Ghosted: What to Do When a Client Doesn’t Want To Pay
Freelancing has its downsides. Your client may not pay on time or be difficult to reach. This is what you should do if your client does not pay.
There are many perks to freelance work: you can work from home and choose your hours. You don’t have to brush your hair for days.
However, there are many benefits to running a small business. Freelancing has many disadvantages. Your client may not pay on time or be unable to reach you.
Ghosting is a term used to describe a situation in which someone ceases calling or seems to have dropped off the radar entirely.
What are your options if a client doesn’t pay you?
1. DON’T JUMP YOUR GUN
It’s easy for people to expect the worst, regardless of whether they’re freelancing or dating. First, it’s easy to believe you’re losing hundreds of dollars because you haven’t heard back from your client. This is especially true if you’ve been hurt in the past. If you’re not sure, don’t assume your client is ghosting you. You can lose your job if you accuse a client of ghosting you and racking up a large bill.
There are legitimate reasons why someone might not respond immediately. Perhaps they’re on vacation or taking care of personal business. Your client may not have a history of disappearing. Give them time to reply before you begin the chase.
2. RECEIVE INVOICES, AND FOLLOW UP
Invoice your client before you invoice them. Make sure to have an agreement that outlines when and how much you are paid. It is best to make it as simple as possible for your client. You will get paid more quickly if they pay you by clicking a button, replying to an email or simply clicking a link. Resend your invoice to remind you if you don’t get paid or have not received a response to your invoice.
The client is reminded of the outstanding balance by the invoice. It’s not like you are trying to intimidate them. Send reminder emails to clients about invoices, and if they don’t pay, send a professional email.
3. CONTACT VIA SOCIAL MEDIA
You might be worried that your client has stopped receiving your emails, or that your outbox isn’t sending you important follow-ups. To give yourself some peace of mind, you may need to resend reminders and invoices.
Many companies are easily found on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Send a polite, simple message to these companies. While being ghosted is never a pleasant experience, it’s important to maintain professionalism–primarily since you’re representing your business as well.
4. SEND A LETTER TO AN ATTORNEY
An attorney should draft a letter if your client is still missing. Sometimes, legal action can be enough to get your client to call you or at least to arrange for payment. An affordable fee can be paid for an attorney letter. You can also inquire via freelance forums. You may want to consult legal aid lawyers if you are really in a jam.
5. COURT FOR SMALL CLAIMS
Small claims court is an option as a last resort. These options can be costly so you need to balance how much your client owes and the costs of following up. If you don’t understand the numbers, it may be a good idea to cut your losses and move on.
Your client contacts you, now what?
You can close the case and learn from your client’s mistakes if they contact you. The next step is to decide what terms must be used in the future. You must cease providing services to the client until all outstanding invoices have been paid.
Moving forward
It doesn’t matter if your client relationship ends or continues, it is a good idea set new rules.
- It is a good idea to require a prepayment or retainer, especially for larger projects.
- You can increase the frequency of payments based on milestones, rather than dates. This will allow you to finish a reasonable amount of work, and you’ll be paid before you move on.
- In the event that a client goes missing, have legal contacts and a plan. It is easier to handle it if you do all the research in advance.
To ensure that you get paid on time, protect yourself. It’s important to read through the contract details of potential clients. This can make a big difference when it comes time for you to get paid. You can discuss any concerns, such as payment dates and expectations. Also, make any necessary changes before you start. If the contract template is not already provided, it’s a good idea if you have one to create.
As with dating, there are signs that a person isn’t trustworthy or reliable. It’s easy to overlook the warning signs when you are so excited about landing a job, especially one that is lucrative. If something sounds too good to be true in relationships or careers, it probably is. It’s best to be cautious until you are certain.
