The central practical problem.
WHY IT IS DIFFICULT
You have no leverage once the work is delivered, and chasing costs time you cannot bill.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH BEFORE STARTING
Payment terms, agreed in writing.
WHAT TO TAKE UPFRONT
A deposit, always.
WHY ALWAYS
Clients unwilling to pay anything in advance are the ones who do not pay at the end.
WHAT TO STAGE
Longer projects, with payments tied to milestones.
WHY
It limits exposure to what is currently unpaid.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
That final deliverables are released on final payment.
WHY
It is the only real leverage you have.
WHAT AN INVOICE SHOULD CONTAIN
Your details and any registration numbers Client details Invoice number and date Description of the work Amount, and any tax Payment terms and due date How to pay
WHAT TO DO
Invoice immediately on completion or milestone.
WHY
Delay in invoicing delays payment by the same period, and it signals that you are not urgent.
WHAT TO DO WHEN PAYMENT IS DUE
Send a reminder on the due date.
WHY ON THE DAY
It establishes that you track it.
WHAT TO DO NEXT
Personal contact shortly after.
WHY
Most late payment is administrative, and a message to the right person resolves it.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Who actually processes payments.
WHY
The person who engaged you frequently does not.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT PERSISTENT NON-PAYMENT
Stop work Escalate in writing Consider formal recovery
WHAT TO NEVER DO
Keep working while unpaid.
WHY
It increases the loss and it signals that payment is optional.
