Noticing some late payment patterns lately. It’s odd how some clients consistently pay late while others are punctual.
Right now, I’m dealing with a few unpaid invoices that are really throwing off my cash flow. Is this a common issue in our line of work?
Yeah some clients just pay whenever they feel like it
Yeah, this hits way too close to home. Chasing payments is absolutely exhausting.
Here’s what saved my sanity - a simple spreadsheet tracking:
After a few months, you’ll spot the patterns. Some clients are just disorganized but they pay. Others treat freelancers like their personal credit line.
For your current unpaid invoices, send a firm but polite follow-up with the original invoice attached. If they’re 60+ days late, seriously question if you want to keep working with them.
Requiring upfront payment changed everything for me. Even 25% helps when someone inevitably pays 45 days late.
Super common problem. Been running my business for years and late payments still mess with my head sometimes.
Punctual clients stay punctual. Late payers rarely change unless you force it. The worst ones string you along with excuses until you stop chasing.
For cash flow, keep a buffer account with about 2 months expenses. Takes time to build but saves you when 3 clients all pay late the same month.
Call instead of emailing for overdue invoices. Way more effective. People ignore emails forever but phone calls get action fast.
Those patterns you’re seeing are real. Trust your gut on which clients are worth keeping.
Most people just pay when they want to. I stopped stressing about it too much.
You get used to it. Good clients stay good, bad ones always find excuses.
I just price in the delays now. Someone always pays 45 days late? I quote them higher to cover the headache.
For unpaid invoices, call instead of email. People hate confrontation - they’ll pay to get you off the phone.
Late payers come in two types. Some have cash flow issues and pay when they can. Others are testing how long they can stretch payment. I charge late fees after 30 days and require deposits for new projects. Serial late payers either fix their behavior or go stiff someone else. Keep track of payment patterns and adjust your terms based on that.