What I’m reading: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
What’s on the iPod: Almost Famous by Eminem
I wished for, and got, a slow day yesterday. It was nice to relax and settle in on a Monday. There were a few projects I could have done, but I concentrated instead on the article that’s due in about three weeks. I made good progress getting it framed in. Now it’s a matter of putting in quotes and handing it in with the invoice.
I had some time to get some poetry written, and I managed a short visit with a girlfriend who was donating items for two friends in need. Then back home to put a few more lines down on the article.
I was looking at the bank statement and it looks like my non-foreign check mailed from a foreign client finally cleared. Let’s hope so. I’d hate to have to go in and make a scene. Nothing I hate more than counting on funds to be deposited only to have them mess it up because they don’t slow down long enough to read the “Funds in US dollars” notation on it.
All this check chasing reminded me of the times in the early days of the career when the chasing took the form of clients who didn’t pay. I’m happy to say that’s not happened in ages. I think I know why, too. Here are steps I’ve taken that have resulted in invoices being paid promptly.
Increase the pay rate. It’s funny how raising the rates brings in clients who aren’t willing to waste time arguing or avoiding invoices. The minute I targeted clients at a higher rate, the problems dissipated.
Adopt a payment process. Every invoice now has a “Please pay within 15 days of receipt” notice on it. They’ll avoid it or forget about it if the due date is too open-ended. Just my experience. It’s also been my experience that sending a notice of litigation on the third (and final) invoice has never failed to secure payment.
Secure ongoing work. It’s just one more reason why I love ongoing project work from the same sources. If they’re organized enough to need regular work, chances are they’re organized enough to send regular payment. Not always the case. But it helps to work with clients that spell out the payment terms in the agreement. Currently, I work for two clients who do just that. And I can predict to the day when the check is coming.
Get it in writing. I like working with people who aren’t afraid to commit to paying me within a certain time frame. That includes magazines. If it’s not stated in the contract, I ask for it in the contract. None of that “pay upon publication” stuff. I handed an article in to a magazine back in 1996. I’m still waiting for word.
Choose clients wisely. Newbies, notice I said “choose.” Don’t take whatever client comes your way. As much as you’re needing them for work, they’re needing you for services. It’s okay to turn them down if you get a bad vibe, if they’re dodgy on the payment terms, etc.
How have you guaranteed (or vastly improved) your payment arriving?
9 responses to “Dude, Where’s My Check?”
Thanks for this timely post, Lori. I've added a link to mine. :o)
Getting 50% deposits on projects and for smaller gigs, requiring payment in full upfront.
Like you, Lori, I specify the Pay within… on my invoices.
And I agree, raising your fees does seem to attract clients that you don't have to chase for payment.
Thanks for this advice, Lori. It speaks a lot to not undervaluing myself as a writer. =)
Sam
Hi, Diane! Thanks for the link. 🙂
Cathy, great point. Definitely get the deposit on the larger stuff.
Sam, glad you realize you're worth more. :))
Contracts, contracts, contracts, and late fees. When they realize you're serious about late fees, they start paying on time.
One thing I have often wondered about is why some people will continue to take on work from clients or publications when they haven't been paid for stuff they did months ago?
No matter what the reason is, if they didn't pay you for previous work, there's no guarantee that you will get money for current projects. Maybe you will, but it's like playing Russian Roulette.
Absolutely right on pay rates. The majority of higher paying clients I've worked with just pay the invoice. No complaints, no delays. And when that does happen (rare) it's generally an issue like the client being on vacation, where I should have invoiced a bit early. Cheap clients tend to have a death grip on everything like it's their last dime. And they expect the world for it. More professional clients treat you like a professional, and pay accordingly because they understand your value and respect the work you do. You aren't just some replaceable body behind a computer.
I was patient with a long-time client who is past due on a measly $160 invoice. (No, I haven't written anything for them since.) Each month they said they'd pay soon, plus a bonus. Last week I e-mailed the accountant and the publisher and said it's been long enough. If you can't pay now, we'll arrange a payment plan. How pathetic is it when a magazine publisher jumps at the payment plan for such a small fee?
I'll have to start adding a due date on my invoices…
As for the Canadian checks. I had a check from a Canadian bank with a US presence, written in US dollars and my former bank wanted to assess a $40 "foreign check processing fee" and delay depositing my funds for 4-6 weeks. All this despite the bank's stated policy (which I pointed out to the teller and her manager) was no fee for US funds drawn on foreign banks with US branches. Luckily I have accounts at another bank, which deposited it immediately. Oh, the best part? That first bank collapsed less than two weeks after the first bank tried charging me $40 and holding my cash hostage for several weeks. The parent company of the bank that took it over? Canadian.
Yep, higher rates, 50% up front, a statement in contracts that if the money stops coming I stop writing. (I soften that with the reverse, but I won't stop 😉 )
I'll add a 15 day notice.
My solution to foreign checks is paypal and western union… won't accept foreign checks because it freaks us banks out… stupid, but there it is.