After years of freelancing, it’s frustrating to see some clients ignore payment timelines. I’ve started to specify payment terms upfront and send reminders before the due date.
Even then, some still treat those terms loosely, turning 30-day payments into 60. It really strains the business.
Hold off on any new work till they settle up. It’s tough but it usually gets their attention.
I add a late fee if they miss the deadline. I usually charge about 2% each week.
Most clients will pay quickly once they see that extra charge. If they don’t care about the fees, they are not worth keeping.
Net 15 terms work better than 30. A shorter window means less chance they forget or push it aside. I also send the invoice the day work is done, not weeks later. The faster you bill, the faster you get paid. Always include exactly what was done so they can’t question the charges later.
I started requiring deposits after getting burned too many times. Usually 50% upfront for new clients, 25% for regulars I trust.
The deposit thing filters out problem clients fast. Anyone who pushes back on paying something upfront is usually the same person who’ll drag out final payment.
For the remaining balance, I learned to make my invoices really specific about what happens after the due date. Not just late fees, but when I hand things over to collections. Had to actually do it twice, and word gets around in smaller industries.
Also stopped being nice about it in my emails. Used to write “I hope this finds you well” and all that. Now it’s just “Invoice 1234 is 15 days overdue. Please remit payment by Friday.” Short and direct works better.
I just ask for cash before I start.
Being clear about late payments really helps. A lot of clients don’t get how late payments hurt freelancers.
Here’s what I do:
Phone calls work well. People might ignore emails, but they’ll usually pick up the phone and give you a solid timeline. You can also tell if they’re being honest or just avoiding you. Some clients have slow processes and just need that push.