Dealing with late payments is getting old. I’ve tried gentle reminders and even offered early payment discounts. Still, some clients drag their feet for weeks.
Anyone else face this? What’s your secret weapon for getting paid on time without burning bridges?
Been there, done that. Late payments are a real headache.
What worked for me was setting up a system. I send invoices right away, then follow up with a friendly email a week before it’s due. If they’re late, I send a polite reminder every week.
I also started asking for deposits on bigger jobs. It’s helped a lot with cash flow.
For repeat offenders, I’ve had to have some awkward conversations. I explain how late payments affect my business. Most clients get it and shape up.
One trick that’s helped: I offer a small discount (like 2%) for early payment. Some clients love this and pay fast to save a few bucks.
Remember, you’re running a business, not a charity. It’s okay to be firm about getting paid on time.
Here’s what works for me:
I send invoices as soon as the job’s done. No waiting around.
I put ‘Due in 7 days’ right at the top of every invoice. Nice and clear.
For new clients, I ask for 50% upfront. No exceptions.
If they’re late, I call them. A quick chat usually sorts it out.
For the real problem payers, I add a late fee after 30 days. It’s in my contract, so they can’t argue.
Main thing is, don’t let it slide. The longer you wait, the harder it gets to collect.
Just keep it professional and stick to your guns. You did the work, you deserve to get paid.
Dunno man I just take cash. No hassle that way.
I keep it simple. Clear payment terms on every invoice.
If they’re late, I send a quick reminder. No response? I stop work until I get paid.
For bigger jobs, I ask for a deposit upfront. Helps with cash flow and weeds out potential non-payers.
Remember, your time is valuable. Don’t be afraid to enforce your terms.
Late payments are a pain. I’ve learned a few tricks over the years:
The game-changer for me was switching to milestone payments. I break projects into chunks and get paid as I go. It’s saved me from those end-of-project payment headaches.
For really stubborn clients, I’ve had to pause work until payment comes through. It’s not ideal, but it usually gets results.
Remember, it’s your work and your time. Don’t be afraid to be firm about getting paid.
I just send them a text when the bill’s due. If they don’t pay, I stop working. No fancy stuff needed. Keeps things simple for me.