freelancers – how long to get paid???...
Out of context: Reply #22
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- matski0
As a professional, act professional.
In your contract, set timescales for payment. Mine is 30 days on receipt of invoice, with a 5% monthly service charge on overdue payments (this is deliberately high to entice payment).
If I've not received payment within 30 days, I will 'promptly' (on day 30) send a gentle reminder email, with a little reminder of the 5% service charge. This will inform the client that I am punctual, and they will know for anytime after to pay on time, as I've already set the president for being punctual. This is very important!
If people let payments slide for a few days (after their payment terms, mine being 30 days) before contacting their client about late payment, this sets a bad president, and says (consciously or subconsciously) to the client that you don't mind late payment, so they are less likely to pay on time.
So to reiterate, if you are a professional, act professional.