How do we deal with questions that might be on-topic on other sites like OnStartups?

Question

There's a question posted that initially appeared off-topic because it asked about where to incorporate: Is there an ideal state in which to incorporate in the USA?

While this is a question that could be served by the OnStartups community, could incorporating as a freelancer or self-employed person be something that would come up as an actual freelancing/self-employed problem? Do freelancers or self-employed people oftentimes incorporate in states or jurisdictions they don't live in, such as how a startup might? I've never thought to do this, but is this something people do?

If the answers to these questions are "yes", then we should recognize that some questions posted here may overlap somewhat in scope with our neighbors at OnStartups. This is not a bad thing nor should it mean the questions are off-topic. However, we should ensure that the question applies to freelancers or the self-employed.

If the answer is "no", then this is likely to be off-topic here.

In the example I link to, the question is about finding the best state to incorporate in as a small business. Many freelancers consider themselves to be a small business; therefore, is this really off-topic? How can we edit this post to make it more on-topic and justify reopening it?

In short, the litmus test for determining whether or not a question is off-topic or not isn't "is this on-topic on site X?". Instead, ask "is this a problem that a freelancer or self-employed person would have?"

From the FAQ:

Freelancing Stack Exchange is for self-employed and freelance workers.

It may also be helpful for us to define what the difference is between a freelancer, someone who is self-employed, and a startup. Does a small business fall into the freelancer/self-employed category? What criteria must a small business have in order to be considered in the same category as the self-employed/freelancing crowd? Answering these questions will help us better determine the scope as well as how to tailor certain questions to fit that scope without changing their meaning.

Answer 1

It may also be helpful for us to define what the difference is between a freelancer, someone who is self-employed, and a startup.

Dare I confuse this valid question further, by throwing consultant and contractor into the mix.

In many respects, a start-up is (usually, and unless it is your own start-up) a different can-of-worms from a freelancer/self-employed, especially if/when employees are involved.

In the context of this site (as I see it) a freelancer/self-employed/consultant/contractor is (most likely) a one-man-band, working for themselves, selling their skills/knowledge.

Answer 2

Indeed, we need to have a definition of what is on-topic here, instead of saying it is on-topic elsewhere and voting to close.

I don't think that startups and freelancers are too similar; I wouldn't find myself making a startup any time soon, but maybe if i met other like-minded professionals, there is probably a possibility that I may form a startup with them. If this was the case, I would be more likely to visit OnStartups and ask questions about this.

As Andrew says, I think this site is mostly for one-man-bands (with or without contracts/agencies)

Answer 3

Do remember as well, part of the SE mentality is to have some overlap of on-topic items; as an example, from SuperUser, we get questions about Linux/Unix, Ubuntu, Apple, and even some Programming and Server Administration; 95% of them are on topic for us, but still have a separate Stackexchange site to stick the questions. Over there, if it's on topic on SuperUser, it's on topic and can stay; the original poster can flag their own questions for migration if they are not receiving enough attention on one site, so long as they are also on topic on the destination site

Answer 4

I would propose two aspects to deciding this:

1. Is it relevant to freelancers/consultants/contractors who are largely working independently?

2. Is it asked with this audience in mind?

Examples of things I think should be on topic:

1. When should I look at forming an LLC?

2. How should I compensate for my business not being very large?

Examples of things that might be in the gray areas are:

1. Should I try to form a formal business partnership with another consultant?

2. Should I hire an employee for [non-service-delivery job] or contract to another business?

3. I have my own LLC. How do I account for payroll since I am my own employee?

Examples of things that would clearly be off-topic would be things like looking for seed money, approaching investors, looking for talent to hire, and much more.