Juggling long-term contracts and chasing unpaid invoices is driving me nuts. I’ve got clients on ongoing agreements, but some are falling behind on payments. It’s messing with my cash flow and focus.
How do you guys handle this balancing act? I’m torn between keeping clients happy and actually getting paid for my work.
I’ve dealt with this plenty. Here’s what works:
Set clear payment terms from the start. No confusion.
Use milestone payments for big jobs. Keeps cash flowing.
Put a work pause clause in your contract. If they don’t pay, you stop working. Simple as that.
For ongoing stuff, switch to monthly retainers. They pay upfront each month or no work happens.
Don’t be afraid to have tough talks about money. Good clients respect it. Bad ones aren’t worth the hassle.
Remember, you’re running a business. Getting paid matters as much as keeping clients happy. Stand your ground on payments. It’s just part of the job.
I’ve been there. It’s a real headache when you’re trying to keep everyone happy while also keeping the lights on.
Here’s what I do:
I set up auto-reminders for invoices. They go out 3 days before due, on the due date, and 3 days after. Most clients pay up when they get that second reminder.
For the ones who don’t, I give them a call. It’s less awkward than you’d think, and often there’s just been a mix-up on their end.
If it keeps happening, I adjust their contract. I’ve started asking for partial upfront payments or breaking big projects into smaller milestones. It helps with cash flow and motivates clients to stay current.
Sometimes you gotta cut your losses though. I had one client who was always late. Eventually, I had to let them go. It stung, but my stress levels thanked me.
Remember, you’re running a business, not a charity. It’s okay to be firm about getting paid for your work.
Been there. Invoices are a pain. I just send reminders and hope for the best. If they keep ignoring, I stop working. Gotta pay the bills somehow.
Never had long deals. I just do jobs and get cash.
I feel you on this one. It’s a constant juggling act, right?
Here’s what’s worked for me:
I learned the hard way that being too nice can bite you. Now, I’m upfront about pausing work if invoices are late. It’s saved me a ton of headaches.
For ongoing stuff, I’ve started doing monthly retainers. Clients pay at the start of each month. No payment, no work. It’s been a game-changer for my cash flow.
Don’t be afraid to have those awkward money talks. Most clients actually respect you more for it. And the ones who don’t? Well, they’re probably not worth the stress anyway.
Remember, you’re not just there to make clients happy. You gotta keep yourself in business too.
I get it. Cash flow issues are a pain.
Here’s what I do:
Get a deposit upfront. Even 25% helps.
Set clear payment terms in the contract. Include late fees.
For ongoing work, I bill monthly. No payment, no more work until it’s settled.
If someone’s always late, I raise my rates for them. Covers the hassle.
Don’t be shy about following up on late payments. It’s your money.