How do you accept payment for your writing?

40 replies
Normally I just use Paypal, but I've been thinking about branching out and giving my customers a few other options too. How do you guys like to take payment for your writing? Are there any options you would recommend? Any options I should definitely steer clear of?

Thanks in advance!
#accept #payment #writing
  • Profile picture of the author jessiepadgal
    I like wire transfers the most...but you must be careful. I use insulation and don't give my primary account's details.
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  • Profile picture of the author James B
    I would assume paypal.
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  • Profile picture of the author evilsaigon
    I always choose Paypal too, though it's pretty the only available option to me most of the time lol.
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  • Profile picture of the author jessiepadgal
    Also consider Google checkout, Amazon, and Skrill (Moneybookers).
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  • Profile picture of the author Czorny
    I use Webmoney, but I'm not sure if it's popular in US-EU-UK web segment.
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  • PayPal only, though I am currently looking into other options. So far, nothing beats it.
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    • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
      I mostly get paid for copywriting by credit card or check.

      Marcia Yudkin
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      • Profile picture of the author videolover7
        Entertaining thread.

        OP says she currently uses PayPal and asks for OTHER recommendations.

        Three people respond, "PayPal".

        VL
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        • Profile picture of the author Steve Hill
          Originally Posted by videolover7 View Post

          Entertaining thread.

          OP says she currently uses PayPal and asks for OTHER recommendations.

          Three people respond, "PayPal".

          VL
          That's only half the story - the OP ALSO said "How do you guys like to take payment for your writing?"
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          • Profile picture of the author jessicalynn
            Originally Posted by marciayudkin View Post

            I mostly get paid for copywriting by credit card or check.

            Marcia Yudkin
            Interesting. Do you just have your clients send you a check in the mail after the work is done? Do you offer this option for new clients or only established clients? Usually I have new clients pay me 50% of the project upfront, and then for more established clients I'll just invoice them for the full amount after I submit the work.



            Anyway, I think I'm going to look into Google checkout. I really want to have at least one easy Paypal alternative. A lot of people don't trust Paypal (for good reason) and I don't want to lose out on business because someone doesn't want to use Paypal. I feel like most people trust Google, so it might be smart to go with that instead of a payment processor most people have never heard of.
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  • Profile picture of the author Flyingpig7
    I've noticed a couple of writers use e-junkie.
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  • Profile picture of the author Beno27
    Unfortunately paypal seem to have a monopoly. So err...paypal!
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  • Profile picture of the author Ross Bowring
    PayPal... checks... gift certificates for Hair Club For Men.

    --- Ross
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  • Profile picture of the author LP Copywriter
    90% Paypal, 10% wire.
    I've been meaning to get credit card processing setup, but it's still on the back burner.
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  • Profile picture of the author RnGWriter
    There are a lot of controversies in the payment department:
    1) Yes charge-backs are a big problem with electronic methods such as credit cards but check or bank wires can prove to be much more expensive and there is a lag period between a customer issuing payment and actually getting it.
    2) Paypal is a favorite but it other writers seem to have had bad experiences as well. :/
    3) Moneybookers is cool. Their system is easy to live with and chargebak protection is offered as well.
    4) Alertpay has a problem processing credit cards so go figure.

    I personally use 2checkout.com. I issue an invoice to clients and they can pay via cc or paypal. They are a bit strict with their rules and many IMers do not prefer them for this reason. But I can link them with Payoneer Mastercard and on the whole it just makes the "Payment" problem much more easier. To give additional flexibility i offer MB and Altertpay as well.
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    • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
      I accept checks or wire transfers only.

      After your first chargeback, you'll learn.
      I licked the chargeback issue by having all clients owing me more than $1000 sign (real handwritten signature) a credit card authorization form that includes the terms of service and then fax or email it back. This was suggested by the Risk Management department of my credit card company. Not one chargeback in the years I've had this policy in place, and only one client balked at signing the form and I just didn't go ahead and do business with her.

      Theoretically the client can still file a chargeback, but they can't claim it was an unauthorized charge and they can't claim they weren't aware of the policies on refunds. They realize (consciously or not) that because of what they signed, they have very little wiggle room for a chargeback and they just don't try it.

      Marcia Yudkin
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  • Profile picture of the author dennis09
    Anyone have any actual experiences with google checkout? I was considering that option as a backup in case PayPal flips it's wig. Dealing with primarily paypal has me feeling a bit paranoid to say the least...
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    • Profile picture of the author Elluminati
      Originally Posted by dennis09 View Post

      Anyone have any actual experiences with google checkout? I was considering that option as a backup in case PayPal flips it's wig. Dealing with primarily paypal has me feeling a bit paranoid to say the least...
      I use Google Checkout as a backup and it works just fine for me. PayPal is primary though. I may look into wire transfer also.
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  • Profile picture of the author Raydal
    Like most people here I use Paypal but as a billed service
    or money sent rather than a "buy now" button.

    I definitely prefer wire transfer and check for any amount
    above $3K. After that point I start to become jealous
    of the Paypal fees. I start sayingto myself, "Do you know
    how much gallons of gas that could buy?"

    I've never had a chargeback issue, but I'm sure that's possible.

    My only negative expereince was a client who did not pay the
    final 50% balance but I don't think he used the final copy either.
    1 in 10 years is not bad.

    -Ray Edwards
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  • Profile picture of the author Grain
    Wire transfers and checks if possible.

    But if it's a trusted client, I make an exception and
    would make do with gateways like Paypal.

    Been setting my eyes on Moneybookers for a while
    now...
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    Grain.

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  • Profile picture of the author VickiLee
    I also only use paypal, but had a "guru" tell me that she checked with paypal about their reputation for "freezing" accounts. The response was that there is an automatic trigger if the amount taken in suddenly spikes. The account will be frozen (funds and all) for up to 6 months. Branching out is probably a good idea. The Google Checkout and the service through ClickBank were mentioned as viable options.
    Hope this helps.
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    • Profile picture of the author Elluminati
      Originally Posted by VickiLee View Post

      I also only use paypal, but had a "guru" tell me that she checked with paypal about their reputation for "freezing" accounts. The response was that there is an automatic trigger if the amount taken in suddenly spikes. The account will be frozen (funds and all) for up to 6 months. Branching out is probably a good idea. The Google Checkout and the service through ClickBank were mentioned as viable options.
      Hope this helps.
      I began using Google Checkout when my clientele reached full capacity and PayPal put a hold on my account, talking about "high risk." I sent them the worst email and thought about using Google Checkout exclusively although 98% of my clients use PayPal. After 2 weeks the hold was released, but I still don't trust PayPal because I'm sure they'd do it again although I've never had any disputes, chargebacks, or anything negative associated with my account.
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  • Profile picture of the author zharfan
    paypal is common way
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  • Profile picture of the author knish
    Mainly Paypal, but if my customer has any problem with his/her account (limited or disabled) then I accept checks or wire transfers.
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  • Profile picture of the author CopyWriteHer
    I have a merchant account but will accept money order or check if needed.
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  • Profile picture of the author fbwealthsystem
    Originally Posted by jessicalynn View Post

    Normally I just use Paypal, but I've been thinking about branching out and giving my customers a few other options too. How do you guys like to take payment for your writing? Are there any options you would recommend? Any options I should definitely steer clear of?

    Thanks in advance!

    Clickbank, CCbill, plimus, 2checkout
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  • Profile picture of the author kalens99
    I usually use paypal. I once hired a guy to do work and get paid through Money Bookers, but that was really irritating. The form they used to upload money via credit card didn't work, so I had to try to wire money to their primary account. The woman at my bank said some of the numbers or something didn't match and couldn't transfer. I even had her talk to the woman at customer service at Money Bookers (who barely spoke English). After they talked she handed the phone back to me and the woman at Money Bookers told me she wasn't sure what was wrong and would look into it for me. She never called back.

    The banker was looking at me like I was a gullible idiot falling for a scam. For the record, I don't think it was a scam because so many people use it. However, they clearly didn't make it easy for me and I am sure other people ran into problems too. Has anyone else had issues with this? I am certainly never going to pay for anything with it again and maybe there are other clients who don't want to deal with that either.
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  • Profile picture of the author nicolelwriting
    I love this forum! I use Paypal for 100% of the time but I have Google Checkout available as a backup. Thank you for sharing the other ways to get paid. I will need to figure out how Clickbank would work to get paid as that is a new way to me.

    Thank you for sharing.

    Nicole
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    • Profile picture of the author Griffin Smith
      Wow it's definitely PayPal for the short term, but after getting 3% of your flow taken I was looking for an alternative.

      I've changed over to an ACH deposit into my business checking for my repeat business.

      No one else here uses ACH?
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      • Profile picture of the author David Payoneer
        Originally Posted by Griffin Smith View Post

        Wow it's definitely PayPal for the short term, but after getting 3% of your flow taken I was looking for an alternative.

        I've changed over to an ACH deposit into my business checking for my repeat business.

        No one else here uses ACH?
        Hey,

        At Payoneer we offer ACH services. Contact me for further information at davidst [at] payoneer.com
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  • Profile picture of the author MJKelly
    I cannot post links yet....too few posts....I apologize....but you will be able to figure things out pretty easily.

    I recommend anyone who accepts any form of payment( that would be all of us...lol ), look into dwolla dotcom .....a new way to pay and be paid. The most you can pay for a transaction is .25¢. Yes, some transactions are ZERO, but the max is .25¢!!

    No setup fees, no monthly fees, no recurring fees etc.

    I'm not affiliated in any way shape or form, just use their payment gateway. Company is doing $30-$50M/month in business.

    articles.businessinsider dotcom/2011-11-11/tech/30381380_1_credit-card-interchange-fees-paypal

    More info....just google them.

    Check them out.....I think you will be pleased.
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  • Profile picture of the author staceythewriter
    Intuit is a reliable paypal alternative and their fees are lower.
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  • Profile picture of the author PhilippaWrites
    I'm another who mainly uses Paypal. Otherwise UK cheques or bank transfers from time to time, though cheque usage in general is going dramatically down.
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  • Profile picture of the author articleschandi
    Me? Paypal, which is really like monopoly in this segment.
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  • Profile picture of the author Eleanor
    I used to use PayPal for my international clients and bank transfer for my local UK clients. Both worked fine for me - I never had any problems with PayPal but I think that has a lot to do with picking and choosing who you work for.

    Hope that helps

    Eleanor
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  • Profile picture of the author eshoppingez
    I use paypal. Wire transfer works for people from my country. I also have the option of moneybookers for people who don't have paypal in their country.
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