If you’re dealing with a freelance client who won’t pay, and not sure what the next step is, here are steps I took to finally get paid what I was owed. I share the exact email template I used plus a few extra tips you can use to get paid what you deserve!
18. Exhaust All
the Avenues3
Do whatever you can to ensure that
you’ve done your research and have
exhausted all the avenues of getting
their attention.
20. Try calling
their office.
Ask friends or
coworkers who you
know worked with
this client & ask
them about their
payment
experience.
21. Try calling
their office.
Ask friends or
coworkers who you
know worked with
this client & ask
them about their
payment
experience.
Do a search
online and find
the client’s
Twitter handle
and reach out
to the social
team.
22. Seriously, some companies are so disorganized
that they never communicate with each
other and have no idea what’s really going on.
24. Send Them a
Warning Email4
If you truly feel like you’ve done
everything you can (outside of legal
force) send your non-payment client
a warning email.
25. This will show them that you mean business
and it can serve as written proof that you
gave them ample time to rectify the situation.
27. Notice all of the methods used to contact them
(to no avail) are listed, the exact dates, their
promise, information about the contract,
and written notice about further action.
29. Reach Out to a
Lawyer for Help5
If you truly feel like you’ve done
everything you can (outside of legal
force), send your non-payment client
a warning email.
30. Have a lawyer friend send a letter (on their
professional letterhead) stating that you plan
to pursue this matter further, and that you’re
applying X% fee to the invoice each month.
31. Mail this letter via snail mail with return receipt
requested notifying them that they are X days overdue
for payment and as per the contract you are owed $X.
32. If you’re not paid within X amount of time, you will
pursue further legal action. Make sure you keep
the receipt for when they sign for the letter.
33. You don’t even have to pay a lawyer to do this, just
ask your friend if you can use their stationary.
34. You don’t even have to pay a lawyer to do this, just
ask your friend if you can use their stationary.
38. Call the
client or
company out
by name. Alert your entire
community via
social media (like
a private
Facebook group)
or even on your
blog.
39. Call the
client or
company out
by name. Alert your entire
community via
social media (like
a private
Facebook group)
or even on your
blog.
Warn other
freelancers
not to work
with them or
use their
services.
40. You’re not doing this out of spite, and you
should still be respectable about your words,
but make it known that clients can’t treat
business owners this way.