Anyone else still waiting on payments?

[rochellefamous]

I’ve got a couple of invoices out right now, and checking my email has practically become part of my daily routine.

It got me wondering how everyone here handles payments.

Do you take deposits? Send contracts? Charge interest for late payments? Or do you just trust people until they give you a reason not to?

I’ve learned that getting clients is one thing, but getting paid on time is a completely different skill.

 

[nardoyaya]

I used to rely on trust alone, but I learned that clear payment terms are just as important as doing quality work.

 

[mildreddaisy]

I used to rely on trust alone, but I learned that clear payment terms are just as important as doing quality work.

I agree with this. I think most freelancers eventually learn that lesson at some point. A solid contract and clearly defined payment terms save a lot of stress later on.

 

[leeannedrew]

I’ve got a couple of invoices out right now, and checking my email has practically become part of my daily routine.

It got me wondering how everyone here handles payments.

Do you take deposits? Send contracts? Charge interest for late payments? Or do you just trust people until they give you a reason not to?

I’ve learned that getting clients is one thing, but getting paid on time is a completely different skill.

I’ve got a couple of invoices out right now, and checking my email has practically become part of my daily routine.

It got me wondering how everyone here handles payments.

Do you take deposits? Send contracts? Charge interest for late payments? Or do you just trust people until they give you a reason not to?

I’ve learned that getting clients is one thing, but getting paid on time is a completely different skill.

I usually ask for 50% upfront, especially with new clients. It saves a lot of headaches later on.

 

[janderalou]

I learned the hard way 5 years ago: 50% deposit upfront, period. No deposit, no work on the calendar.

 

[leeannedrew]

I learned the hard way 5 years ago: 50% deposit upfront, period. No deposit, no work on the calendar.

"Trusting people until they give you a reason not to" is an expensive hobby.

 

[gwynethsantos]

I learned the hard way 5 years ago: 50% deposit upfront, period. No deposit, no work on the calendar.

clients ever push back on the 50% deposit? I'm worried about losing potential deals.

 

[janderalou]

clients ever push back on the 50% deposit? I'm worried about losing potential deals.

Good clients expect it! It shows you're a professional operation, not a hobbyist. If they fight a standard deposit, that's a massive red flag anyway.