I’ve faced my fair share of non-paying clients and it’s frustrating. Now, I’ve implemented a solid screening process before starting any new project.
I always check references, request a partial payment upfront, and establish clear payment terms from the start. It’s really helped me avoid those clients who ghost when it’s time to pay.
I just ask for half before starting work.
Getting ghosted by clients sucks. I’ve learned to trust my gut during those first conversations.
Red flags I look for:
I always google their business and check if their website looks real. Takes five minutes but saves me tons of headaches.
Payment is 50% upfront, rest on delivery. No exceptions. Got burned too many times being “flexible” before.
Phone interviews are a game-changer. I always do a quick 15-minute call before sending any proposal.
You learn everything in those first few minutes. Do they actually answer when they said they would? Can they explain what they need without rambling? Are they asking real questions or just trying to get free consulting?
I also stalk their LinkedIn to see how long they’ve stayed at jobs. People who jump ship every 6 months? They’ll ghost you when it’s time to pay.
My client intake form saves me tons of headaches. Just basic stuff - what’s your business, what’s your budget, when do you need this done. If someone won’t spend 5 minutes filling it out, they won’t pay their invoices either.
Learned this the hard way after eating a $3,000 loss. Won’t happen again.
References can be hit or miss. I prefer running a credit check. It shows their financial habits in a few minutes. If their credit is poor, I ask for 75% upfront instead of the usual 50%. It helps protect me from the risk of non-payment.
A simple one-page contract outlining the main terms works well. Both parties need to sign it. Serious clients don’t mind this step. If a client hesitates to sign, they are likely to be troublesome when it comes to payment.
Payment upfront is the only way. No money, no work. Simple as that.