How to Ensure You Get Paid for Freelance Writing

Freelance writing is great when you can get the work. It's even better when you get paid. But all too often clients try to skimp out on paying their freelancers. Oftentimes, there's little recourse for a freelancer to ensure payment on the back-end without going to court. Learn how to take the proper steps on the front-end of the freelancing process to ensure you get paid for your hard work.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• a freelance client
• e-mail or certified mail slip
• a W-9 form
• a freelance writing contract
• invoice

1. Find a freelance client who wants to give you work.
2. Inquire via e-mail (if possible) as to the scope of the project and the pay rate. The benefit of e-mail is that you'll have a recorded copy of your question and the client's response.
3. Once the project's scope and payment are agreed upon, send an e-mail seeking confirmation. This will serve as your contract in the event that the client tries to withhold payment.
4. As an additional measure for even greater security, write up a brief contract outlining the project's scope and agreed upon payment. Sign and date the document and get it notarized.
5. Send the contract via certified mail to the client, and request that he or she signs and dates the document and gets it notarized as well. Be sure to hold onto the certified mail receipt as proof of reception.
6. If you are planning on doing a lot of work for the client or the project you are working on pays more than $600, request a W-9 form. This is legally required for tax purposes.
7. Once the project is completed, be sure to hold onto a copy of your invoice that you send to the client.
8. If the client refuses to do any of the above, run away. It's likely he or she doesn't want to be held legally responsible for paying you for completed work.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not engage a client that refuses to state in writing the scope of a project and the agreed upon payment.