Comments on: Scenario: Contracts and Payments

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 13:38:42 +0000

Anne, I love the pay-as-you-go idea. I do that for large projects or bundles of projects, but the smaller ones are tougher.

Great idea on the verbiage for changes, too.

Paula, I had a client who told me in July "Check is in the mail." In August, he said, "Yes, getting right on that." In September, he said "I never received the invoice!" I simply copied him on his previous emails. The check came in October after I threatened litigation.

When they lie, they're fired.

By: Paula

Paula — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 22:58:53 +0000

My issue has been with late payers. I politely restate their payment terms and point out how they are past due according to their own terms.

Only problem is they ignore my first e-mail, and late pretend they never got it. Right - the editor I blind copied managed to get the same e-mail when the publisher didn't?

This time, I might just call. Catch them off guard.

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 20:17:54 +0000

I like Thanksgiving too, Lori.

When a client tries to change the contract terms I send them a copy of the one they signed with the appropriate clause or section bolded or in red or something.

I also highlight the portion that says any changes must be in writing and agreed to by both parties - a great clause imo.

Sometimes that solves it... since my ghostwriting is pretty much pay as you go, if we don't get square I drop the project and move on.