Dealing with clients who keep postponing payments can be really frustrating. Just had a couple go silent after I delivered the work, and one keeps saying they’ll pay ‘next week’—it’s been a month now. I’m thinking about tightening my payment terms, but is this common in freelance?
Just finish the job and send the invoice. If they ignore it, move on.
Been there more times than I’d like to admit. Had one client string me along for three months with the ‘check is in the mail’ routine.
What changed everything for me was requiring 50% upfront before starting any work. Yeah, some potential clients walked away, but the ones who stayed actually paid on time.
For the current deadbeats, send one final invoice with a firm deadline. After that, consider it an expensive lesson and move on. Chasing bad clients costs more time and stress than finding new good ones.
Also started using contracts that include late fees after 15 days. Most people respect clear boundaries when you set them from the start.
Stop working for anyone who doesn’t pay the first invoice on time. This is your red flag.
I learned this lesson after getting burned by multiple clients. Now, my rule is first payment is always net 15 days. If they miss it, I don’t take on more work.
For those who already owe you money, send a final notice with a payment date. After that, write it off and focus on finding clients who will pay.
You need a deposit before you start and payment terms in writing. I do 30% down, then net 15 days after delivery. Anyone who balks at this walks away, which saves you trouble later. For the ones who owe you now, send one more invoice with a hard date. If they miss it, stop chasing and find better clients. Bad payers will always find excuses. Good clients pay without drama.
Yeah happens all the time. I just ask for half upfront now.
Payment issues are definitely part of the freelance game unfortunately. I’ve learned to spot the warning signs early now.
For your current situation, try this approach:
- Send a polite but direct email asking for a specific payment date
- Give them one week to respond
- If they ignore you, move to small claims court for larger amounts
Going forward, I always ask new clients how they typically handle payments during our first conversation. Their response tells you everything. Vague answers or hesitation usually means trouble.
Also worth mentioning that some clients test freelancers early on to see what they can get away with. Standing firm on payment terms from day one saves you headaches later.
The silent treatment is actually worse than excuses because at least excuses show they acknowledge the debt. When they go quiet, it’s often intentional.