As a freelancer, getting paid on time is important for you to be able to remain in business. If you sent your client an invoice and it's long past the date due, here are some tips on how can you get your client to pay.
Was the Client Happy With the Work You Did?
First, determine if the client was happy with the project. A delay in payment can sometimes mean that the client didn't like the work. That doesn't mean it's okay for the client to refuse to pay you, but it can open up a dialog that will help you better understand your client's needs going forward. Calling to see if there was a problem can be the first step in reminding the client about his obligation to pay.
Send a Reminder Invoice
Things get lost in the mail (or even on our desks, sometimes!) so a reminder invoice is a good idea. It can prompt a client who may have misplaced an original invoice or simply thought he mailed it. Failure to pay doesn't always mean the client was unhappy or doesn't have the money, sometimes it just means he got busy. We've all been there.
A reminder invoice should look different than the original. There should be some distinction that lets the client know this is the second invoice for this same project. A reminder invoice can highlight the original due date, say "second notice," or even simply "reminder." Let your relationship with the client dictate the tone of the note.
Send a New Bill That Includes Current and Past Work
If you are still doing work for the client, a great way to get them to pay a past invoice is to combine the bill for the older work with the current project. Simply create a bill as you normally would, and include a "previous unpaid balance" line that lets the client know you still expect them to pay.
Another option is to hold off on doing new work until the past due amount arrives. In this case, instead of a combined bill, you can give the client a combined estimate/bill. You can provide a written estimate for new work along with a reminder of past due amounts.
Get a Friend to Call
Freelancers are often on a tight budget, so that means they often do not have staff to help them follow up on things like collection calls. In this case, do a barter arrangement with another freelancer. Have your friend contact your client in exchange for the a promise that you will do the same for her sometime the road if she needs it.
Getting a friend to call can let the client know that you are serious about payment. Talking to a third party will prompt some clients to send out payment quicker than they would by talking to the freelancer.
More serious collections may require hiring an agency or even taking your client to small claims court. Before you do that, however, try one of the methods listed above. Often a failure to pay simply means that the client got busy and forget. A gentle reminder can help.
Cherie Burbach - Cherie Burbach writes about dating, relationships, health, sports, and lifestyle. She's the author of eleven books and ebooks.
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