This is one of those freelance challenges that really can break your business — those clients who want to wait 60, 90 days, even over a YEAR to pay their bills.

 

That’s great for them, but I don’t know any bill that would let your payment slide a whole 2 months plus and be ok.

 

You get too many clients that want to drag their feet on payment and your whole freelance business could tank.

 

Fixing Late Payers

That’s exactly why expectation management around payment is SO important.  

 

Personally, I do it at three levels. My proposals mention my billing schedule (under an asterisk at the bottom of the fee schedule.). My contract spells out late fees and payment expectation in a section clearly labeled “Payments”. But also, just to be sure, I ask my clients if the way I bill (PayPal) is ok with them, or if they prefer PDFs, use their own system, or some other method.

 

In some (very select cases…usually higher invoices or new clients), I’ll even send an email before the first bill goes out to let them know it’s coming.

 

The earlier you start the payment conversation, the fewer bumps and surprises either of you have.

 

 

Megan