Comments on Cafe Witness: The Importance of Getting Paid

Great Post,This is the sort of stuff I preach...ok...

2008-05-16T13:54:05.686-05:00

Great Post,

This is the sort of stuff I preach...ok I am not really preachy so instead of the word preach I will say "talk" about all the time.

My job is to get people paid quicker and if I can add one more thing to your list I would say "Look more professional"

Anyway if you are interested in getting paid and looking more professional you should take a look at my web site (as well as Cafe Witness) as there are tools and info to help!

Saul Colt
Head of Magic
www.FreshBooks.com

Truer words were never written.I'll toss out one m...

2008-05-16T13:46:43.567-05:00

Truer words were never written.

I'll toss out one more -- put a time limit on your review period. I've got a client right now that I didn't do this with, and although the work was completed in a week, it's taken months to get them to look at it long enough to give me a set of minor changes and call it complete.

From here out, contracts go out with "final payment after client review (not to exceed 30 days)"

I have the advantage of often being on site for my...

2008-05-16T13:17:19.854-05:00

I have the advantage of often being on site for my long term gigs. I make it a point to get to know the accounting folks, when possible. When they know they are writing Sean a check and not a large corporation, they often act quicker and are more responsive. I also learn their billing practices so I'm submitting invoices consistent with their procedures.

You've hit the nail on the head. Next to getting p...

2008-05-16T08:02:11.708-05:00

You've hit the nail on the head. Next to getting paid is hitting a home run for the client so that they're happy about paying you.

I'd like to add one:Fall IN LOVE with your invoici...

2008-05-16T07:50:36.363-05:00

I'd like to add one:

Fall IN LOVE with your invoicing system. It doesn't really matter whether you're using something like QuickBooks, or a web-based tool like Freshbooks or Blinksale... Or even if you're using a combination of sticky notes, spreadsheets and a word processor. Whatevery method you settle on, LOVE IT.

Why? The more you love the way your invoicing system, the quicker you become at it - and the more likely you are to find ways to improve it. Plus, the less time you spend on invoices, the more time it is you can spend working.

Since I do tech work I always have a signed contra...

2008-05-15T17:49:47.217-05:00

Since I do tech work I always have a signed contract with a customer: a.) to limit liability, b.) to assign the rights of my work, and c.) to stipulate payment terms like NET 30 and a late fee. Even billing hourly, when you complete your statement of work you can get a certain amount up front.

Great to see a post like this. ~Jason

You posted this on the day I'm sending out invoice...

2008-05-15T13:34:11.109-05:00

You posted this on the day I'm sending out invoices. Thanks for the advice!

I couldn't agree more. Follow up on all invoices i...

2008-05-15T07:47:51.818-05:00

I couldn't agree more. Follow up on all invoices is key.

Even though we have clients we have worked with for years, we still have to verify invoice receipt. Inevitably the one time we don't follow up is the time that one invoice winds up getting lost.

Great post!

So what you're saying is, nothing is more importan...

2008-05-15T07:17:28.243-05:00

So what you're saying is, nothing is more important than getting paid.