Been wrestling with some clients who aren’t paying up. Started jotting down notes about each case - dates, conversations, promises made. It’s helping me stay organized, but I’m wondering if there’s a better system out there.
Anyone else deal with this? How do you keep track of the back-and-forth when chasing payments?
Spreadsheets work, but they’re a hassle to update. I use a basic notepad file for each client. Date, what happened, next steps. Quick and dirty.
For the real problem clients, I keep a separate file with all the details. Dates, times, who said what. Comes in handy if things go south.
Main thing is to stay on top of it. Don’t let it slide or you’ll never see that money. And don’t be afraid to cut ties with clients who are always late. Not worth the headache.
Oh man, unpaid invoices are the worst. I’ve been there too. My system isn’t fancy, but it works:
The key is consistency. Update it right after each interaction.
I’ve thought about using software, but for now, this DIY approach does the job. Keeps me sane when dealing with those ‘forgetful’ clients.
What’s worked best for you so far? Always curious to hear other freelancers’ tricks.
I just scribble stuff on my phone notes. Don’t overthink it man. Write down dates and who said what. Gets the job done for me.
I use a simple spreadsheet too. One column for each stage: invoiced, reminded, final notice, collections.
I move clients through as needed and add notes. Helps me see at a glance where everyone stands.
For really bad cases, I save all emails and call logs. Makes it easier if I need to take legal action later.
I use a small notebook. Write down dates and what happened. Keep it simple. No fancy stuff needed. Just jot it down and move on. Works for me.
I’ve been through this rodeo too. My system’s pretty basic but it’s saved my bacon more than once.
I use a combo of Google Sheets and my phone’s notes app. The spreadsheet’s for the big picture - client names, invoice amounts, due dates. I color code it like a traffic light. Green for paid, yellow for ‘getting antsy’, red for ‘time to get serious’.
The notes app is for the nitty-gritty. Every call, email, or promise gets logged with a date. It’s always with me, so I can update on the fly.
One thing that’s helped a ton - I snap a pic of every check that comes in. Saved me once when a client swore they’d paid and I could show them the exact date I deposited their check.
Whatever system you use, stick with it. Chasing payments is a pain, but good records make it way less of a headache.