Will Clients really pay Upfront?
Lately, a lot of people have been asking for my advice on getting paid for their work. It seems that more and more freelance writers are completing work for “so-called clients” but never getting paid. I am a big believer in asking for payment upfront. This protects you from those who want to take your hard work and run. This leads to the question: will clients really pay upfront?
There is no denying that when you receive upfront payment that the client is going out on a limb. After all, they don’t know if you are going to take the money and never send the work. This is what can make asking to be paid upfront so difficult. Of course, this is something you definitely need to talk about no matter how you or the client feels.
Finding a happy medium for the first project can often times be the best option. For instance, you can ask for half payment. This helps to ensure that you are getting some money for your work without asking the client to put out the entire amount. Additionally, I have found that most clients that pay half upfront will immediately send the remaining balance upon delivery of the completed project.
You will never know if a client will pay upfront until you ask. This is something that I do with every new client. When they pay upfront once they usually do so from that point on. After one project they trust me to deliver, so they have no reason not to send the money from the get-go.
Not every client will want to send 100 percent of your payment before receiving the work. You should be ready to negotiate. As long as you receive at least 50 percent of the agreed upon price you should be happy.
May 19th, 2009 at 9:20 am
In my writing field I typically get half up front and half upon completion. Of course, I’ve been doing it for 15 years and am well established.
Sometimes with new editors I set a plan of payment upon partial completion, usually in thirds.
May 19th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Like John, I get pay up front… I ghostwrite books and often get a third or a quarter or 3 or 4 chapters worth in advance. I won’t start until I do.
Yes, I’ve got the credits that back up my request, but the truth is I had to learn to ask for it comfortably. Now I can have reasonable rational discussions about money and my pay with almost everyone.
And when they ask me what I want to be paid? I almost always say “Oh no more than a million a day plus expenses.” Always gets a laugh which breaks the ice.
A
May 19th, 2009 at 11:40 am
[...] Will Clients really pay Upfront? A good overview. [...]
May 19th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
John/Anne - Thanks for adding your comments. I agree that being established definitely helps with getting paid upfront. Once you have the trust of the client, as well as the claims to back it up, getting what you want is much easier.
June 27th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Taking a leaf from my ICT Consultancy business, the rule of thumb I have is as follows:
* 1/3 upon signing contract (you DO have a contract yes?)
* 1/3 upon reaching a milestone (in writing, could be second draft)
* balance due upon completion of work
I see no reason this can not work in freelance writing.
If someone does not want to pay a deposit, “Next”. Move on to a client who respects your time.