Some clients are TERRIBLE about paying {promptly}. That’s {for you to} learn the art of the payment request, {particularly if} you’re a freelancer…
…but {with regards to} how to {require} payment, what’s {the easiest method to|the simplest way to|the ultimate way to} {take action}?
You {take action} politely – {sufficient reason for} scripts.
Specifically, {that one}:
Of course, you’re {likely to} {need to} mold this script {to suit your} situation, but I promise you it works.
I know because it’s {in line with the} same one I used when I freelanced. I created {a straightforward}, 2-part system {which has} worked {for me personally} {again and again}. Now, I’m giving it {for you}.
The 4-step system {could be} {split} into two parts:
Part 1: {How exactly to} {require} payment politely
- How to (nicely) send a payment request email
- Backup: {How exactly to} send a follow-up email that works
Part 2: {How exactly to} break a client’s legs firmly {require} payment
- How {to avoid} them from hiding behind their computer
- The Nuclear options (for when {everything else} fails)
NOTE: {If you need to|In order to} finally hit the 6-figure mark with freelancing, {be sure you} {have a look at} my FREE Handbook to 6-Figure Freelancing.
Part 1: {How exactly to} {require} payment politely
The following system only works after one stipulation is fulfilled:
If you haven’t fulfilled your obligation to your client and given them great work that {both of you} agreed you’d provide, {you then} only have {you to ultimately} blame if they’re not {likely to} pay you.
To {assist you to} with this, {make sure to} {have a look at} my 16-minute video with Steve Dublanica {on what} providing world-class service to {your visitors} can attract {better still} customers.
Step 1: Send your client a payment request
When you complete the deliverables {for the} client, it’s {time and energy to} {grab} that email script we gave you upfront.
What {can you} notice {concerning the} email?
First, it’s friendly. When crafting {a contact} {requesting} payment, it’s {an easy task to} default to the this-is-super-serious-business-so-I-need-to-be-super-serious tone – {nevertheless, you} have to {understand that} you’re {attempting to} {create a} good relationship {together with your} client, and that’s built on friendliness.
Another great reason this email just works is that {the topic} line {will not} contain any {reference to} prices at all. There’s no easier {solution to} let your email go unread than {to add} {the purchase price} in {the topic} line {as well as your} message {could have} a 100% better {potential for} being read if it didn’t.
A few more observations:
- Ask for the payment simply {and become} straightforward. {Inform them} you have included the invoice {within the} email and {the method that you|the way you} {desire to be} paid.
- The conclusion is polite and lets them {understand that} you’d {want to} work more {using them} {later on}.
- This script also uses the exclamation point very strategically. Its placement {by the end} is intentional and leaves everything on a playful tone.
Overall, it’s simple, direct, and actionable. {You may use} this email for both old and {new customers}. {Utilize this} script {& most} {of one’s} clients should pay you {within a fortnight|inside a fortnight}.
Want {to learn} {steps to make} {just as much} money as {you need} and {exist} {on your own} terms? Download my Clients From Hell and call it even).
You {must make sure} {you retain} your cool {of these} emails and {calls} because it’ll be easier now {as part of your} to {inflate} at them.
When you {connect to} them on {the telephone}, {you may use} this simple script {to obtain the|to find the|to have the} conversation started:
“Hi, [CLIENT’S NAME]. It’s [YOUR NAME]. I {done} the XYZ project with you {back} [TIME FRAME]. I’ve sent {a few} emails about payment for the project {and in addition} tried connecting with you on {the telephone}. When {may i} expect my payment?”
After {some time}, your client should {recognize that} you’re not {likely to} {quit} and pay you. {Should they} don’t, though, {it is possible to} always try {another} option.
3.) Hire {an assortment} agency
This tactic {is normally} reserved for situations where you put {lots of|plenty of} work into whatever {it had been} you provided {for the} client ({so the} bill is LARGE).
Collection agencies exist {to greatly help} businesses (e.g. you) attain any debt {that’s} owed {for you}. {To carry out} that, though, they typically require {you have|which you have} {all of the} debt {that’s} owed {for you} {on paper}, so {be sure you} have records {of all} email exchanges ({along with the|and also the} invoices) {together with your} client.
Unfortunately, many {debt collectors} have {a negative} rap {because of} few that continually harass debtors. That’s why you’re {likely to} want to {look for a} reputable agency {that will assist you|that may help you|that will help} get {your cash} back without resorting to unscrupulous means.
Here {certainly are a} few {methods for you to} find one that’ll {do the job}:
- Refer to {the higher} Business Bureau. The BBB provides ratings {for several} of the {debt collectors} {in your area}. Definitely check them out if you’re {seeking to} hire one.
- Search the IDCA and ACA directory. The International {COLLECTORS} Association and the Association of Credit and Collection Professionals are organizations {comprised of} {business collection agencies} agencies {which exist} {to market} ethical standards and practices {in the market}.
- Ask other {people}. Referrals are another {smart way} {to learn} {whether} {a company} is good.
No matter how they’re found, the agency you hire {will need} payment {by way of a} percentage of the recovered debt (typically 10% – 30%). Yes, it’s a bummer that you won’t {receives a commission} {the entire} amount for {the task} you {devote} – but something {is preferable to} nothing.
If you’ve {allow} back payments {build up} so much {they are} worth {attracting} an agency, {you need to} learn {a very important} lesson: Respect {your time and effort} enough that {you won’t ever} continue {use} {a person who|somebody who} is behind.
Want to {home based}, control your schedule, and {earn more income}? Download my Handbook to 6-Figure Freelancing. I talk extensively about freelancing and starting {your personal} business, so {be sure you} don’t miss it!