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Late Payments

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone had any tips on getting clients to pay up in a timely fashion?

Am a freelance writer, with a number of regular gigs with online and offline publications, but, with a couple of exceptions - which have just about kept my head above water some months - they're all pretty awful at paying up on time. The payments trickle through eventually, but often not without pushing from me.

It's really getting me down, and may well end up sinking me financially. So...what do you do?

TIA for any help!
Roger

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No useful advice, I'm afraid, but if it's any comfort, it's not just you:

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-amount-of-lost-wages-for-unpaid-freelance-work-in-new-york-47-billion-2010-8

Hope that makes you feel a little better, dude...
Brad

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You might be able to get partial payment before you start and setup an installment plan for the remainder of the work. To make it easier for them to understand, tell new clients about the reasons behind your fee arrangements and that for your protection, as well as theirs, you will give them portions of the assignment once payment has been received. This also gives the client the option to review the work and if they are not satisfied go elsewhere for help, with no additional costs incurred.

P.S. Make sure you have a no money back policy.
Hope

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You should have new clients give you a small non-refundable deposit (refundable if you never submit the first installment) based upon the assignment and then setup installment plans for the remainder of the work. If new clients have a hard time accepting this, tell them about your past and current issues with non-payment. Also explain to them that this is for your protection, as well as theirs.

If for some reason they are not pleased with your work then they can find someone else to complete the assignment, without any additional costs incurred on either side.

But as a sign of good faith, after they pay the deposit, you might submit the next installment before you ask for payment. But of course this option would depend upon you and how much you trust the client.
Hope