranteed. And it’s not coming fast.

This is the freelancer’s paradox in broadcasting: choose the credit or chase the contract?

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Here’s what most people get wrong:

They assume the short gig is just that—short. Not worth the extra effort. Not “career material.”

But what I’ve seen over and over again is this:

That one-day production? It’s often the entry point to the next five jobs.

Every major freelancer I know—every single one—has a story that starts like this:

“I almost said no. But I needed the money. I showed up, did the work, and two months later I was flown out for something twice as big”.

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But here’s the part no one tells you:

Production companies rarely hire full-time until they’ve worked with you contract-to-contract.

You’re not being tested. You’re being tracked.

They want to see:

• Can you take direction?

• Do you play well with others?

• Will you show up ready, with no ego?

• Can you perform under high pressure?

If the answer is yes, you get called again. If it’s yes twice, you get short-listed. If it’s yes five times, you might get offered something steady.

That “gig” becomes your resume in action.

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So what’s the smart move?

It depends on what you need more right now:

• Experience? Take the gig. Credits compound.

• Money? Do the math. How many days of part-time pay = a full-time salary?

• Stability? If you have a family, limited savings, or need health insurance, a full-time role might be the better fit right now. Just ask if they'll still allow some freelance work on the side to keep your momentum going.

There’s no perfect choice. Only opportunities.

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Try this: The Role Filter Test

Before you say yes (or no) to your next offer, ask yourself:

1. Will this role get me closer to the gigs I really want?

2. Is this a team or company I want to be visible to?

3. Can I afford to say no—financially and professionally?

If the answers point toward yes, take the job. Even if it’s at the lower end of your personal rate card. Even if it’s one day.

Because in this business, you’re not just building a career. You’re building trust.

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Final thought:

The best pros I know didn’t wait for stability to show up.

They earned it—one gig at a time.

Your dream job (and contract) might be hiding inside a job you almost turned down.

Make sure you have a clear idea of where you want to go, and take temporary jobs that move you in that direction.

Have a great week.