Not getting paid for freelance work (s/o)

amother

Fri, Jun 21 2024, 1:23 am

OP who had no food for supper because clients didn't pay, got me thinking.

Why would s/o deliver the final product w/o being paid first? Probably (I hope) most people pay their bills. But if you've been burned...

I was left holding a bill for a mosad once, they're people we know well (& they asked me to do the project) & I still never got a satisfactory answer. DH says just be mochel but I have a hard time with the idea.

amother

Azalea

Fri, Jun 21 2024, 3:07 am

As a graphic designer, it is very hard to know when the project is completed.

A classic joke is looking at a graphic designer's computers, and seeing files labeled "BrochureFinal.pdf", "BrochureFinalFINAL.pdf", "BrochureREALLYFINAL.pdf", etc. I eventually got smart and just number my files (SocialMediaAd01.jpg) and the latest version is the final one.

Anyhow, in many professions companies are given time (net 14, net 30) to settle bills.

amother

Navyblue

Fri, Jun 21 2024, 7:01 am

Suggestion- create an email address for a fictitious admin or male boss. Have them send out the payment reminders. Studies have shown that people are more likely to pay their bills that way.

amother

Charcoal

Fri, Jun 21 2024, 7:54 am

amother Navyblue wrote:

Suggestion- create an email address for a fictitious admin or male boss. Have them send out the payment reminders. Studies have shown that people are more likely to pay their bills that way.

Hey, like this idea! BH I haven't gotten burned so much as a freelancer, but I'll keep this idea in mind.

What I didn't understand about that other thread is to me, freelancing is a luxury. BH I can work in this style because my husband carries the main burden of supporting our family. If his salary was not enough, I would be forced to look for a job as a salaried employee, not as a sporadic freelancer.

amother

Charcoal

Fri, Jun 21 2024, 7:55 am

amother Azalea wrote:

So true!

amother

Papayawhip

Fri, Jun 21 2024, 8:23 am

Charge 50% deposit before you start, don't do any work without a credit card on file - with a signed contract stating that the card will be charged if balance isn't paid within x amount of time, and don't release final files until you're paid.

And that don't release rule stands true even if the final version doesn't end up being final.

Happens to be I don't do this myself, but I know that I should, and so when a client doesn't pay me I know it is my fault and I could have prevented it.

amother

Papayawhip

Fri, Jun 21 2024, 9:15 am

amother Charcoal wrote:

I don't think a freelancer is a luxury. You just need enough clients. Freelancers get paid more for their work/time than salaried employees.

luckiestmom

Fri, Jun 21 2024, 10:19 am

amother Azalea wrote:

Another suggestion:
Send only low resolution files until payment, that way they can preview the file but not have any use of it before they pay. You can also put a watermark on the file with your logo and remove when they pay.