What can freelancers and consultants do to make sure clients meet their payment obligations? Here are a few simple tips to help you get paid.

Going freelance offers many perks to writers, web designers, and consultants of all stripes. But when it’s time to collect money from clients, even the most disaffected corporate refugees may miss the “law and order” types in their old purchasing department (maybe).

So what can you do to make sure clients meet their payment obligations? Here are four simple tips:

  1. Define the project clearly

    Always create a formal project plan with a defined goal and start/end date, a list of deliverables, and an estimated or fixed cost. Such a plan is key to the tips listed below. It can also make your client more confident about the value you’re offering them, which can definitely ease delivery of payment.

  2. Have your client sign a contract

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    Never work without a contract, but don’t go crazy with it, either. Often a one-page contract with basic project details (project name and ID, client name, start/date, estimated hours/costs) and signature slots for you and your client is enough. A contract should also reference a related project plan (see above) and the terms of service (see below).

  3. Define the terms of service

    The terms of service defines your client’s obligations regarding how and when they must pay you. To define terms, state them (”Autonomous Mind Consulting, LLC requires full payment to be received within 30 days from the invoice date”) and then define them specifically (e.g., “to be received” means in your mailbox, not in the mail; “30 days” means 30 calendar days, not 30 business days). As with a contract, you and your client should both sign a terms document.

  4. Generally make things easier for your client

    Little things are important: using self-addressed stamped envelopes to exchange signed documents with clients; providing a W9 before the client asks for one; producing comprehensible and error-free project plans, contracts, terms, and invoices. Every bit helps.

Ultimately, the freelancer’s ideal is to do good work and get paid for it. These tips can help ensure your clients satisfy their half of the deal.