
For most freelancers, getting paid is one of the top concerns. While there will always be reliable and trustworthy clients out there who’ll pay your invoice the moment it arrives in their email inbox, there’s always going to be the kind that will try and put off paying for as long as possible, which is frustrating when you’ve done a lot of work for them. With the average business waiting over seventy days for payments, not getting paid on time can lead to problems. Thankfully, there are some measures that you can take to help ensure that you are getting paid on time.
Make It Easy
Many freelancers aren’t getting paid on time because it’s not easy for their clients to make the payment. If you’re sending paper invoices, for example, or not clearly listing your payment details on the invoice, this could slow the payment down even if your client has the money ready to pay you. It is also worth considering where your client is located and which payment methods are best for them. An overseas client might struggle to transfer money directly to your US bank account, for example, but will easily be able to use apps to send money online.
Send Invoices Faster
Sending out your invoices faster is a simple and easy way to get paid faster. This is an issue for many creative freelancers who are burned out after pouring their heart and soul into a project and don’t want to think about it for a few days after completion, which ends up with them putting off sending the invoice. The best thing to do is create your invoices as you go so that they are ready to send immediately after you have finished the project.
Get Paid Upfront
While a brand-new client might be a little apprehensive about paying you upfront, it’s always worth asking long-standing clients that you’ve built a good relationship with if they would be able to pay some upfront and some upon project completion. This is an ideal option for longer projects that are going to take a lot of work, allowing you to ensure that you have been paid at least some of your fee before even getting started.
Keep the Due Date Short
It is common practice for freelancers to set their due date for thirty days when sending an invoice, which gives the client a lot of time to pay – and forget that they need to pay. When clients are busy and you’re giving them so much time to make your payment, they might easily overlook it. Because of this, it’s a good idea to decrease your payment due date to no longer than fourteen days. This will create more of a sense of urgency for your client when it comes to making the payment and minimize the risk of them forgetting about it altogether.
As a freelancer, not getting paid for your work on time can be a huge worry. Thankfully, working with your clients and putting measures in place to make payments easier for them can help you get what you’re due on time.