What to Do When a Client Says, "I'll Pay You Later"

I have a client that owes me dough, and I kinda want it.

Seriously though. I did the work. I sent him the work. His company published my work as their own. So in my mind, and likely yours, he owes me the coinage for a job completed. Am I right?

So then why do I feel like a dang Mafia debt collector every time I send him an email?

It's no secret that being a freelance writer can be tough.

You often have to deal with tight deadlines, last-minute changes, and clients who are difficult to work with. But the hardest part of being a writer may be collecting payments from clients.

Yeah...debt collections.

I don't know about you, but at my core, I'm a creator. From thoughts come ideas. From ideas come words. And from words come publishing that hopefully earns me money.

But maybe, like you, I am also a freelance writer for others. They hire me to be their ghostwriter or blog writer, and 9 times out of 10, it's a win-win-win scenario.

But then there's that one.

There's that one who just doesn't pay the piper. Leaves invoices stagnant. Or worse, totally ghosts you when it's time to wire the cabbage.

In most cases, you won't get paid until after the project is completed. But that's OK. While everyone has their own business methods, I collect at the end after the client is 100% satisfied. That's just my policy.

But what about when the client says they'll pay you later?

What about when their company isn't doing well, and the financial situation is a bit tight right now (so they say).

It can be frustrating, to say the least. But it's important not to let that frustration turn into anger. You need to stay professional, even when the client isn't.

There are a few things you can do.

Set up a meeting with the client

Politely ask them for money that they owe you. Explain that you've been patient and that you need to move on with your life.

One thing I do is document all conversations and keep all email exchanges with the client.

The most important thing is to be firm, but polite.

If the client is really struggling, they might be more likely to work with you if you offer a payment plan. Sometimes, it's just a matter of catching up over a civil conversation and understanding their point of view.

But always remember: stay professional! You don't want to burn any bridges.

What if the client says they'll pay you later?

I like to say that I would prefer to be paid sooner rather than later, but I understand that sometimes things happen.

But if the client says they'll pay you later, take them at their word (for now).

Document what they say and set a follow-up date to touch base with them again.

If they can't pay you right away, ask for a payment plan. Also, ask when they will have the payment ready and make sure to get it in writing.

Remember, the goal is to get paid what you're owed.

You don't want to start a fight or ruin a relationship with a client, but you also need to take care of your business.

Keep in touch with the client

Of course, in a perfect world, you would have had frequent touchpoints with them before this all came to a head.

But alas, perhaps you did not and here we are...trying to collect your bacon.

Though the work is done and likely you're on to the next gig, it's still important to touch base every week or two with the delinquent person. This will help to keep things on track and make sure that the money they owe you doesn't fall through the cracks.

In some cases, a little bit of prodding might be necessary.

If all else fails, you can always take legal (or semi-legal) legal action

When it comes to getting paid for work you've done, sometimes freelancers have to take drastic measures. This might mean taking legal action or even contacting a collections agency.

Collection agencies can be helpful in getting debtors to pay what they owe, but they can also be expensive. And if the debtor still doesn't pay, the agency might take legal action. This can result in wage garnishment or even a lien on the debtor's property.

Of course, legal action should always be a last resort. But when a client continuously ignores your requests for payment, it might be the only option left.

Or, just call up that mean cousin most of us have who has no problem collecting dinero using "alternative" measures. You know, because nobody wants their thumbs broken.

In the end, it's just business.

The final word

When a client says they'll pay you later, it can be frustrating.

But it's important to stay professional and try to work things out with the client. If that doesn't work, document everything and take legal action if necessary.

And remember: it's just business. So stay professional, keep in touch with your clients, and document everything! And if all else fails, remember: there are other writing gigs out there.

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