Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Welcome back to Digital Display Insider! If you’re just joining us, we’re in the middle of a special series teaching you how to use ChatGPT to build and grow your Mobile Digital Billboard business smarter, faster, and with less startup cost.
Last week, we talked about branding—how to create a professional identity that actually builds trust before you ever hit the street.
👉 If you missed it, you can catch up here: Issue 26 – How to Build a Real Brand (Not Just a Logo) for Your MDB Business
This week, we’re shifting gears into the side of the business that most new operators ignore until it’s too late: the legal, financial, and operational foundation.
This isn’t the fun part of building a business. But it’s the stuff that separates real companies from expensive hobbies.
Forming your entity, setting up your banking, getting the right insurance, documenting truck maintenance, having real service contracts—this is how you protect everything you’re working so hard to build.
The good news? You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars hiring attorneys, consultants, or accountants to do it.
With the right ChatGPT prompts (which I’m giving you in this issue), you can create the essential documents and checklists yourself—fast, cheap, and with confidence.
Let’s get your foundation built the right way.
Save Thousands in Professional Fees and Build a Rock-Solid Foundation in Days
One of the biggest advantages you have today as a new entrepreneur is access to tools that didn’t even exist a few years ago. At the top of that list? ChatGPT.
When I launched my first business, setting up the legal and operational side meant paying attorneys, consultants, and accountants thousands of dollars—or risking major mistakes by trying to DIY it.
Today, for about $20 a month, you can use ChatGPT to build the documents, checklists, and systems you need to run a legitimate Mobile Digital Billboard business—without blowing your startup capital.
This issue is part of our special series on how to use ChatGPT to start and grow your MDB business. Last week we talked about branding and building your identity.
This week, we’re getting into the less glamorous (but absolutely critical) work of setting up the legal, financial, and operational foundation you’ll need to survive—and thrive.
And don’t worry—I’m not just telling you what to do. I’m giving you specific, detailed prompts you can copy straight into ChatGPT to create professional-grade assets in minutes.
Let’s dig in.
I recommend LegalZoom for forming your LLC.
It’s what I personally used. It's affordable, simple, and it gets the job done without needing to pay an expensive attorney.
But forming the LLC is just the first step.
After your Articles of Organization are filed, there’s a whole list of tasks you’ll need to complete to be fully operational.
Here’s where ChatGPT can help you knock it out quickly.
I’m starting a Mobile Digital Billboard company, and I am using LegalZoom to create my LLC because it’s a cost-effective way to make sure it’s done right without hiring an expensive attorney. I need you to create an exhaustive checklist of everything I need to do from a legal and business setup standpoint once the LLC is created to get my business fully operational. Include steps like registering the business, obtaining an EIN, setting up a business bank account, securing necessary licenses, getting commercial auto insurance, setting up bookkeeping, and anything else a new MDB business owner would need to have in place to be legally ready to operate.
When you run this prompt, you’ll get a clean list covering things like:
You’ll have a clear action plan instead of flying blind.
If your truck’s GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) or actual weight is 10,001 pounds or higher, you are legally required to register it with the DOT (Department of Transportation) and comply with commercial vehicle rules—even if you’re only operating locally.
DOT compliance includes:
Even if your truck is under 10,001 lbs, it's smart to implement some of these disciplines early.
Not only will it protect you legally if something happens, it will make your operation look much more professional to insurance companies, event organizers, and bigger clients.
Here are two systems you should set up from day one:
Create a basic daily pre-trip inspection checklist for a Mobile Digital Billboard truck. The checklist should cover vehicle safety (lights, tires, brakes), generator function (oil levels, startup checks), LED screen operation (functionality, loose panels), and proper documentation of any issues found before starting the day’s route or event.
Create a simple maintenance log template for a Mobile Digital Billboard truck. It should include fields for truck mileage, generator hours, oil changes, fuel fills, LED screen inspections, electrical system checks, and notes for any minor repairs or service updates.
Daily inspections and proper recordkeeping don’t just help you stay compliant—they extend the life of your truck, protect your warranties, and build a strong case if you ever need to file an insurance claim.
If you remember nothing else from this article, remember this:
“Never run a single ad campaign without a signed contract. Period.”
Too many new operators skip this step because they’re excited to close a deal or they "trust" the client.
But in advertising, money moves slow. Clients change their minds.
If you don’t have the agreement in writing, you’ll have no legal ground to stand on when payment doesn’t come—or when a client demands refunds or sues over “performance” claims.
Here’s the other thing most new operators miss:
Different models require different contracts.
Trying to use one contract for both models will leave you exposed.
Create a simple maintenance log template for a Mobile Digital Billboard truck. It should include fields for truck mileage, generator hours, oil changes, fuel fills, LED screen inspections, electrical system checks, and notes for any minor repairs or service updates.
This will give you a strong starting point to customize.
📢 Want proven, time-tested agreements that match the exact MDB models?
In my MDB University Coaching Program, I include both a Shared Route Agreement and an Exclusive Campaign Agreement—documents that have been refined over years of real-world campaigns.
These aren’t generic templates—they’re battle-tested contracts that have protected real operators through missed payments, service disputes, and high-value event contracts.
If you’re collecting leads on your website (and you should be), you’re legally required to have basic Privacy and Terms pages in place.
Create a basic Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions page for a Mobile Digital Billboard company website. The company will be collecting customer information via lead capture forms, such as names, emails, and phone numbers, and may use cookies for basic analytics. Keep it simple but professional, compliant with U.S. laws, and appropriate for a small business.
It’s easy to add to your site—and it shows you’re a legitimate business that plays by the rules.
It’s tempting to rush through the legal and operational setup so you can “get to the good stuff.”
But building a business that lasts starts with doing the boring things right the first time.
Thanks to tools like ChatGPT (and smart shortcuts like LegalZoom), it’s never been easier—or cheaper—to build the foundation of a real business without spending thousands in attorney’s fees.
Set it up right now, while things are simple. Later, when the clients come faster and the trucks multiply, you’ll be glad you did.
Next Week:
We’re shifting from behind-the-scenes to front-of-house—Building Your Local Presence: Media Kits, Google Profiles, and Local Domination Strategies.
Let’s keep building your future legacy.
I’m excited to announce that Legion LED Trucks has partnered with Currency to offer flexible financing and lease options for both new and used LED trucks! Whether you’re looking to start or grow your MDB business, these leasing plans provide an affordable way to get on the road with minimal upfront investment.
Leasing is an excellent option for operators who want to keep cash flow steady while upgrading their equipment regularly. With 36-, 48-, and 60-month turnback leases available, you can keep your fleet up to date without the commitment of long-term ownership. For example:
To qualify, applicants need a minimum 670+ credit score and three months of bank statements. Additional requirements may apply. Financing is subject to credit approval, and terms may vary based on creditworthiness and truck selection.
This partnership is designed to make it easier than ever to grow your business without tying up capital. For more information or to explore your leasing options, contact us today!
Founder/CEO Legion LED Trucks
Jerry Teeter is a pioneer in the mobile digital billboard industry, with over a decade of experience operating and manufacturing state-of-the-art LED trucks. As the founder of Legion LED Trucks and the creator of Digital Display Insider, Jerry shares his expertise to help entrepreneurs and businesses succeed in this innovative advertising space.
Legion LED Trucks is your source for new and used LED trucks and trailers.
If you need financing, lease options, or help knowing how to make money with your new truck, we can help you there too!
Contact us today and we will help you get started in your LED truck journey.