| How does a freelancer get 50 percent of the fee up | | | | balks, proceed very carefully if you proceed at all. If |
| front? | | | | the client has problems paying you now, before you do |
| One of my copywriting colleagues, Susan Fantle, | | | | the work, it's a red flag. You're better off to say no, |
| asked me for a discussion of the topic since she had | | | | and spend your time marketing yourself to find a |
| recently encountered some difficulties with clients. In | | | | better client. |
| her own words: | | | | A Quick List of What Should Be in Your Contract: |
| "I've been in this business for 23 years and only in | | | | - A very detailed description of the job, listing |
| ncentive the rush the check. So I send a final Invoice | | | | virtuallyeverything you will do |
| "due and payable upon receipt," instructing the | | | | - A deadline for the work to be completed |
| payment to be sent via regular mail. | | | | - Revision terms |
| Since I work directly with the client, this arrangement | | | | - Payment terms |
| works well for me, however you may need to be | | | | - Late payment terms |
| more flexible depending on whom you work with, or | | | | - A description of what will be included in your services |
| what market you're working in. For instance, ad | | | | - A description of what will not be included |
| agencies may ask you to collect 100 percent at the | | | | (interviewingand creating testimonials, for instance) |
| back end, especially if the job is small and fast. | | | | - A policy on how change orders are handled (you |
| For very large jobs, paying in thirds is also common. | | | | charge moreif they make a significant change after |
| And small businesses may prefer to pay in thirds if | | | | work has been done) |
| their budget is tight (and it usually is). And then, of | | | | - Ownership (you own the copyright until you've |
| course, there are those pay arrangements that include | | | | received fullpayment) |
| bonuses or royalties, which you will most often find in | | | | - Indemnity (a legal disclaimer holding you harmless |
| the business-to-consumer side of direct marketing, | | | | againstany legal charges such as libel and copyright |
| among very large mailers. | | | | infringement;you don't need to add false advertising |
| Does anyone ever get paid 100 percent up front? The | | | | since you won't bedoing that anyway) |
| answer is yes, but I've seen it rarely. Recently one of | | | | - An agreement for the client to share work samples |
| my coaching students was paid 100 percent up front | | | | andresults (so you can use them in your promotions) |
| for a very small job worth $300. And another student | | | | Don't be so anxious to get the work that you fail to |
| was paid in the four figures from an entrepreneur, who | | | | get a signed Fee Agreement and payment up front. |
| obviously understood that the copywriter realized the | | | | Getting payment up front is an effective screen, and |
| risk involved with working with a risk-taking marketer. | | | | evidence that you are a professional. |
| My advice is to try for 50 percent, and if the client | | | | |