40 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
40 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

How do you handle slow paying clients?

by Keeslover
31 replies
I work under another copywriter and there seems to be an issue with a few of her clients being very slow to pay. Most of her business is web copy and she charges half upfront (will not start project without it) and half when the final copy is completed. Most of them pay her by check, but the cash flow is not what it should be for the work we are doing.

Was just wondering how you handle payment. I've suggested that she start requiring a credit card number when the contract is signed. Then if she has not received a check by X days after the final copy is turned in, she charges the card. She's thought about not delivering the final copy until she has a check in hand.

Thank you.
Melody
#clients #handle #paying #slow #slow paying #web copywriter
  • Profile picture of the author Woody C
    A. Accept full payment upfront and offer a guarantee

    B. Accept 1/2 payment and get CC number to charge so many days after services rendered. (like you said)

    C. Get CC number and offer a payment plan with guarantee
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[881042].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Keeslover
      Thanks, Woody. Looks like getting a CC number on the contract is the way to go.

      The full payment with guarantee is a great idea too. Do you do this, and if so what kind of guarantee do you offer?
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[881073].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author tlimstliy3
    You can guarantee that the product will be delivered as per contract in x amount of time upon receipt of full payment, i.e., $x -- then restate all this in your store policy (or terms of service, or whatever) and provide a link to your store policy in your invoice or email with job description.

    If a client tries to barter down or whatever, just say, "Oh, that is our policy." Then immediately redirect them to the project , "Yes, and about your project... did you mean....?"

    Good luck!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[881145].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Bamma
    I agree with the above post.
    I freelance and at times outsource basic work.
    I pay my workers regardless of my clients payment status.
    I also NEVER let me workers know MY business nor even have any contact with my clients.
    That way no drama and it stays business not personal
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[881598].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Raydal
    Originally Posted by Keeslover View Post


    Was just wondering how you handle payment. I've suggested that she start requiring a credit card number when the contract is signed. Then if she has not received a check by X days after the final copy is turned in, she charges the card. She's thought about not delivering the final copy until she has a check in hand.

    Thank you.
    Melody
    There a thing called chargeback. Even if you have someone's CC number
    doesn't mean that you have their money. It's tricky when dealing with
    clients and receiving payment on time. There is always a risk even
    when you receive full payment upfront.

    I have clients who pay me after the job is completed because they
    are long-time clients so I don't even require a deposit. And there
    are clients who never paid the balance and you have to just move
    on and monitor if they use your copy.

    -Ray Edwards
    Signature
    The most powerful and concentrated copywriting training online today bar none! Autoresponder Writing Email SECRETS
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[881683].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Keeslover
    Thanks, Ken, Bamma and Ray. I appreciate your posts.

    Ray, do you state in your contract that the client cannot use the copy if they don't pay? Or am I misunderstanding your post?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[882051].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Raydal
      Originally Posted by Keeslover View Post

      Thanks, Ken, Bamma and Ray. I appreciate your posts.

      Ray, do you state in your contract that the client cannot use the copy if they don't pay? Or am I misunderstanding your post?
      Of course. A client cannot use your copy if they don't pay you,
      that's stealing. Except you have a special arrangement where
      they pay you over time (against profits) then they must clear
      their bill before using the copy.

      -Ray Edwards
      Signature
      The most powerful and concentrated copywriting training online today bar none! Autoresponder Writing Email SECRETS
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[882068].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Keeslover
    That makes complete sense.

    A lot to learn...thanks again, Ray.

    Melody
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[882087].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Steve Peters Benn
    You really should apply late charges, that sort of treatment is disgusting! If the client is in genuine difficulty they should explain.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[882108].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author MikeHumphreys
      The latest a client has ever been paying me to date is 2 weeks. A few have emailed me and given me a heads-up if they needed a few more days... usually because they transferred funds from PayPal and it hadn't been credited at their bank yet.

      Am I lucky? Maybe.

      The thing is, I don't give them the sales copy until they've paid the balance they owe. Half upfront and it's non-refundable to book their project. The balance due upon delivery of the screen capture shot of the sales letter. I tell everyone my policy on my website before they ever tell me about their project or agree to hire me.

      Yes, they could take the time to manually type in 10, 12, or more pages of copy... but most clients won't. And those that do, well... that's why having a solid business lawyer in your rolodex is a good idea.
      Signature
      Kickstart Your Copywriting Business: How To Get Loads of New Clients FAST!

      Kick-A$$ Eight-Figure Producing Copywriting Gun For Hire | Marketing & Copywriting Blog
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[882990].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Keeslover
    The screen shot idea is a great one, Mike.

    Steve, you're right. Late fees can and should be applied. When I worked in corporate America, they always treated late payment like we were financing the customer and added fees accordingly.

    Thank you both. I've got some great ideas for how to handle my own clients now.

    Melody
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[884758].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Clint
    This is only my personal opinion, but if I was her I would only accept full upfront payment. You can back this up with a full 100% guarantee on your work.

    In my opinion, this is the best thing you can do
    I hope this helped
    Clint
    Signature

    How do I quickly go from $0 to $500 a day?....
    =====> Click here to find out how (VIP)

    You only have a week to stay ahead of your competition, System To Secret Wealth is here
    =====> Click here to grab your spot (WSO)

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[886394].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Daniel Scott
    Mike,

    Interesting idea RE: the screen shots.

    Do you just take 20 screenshots and send them all at once?

    Interested about this process.

    -Dan
    Signature

    Always looking for badass direct-response copywriters. PM me if we don't know each other and you're looking for work.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[886611].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Dean Dhuli
      Originally Posted by Daniel Scott View Post

      Do you just take 20 screenshots and send them all at once?
      Why 20? Snagit lets you save the entire word doc or html page as one image file.

      Just use the "scrolling window" or similar option depending on what
      version of Snagit you're using.






      []
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[886872].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Raydal
      Originally Posted by Daniel Scott View Post

      Mike,

      Interesting idea RE: the screen shots.

      Do you just take 20 screenshots and send them all at once?

      Interested about this process.

      -Dan
      I'm not sure what Mike uses but my best guess is SnagIt.
      That's one of the more popular programs to take screen shots.
      It can take a 'scrolling' shot of the entire sales letter as one file.

      -Ray Edwards
      Signature
      The most powerful and concentrated copywriting training online today bar none! Autoresponder Writing Email SECRETS
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[887683].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author briancassingena
    I say...YOU'RE FIRED. I've fired clients on RentACoder...and that means giving up ANY money! If someone is trying to stiff you and play hard-to-get-money-out-of, even if they DO use your copy, they are NEVER going to make any impact, and if they do...time to call in the legal beagles
    Signature
    Copywriting For Non-Copywriters: FREE 30-Day Journey
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[886897].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Keeslover
    Thanks to everyone. I really appreciate your help.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[887673].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Sonam22
    I struggled with this issue in the beginning. After I started sending requiring part of my fee up-front and including the invoice with my completed work, most problems stopped. I have made the occassional call to the person in charge of remitting payment, but I haven't had anyone stiff me on what is rightfully mine. That's the way we must look at non-payment; the client is holding our property hostage.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1032158].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Bigsofty
    I actually go the opposite, asking for quite a low deposit as it lowers the barrier.

    Then I work WITH the client as much as possible, building a relationship and letting them see that I leave no stone unturned while trying to help. I also make absolutely certain I know what they want and expect.

    Then I sprinkle a little magical dust - by pointing out other stuff they'll need and get cheap from me, such as press releases, re-doing their 'about us' page and so on - after the salesletter project is complete.

    Then I hit em with a good salesletter, a bunch of research docs and study material showing why I'd written it the way I have, pre-empting objections.

    Bottom line, the value, care, and attention, coupled with delivering exactly what they were expecting but tempered with my knowledge, makes for happy clients that love me.

    Touch wood I've never been stiffed yet... and how I managed to put 'wood' and 'stiff' in that innocent little sentence I'm not sure - but I'm liking it



    B.
    Signature

    This man is living his dream. Are you...?
    www.copywriter-ac.com

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1032703].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Keeslover
      Originally Posted by Bigsofty View Post

      I actually go the opposite, asking for quite a low deposit as it lowers the barrier.

      Then I work WITH the client as much as possible, building a relationship and letting them see that I leave no stone unturned while trying to help. I also make absolutely certain I know what they want and expect.

      Then I sprinkle a little magical dust - by pointing out other stuff they'll need and get cheap from me, such as press releases, re-doing their 'about us' page and so on - after the salesletter project is complete.

      Then I hit em with a good salesletter, a bunch of research docs and study material showing why I'd written it the way I have, pre-empting objections.

      Bottom line, the value, care, and attention, coupled with delivering exactly what they were expecting but tempered with my knowledge, makes for happy clients that love me.

      Touch wood I've never been stiffed yet... and how I managed to put 'wood' and 'stiff' in that innocent little sentence I'm not sure - but I'm liking it
      I hear Beavis and Butthead tittering in the background...

      But seriously, do you screen your clients? What is your niche? I'm wondering if the type of businesses you work with has any bearing on the fact you've never been stiffed.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1037323].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Daniel Scott
    And to answer the OP... I get my full fee before I start writing the letter.

    Pretty hard to get "stiffed" when you work like that.

    -Dan
    Signature

    Always looking for badass direct-response copywriters. PM me if we don't know each other and you're looking for work.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1034033].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author jmarketer
      The best way to handle it is to get it all upfront. In most cases, if they trust you, they will go ahead and pay you. But watch out for those who want to pay only after the work is done...never ever do that.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1034237].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Bigsofty
    I often hear this but here's a question.

    If you had a client selling a service, would you advise THEM to demand full money in advance?



    B.
    Signature

    This man is living his dream. Are you...?
    www.copywriter-ac.com

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1034721].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Mr Money Maker
    Always get paid first hand, if they don't like your job then refund the money.
    But don't do the job first and then charge, because they have you over a barrel
    Signature
    California Famous People - Hollywood CA USA
    Seattle,WA Weather Service Forecast 10 Day
    Fresno,CA Weather Forecast,Local,National News
    California Rock Guitar News , US American History
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1035964].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Keeslover
    These comments have really given me something to think about with my own clients. I'm a long way off from having to sub-contract, but if and when I do, they will be paid when their work is done.

    Thank you.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1037287].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Collette
    Originally Posted by Keeslover View Post

    I work under another copywriter and there seems to be an issue with a few of her clients being very slow to pay...
    Unless you are in a business partnership with this copywriter (i.e. you split expenses and profits) this isn't your problem.

    Getting advice here on how SHE should make her payment arrangements doesn't help YOU.

    YOU need to begin working with a sub-contractor agreement of your own; one that specifies how and when YOU get paid.

    So, for example, if you want $X deposit to begin work, and balance due paid on delivery of the first draft (to her), have an agreement that specifies this.

    It is unfortunate that your senior copywriter hasn't figured out how to avoid being held fiscal hostage to her client's whims. However, again - that's not your problem.

    YOUR problem is making sure that YOU get paid on time. SHE is YOUR "client". It is your responsibility to make sure that YOUR client pays you in a timely manner.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1037291].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Keeslover
    You're absolutely right, Collette. That was my mistake from the start.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1037304].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author RentItNow
    If you are still having troubles collecting after 30 or 60 days, complete a small claims court filing (but don't file), say if you do not have a check in hand within 72 hours you will file and send it to them with your invoice. Always worked for lawyers I have worked with.
    Signature
    I have no agenda but to help those in the same situation. This I feel will pay the bills.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1037440].message }}

Trending Topics