Comments on: How to Get Paid Quickly on Every Project http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/2008/07/how-to-get-paid-quickly-on-every-project/ It's Your Freelance Career - Make it Rich! Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:11:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Kim Gusta http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/2008/07/how-to-get-paid-quickly-on-every-project/comment-page-1/#comment-1211 Kim Gusta Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:09:03 +0000 http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/?p=42#comment-1211 Love this advice. Makes sense that if you give the client a choice, they'll be more invested in the outcome that they agreed to. One question, though: I'm a new copywriter. It seems most clients would balk at paying the the total billed amount before their final draft is delivered. I'd be reluctant to pay a contractor in full before my kitchen is remodel is complete. Do you get pushback on getting the full amount before your work is done? Love this advice. Makes sense that if you give the client a choice, they’ll be more invested in the outcome that they agreed to.

One question, though: I’m a new copywriter. It seems most clients would balk at paying the the total billed amount before their final draft is delivered. I’d be reluctant to pay a contractor in full before my kitchen is remodel is complete. Do you get pushback on getting the full amount before your work is done?

]]> By: Pete Savage, Editor http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/2008/07/how-to-get-paid-quickly-on-every-project/comment-page-1/#comment-91 Pete Savage, Editor Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:41:42 +0000 http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/?p=42#comment-91 Hi Ronnie, Great question. Yes, your revisions policy should be clearly stated in your contract, pointing out, as you do in your post, that an additional invoice will be issued for any revisions not included in the quote. Or... Some freelancers will include up to two rounds of revisions in the original quote, and might include wording along these lines in the contract... "Up to two rounds of revisions will be completed at no charge, provided the required revisions do not change the scope of the project as originally quoted. Any changes to the original project scope are subject to additional fees." Hi Ronnie,
Great question. Yes, your revisions policy should be clearly stated in your contract, pointing out, as you do in your post, that an additional invoice will be issued for any revisions not included in the quote. Or…

Some freelancers will include up to two rounds of revisions in the original quote, and might include wording along these lines in the contract… “Up to two rounds of revisions will be completed at no charge, provided the required revisions do not change the scope of the project as originally quoted. Any changes to the original project scope are subject to additional fees.”

]]> By: Ronnie Lebow http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/2008/07/how-to-get-paid-quickly-on-every-project/comment-page-1/#comment-89 Ronnie Lebow Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:52:36 +0000 http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/?p=42#comment-89 Here's a question. If they pay you 100% up front, what do you do about ongoing creative changes, revisions etc.? Do you stipulate (in an additional sentence or two) that these additional charges (if required) are not included and will be issued in a final invoice? Just wondering. Here’s a question.
If they pay you 100% up front, what do you do about ongoing creative changes, revisions etc.?
Do you stipulate (in an additional sentence or two) that these additional charges (if required) are not included and will be issued in a final invoice?
Just wondering.

]]> By: Pete Savage, Editor http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/2008/07/how-to-get-paid-quickly-on-every-project/comment-page-1/#comment-62 Pete Savage, Editor Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:01:28 +0000 http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/?p=42#comment-62 Alan - TERRIFIC tip! Who would have thought that mailing invoices would actually be FASTER! It just shows that when we think we're making things "easier" we should ask ourselves: Easier for whom? Your way takes more effort on your part, but that effort makes it easier for the CLIENT, and when it comes to getting paid, this is a worthwhile trade-off! I never would have thought of this - thank you for sharing! Alan – TERRIFIC tip! Who would have thought that mailing invoices would actually be FASTER! It just shows that when we think we’re making things “easier” we should ask ourselves: Easier for whom? Your way takes more effort on your part, but that effort makes it easier for the CLIENT, and when it comes to getting paid, this is a worthwhile trade-off! I never would have thought of this – thank you for sharing!

]]> By: Alan Kravitz http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/2008/07/how-to-get-paid-quickly-on-every-project/comment-page-1/#comment-60 Alan Kravitz Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:27:07 +0000 http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/?p=42#comment-60 GREAT advice, Pete. I will try this out. I also agree with the importance of getting friendly with people in accounts payable. I used to be shy about doing this; I didn't want my clients to think I was "nosey." But I've gotten over that fear, and I've realized that (a), clients don't mind this at all and (b), that accounts payable person can be a great help in tracking down that occasional invoice that just doesn't "land" where it's supposed to. Speaking of invoices, I must say I've had greater success mailing my invoices than with e-mailing them. Yes, it's slower, but at least with old-fashioned mail, the client (or an assistant) opens it and it's already in their hands. In my experience, that seems to make a difference. Now, I snail-mail all my clients - and belive it or not, I seem to get paid faster. GREAT advice, Pete. I will try this out. I also agree with the importance of getting friendly with people in accounts payable. I used to be shy about doing this; I didn’t want my clients to think I was “nosey.” But I’ve gotten over that fear, and I’ve realized that (a), clients don’t mind this at all and (b), that accounts payable person can be a great help in tracking down that occasional invoice that just doesn’t “land” where it’s supposed to.

Speaking of invoices, I must say I’ve had greater success mailing my invoices than with e-mailing them. Yes, it’s slower, but at least with old-fashioned mail, the client (or an assistant) opens it and it’s already in their hands. In my experience, that seems to make a difference. Now, I snail-mail all my clients – and belive it or not, I seem to get paid faster.

]]> By: Pete Savage, Editor http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/2008/07/how-to-get-paid-quickly-on-every-project/comment-page-1/#comment-57 Pete Savage, Editor Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:50:31 +0000 http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/?p=42#comment-57 Monica, thanks for your comments, and your #2 is a CRITICAL outcome that should not be overlooked... thank you for pointing it out! When a client has paid up front, you have their full attention! Background materials, feedback, and revisions all seems to flow to your way much faster once you're holding the check (or have already cashed it!) Monica, thanks for your comments, and your #2 is a CRITICAL outcome that should not be overlooked… thank you for pointing it out! When a client has paid up front, you have their full attention! Background materials, feedback, and revisions all seems to flow to your way much faster once you’re holding the check (or have already cashed it!)

]]> By: Steve Slaunwhite - Editor http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/2008/07/how-to-get-paid-quickly-on-every-project/comment-page-1/#comment-56 Steve Slaunwhite - Editor Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:40:37 +0000 http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/?p=42#comment-56 Pete, Monica & Michael, I learned the "10% discount for payment in advance" technique several years ago in a book called Million Dollar Consulting. The first time I tried the technique, it worked. Frankly, I was surprised. These days, 20-30% of my clients pay me in advance. Michael, one of my clients, a corporate marketing manager, also told me, "We're REQUIRED to accept all discount offers from our vendors." It's not an uncommon policy. Pete, Monica & Michael,

I learned the “10% discount for payment in advance” technique several years ago in a book called Million Dollar Consulting. The first time I tried the technique, it worked. Frankly, I was surprised. These days, 20-30% of my clients pay me in advance.

Michael, one of my clients, a corporate marketing manager, also told me, “We’re REQUIRED to accept all discount offers from our vendors.” It’s not an uncommon policy.

]]> By: Monica Ricci http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/2008/07/how-to-get-paid-quickly-on-every-project/comment-page-1/#comment-55 Monica Ricci Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:45:14 +0000 http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/?p=42#comment-55 Dude. You're a genius. I love this! I also do something to get people to pay up front. I offer a discount for volume. If they PRE-pay for three sessions or more with me and my team, they get ten percent off. It's not a ton of cash to give up, but it does two things: 1. It improves my cash flow and 2. It invests the client in the process because they've already paid. They're more willing to see it through quickly because of it. ~Monica Dude. You’re a genius. I love this! I also do something to get people to pay up front. I offer a discount for volume. If they PRE-pay for three sessions or more with me and my team, they get ten percent off. It’s not a ton of cash to give up, but it does two things:

1. It improves my cash flow and
2. It invests the client in the process because they’ve already paid. They’re more willing to see it through quickly because of it.

~Monica

]]> By: Pete Savage, Editor http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/2008/07/how-to-get-paid-quickly-on-every-project/comment-page-1/#comment-50 Pete Savage, Editor Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:49:12 +0000 http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/?p=42#comment-50 Great tip Michael. Offering a 10% reduction in return for getting paid up front is DEFINITELY worth it. Thanks for sharing that one. The more freelancers who adopt these kind of professional payment terms the better; it reinforces common practice that everyone - even beginners - can leverage. Great tip Michael. Offering a 10% reduction in return for getting paid up front is DEFINITELY worth it. Thanks for sharing that one. The more freelancers who adopt these kind of professional payment terms the better; it reinforces common practice that everyone – even beginners – can leverage.

]]> By: Dan Prender http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/2008/07/how-to-get-paid-quickly-on-every-project/comment-page-1/#comment-49 Dan Prender Wed, 23 Jul 2008 06:24:25 +0000 http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/?p=42#comment-49 I do editing freelance and charge as much as I can because this part of the work is so important and I am good at the job. Now I can use your techniques to get paid more quickly too? Great tips well presented;thanks. I do editing freelance and charge as much as I can because this part of the work is so important and I am good at the job. Now I can use your techniques to get paid more quickly too? Great tips well presented;thanks.

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