When to ask for pay from the client?

"Hey, I just want to give you a friendly reminder that I still haven't got my payment. I know that PayPal is having some downtime right now, so I just want to make sure everything is okay and nothing gets confused/lost" -- or something like that (shot in the dark)
 
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Bring it up in passing, for example "Where should I send the invoice?", or "which method of payment works best for you?". Once the subject has been brought up, stay on it, politely but firmly, until a time or payment schedule is made clear. If they miss payments, don't hesitate to bring this to their attention.
 
let someone brush you off or push you around once in business and you can expect to be treated that way for the rest of the relationship. Be clear up front how and when you want to be paid and make no exceptions. Set the tone early on or be prepared for a good fucking.
 
adbot said:
let someone brush you off or push you around once in business and you can expect to be treated that way for the rest of the relationship. Be clear up front how and when you want to be paid and make no exceptions. Set the tone early on or be prepared for a good fucking.
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Hey mate, you are right I agree its the choice of writers to either get fucked or get paid. The choice completely lies in the hands of the writer.
 
It's very easy to request payment without explicitly asking for it. I understand where you're coming from, in that I definitely don't want to send an e-mail just to say, "Are you ready to pay?" or something like that.

What I do is just put together an invoice and just write an e-mail saying,
"Dear [Name], [usually at this point I just use the person's name, or "hello," etc. because I am on friendly terms with them]

You will find your invoice and description of services attached.

Please make checks out to [Business Name] or you can PayPal your payment to [PayPal address]. If you would like to make a cash or check payment, please let me know when you're available to meet up.

Thank you! We appreciate your business.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]"
 
I dont understand why people have such a hard time asking for money. no one has a problem asking you for money when you go to purchase something do they? When was the last time the kid behind the counter at Mcdonalds asked you "When would be a good time for you to pay sir?" It doesn't happen. Pay first, eat later. If a snot nosed 15 year old covered in acne has no problem telling you to cough up some cash for the burgers, then why do you have such a hard time?
 
peerless2acme said:
Since, I began writing for various clients across the world, one thing which kept haunting me time and again, was when to ask the client for the payment. For instance, if I wrote a project and it was decided that I would be paid instantly after the completion of the project but the client failed to pay for the next two days, then when is the right time to ask for the payment.

There are some clients who take it personally and react very rudely in case you are asking them to pay. Then, there are others who starting thinking that you are needy or you are pissing them. What to do? I am muddled whenever I come across such clients.
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You always send an invoice upon completion of the project. Beyond that, you have to nail down the terms prior to taking on the job. You invoice should include the terms as well. PayPal has a built in invoicing system which is nice if you're using it to received your payments.
 
So it seems the general consensus here is to get half up front and half after completion?

On the topic, have any of you ever been burned by clients?
 
when you are writing articles always get your money first . this is a simple rule .
 
peerless2acme said:
But don't you think client won't feel bad about it? As in, he would feel that we are doubting him/her in case we ask for upfront pay because I have had bad experiences in the past. What is your say on this?
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Always ask for upfront payment. and if they doubt you, build some credibility first, do it through various freelancing sites, even fiverr.
 
you can easily send a payment request or invoice through paypal. There is an option to remind as well.
 
I've been burnt before. Now it is 100% upfront only. If you customer doesn't trust
you as a supplier and you don't know if you're going to be paid or not that no
business should be conducted.
 
I tell you something, If some one want to get done their work by you, Never do work for free. Get first payment and then deliver the work, this is what my mentor taught me, he said if you dont respect your work yourself then other also do non.
 
We do half down and half when complete unless its a very small project - We do web & graphic design. If it's a really big project maybe even a payment plan but ALWAYS get a deposit for big projects. If they can't put down atleast something you may have issues getting anything from them.

Also I found if everything is explained in the beginning the whole project usually goes smoothly. Also a portfolio and a professional looking invoice helps a lot :)

Also might as well put some adsense on the online portfolio :)
 
For a small project, 50% upfront and 50% net 10. (net 10 = delivery + 10 days)
Some people do net 30, but this fucks up your cashflow. Do net 10.

For a larger project, break it into milestones, and get the cash at net 10 for every milestone.
If the person doesn't pay, you stop working.
You also need a brief contract at the beginning of the project that says they don't get to use the work unless they pay for the full project. That way, if they use your work without paying, you can sue them.

p.s. stop working with asshole clients. They make you miserable. 90% of the hassle for 10% of the clients. If the person doesn't trust you enough to give you 50% upfront, then they are not a good client.


peerless2acme said:
Yo mate!! That's some tough words :). All these days I was thinking of a possible solution and i seriously believe that upfront payment is the only solution. Though there are some hitches but we have to deal with them.
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"Starting work without a contract is like putting a condom on after taking a home pregnancy test" -Mike Monteiro of Mule Design in his talk, Fuck you, Pay Me

Watch this video, like right now: http://vimeo.com/22053820

If a client asks why you want partial upfront payment, you explain that you need operating capital and it messes up your cashflow otherwise.


PM me for more details or reply on this thread.
 
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I would get all the money before the project is started. If not, then half up front, half when the job is completed.
 
logoz said:
I tell you something, If some one want to get done their work by you, Never do work for free. Get first payment and then deliver the work, this is what my mentor taught me, he said if you dont respect your work yourself then other also do non.
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No one intends to work for free unless he does it for charity. During my initial days I was cheated to a great extent and this was only because I was a newbie on different forums and no one wished to trust me and pay upfront payment. i consider it as one of the major reasons for getting cheated.

We need to do something for Newbies who are new to forums because no ones wishes to trust them and give them a try. Since they are new and some members do not pay upfront so they perceive that they can't get upfront, which subsequently leads to they getting cheated. I must say when I become a senior member on this forum I will ensure that I give optimum chance to newbies because they need support from senior members so that cheats lurking here can't fool and cheat them.
 
It's industry standard to charge 50% up front and 50% upon completion and before handing over the goods.

In the case of doing work on BHW, I'd probably want 100% upfront. LOL
 
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