Comments on: Pearls of wisdom: how to get paid faster http://www.freshbooks.com/blog/2007/10/31/pearls-of-wisdom-how-to-get-paid-faster/ A blog about our thoughts on entrepreneurship, teamwork, our services, the Web and anything we find interesting. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:26:59 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Aaron Adams http://www.freshbooks.com/blog/2007/10/31/pearls-of-wisdom-how-to-get-paid-faster/comment-page-1/#comment-45834 Aaron Adams Fri, 16 Nov 2007 18:24:54 +0000 http://www.freshbooks.com/blog/2007/10/31/pearls-of-wisdom-how-to-get-paid-faster/#comment-45834 I do think there are plenty of people out there who value a job well done; of course there's also a large quantity of folks who would prefer to cut corners and are satisfied with (for lack of a better term) half-assery. We've always been comfortable with being selective about the people we work with, and for; if a client is unscrupulous, say goodbye, because they likely won't be worth your time in the end. Unfortunately a lawsuit, or the threat of one, is typically the only remedy to a breach of contract like your describe in your second paragraph. But usually a well-written, legally binding contract will prevent most people from shirking their obligations. And if not, you've got the ammunition to hit them where it hurts. You might find it good to network with other web designers in your area to see what they do. Many of the designers we hear from are constantly turning down work and can afford to be very picky about the projects they take on, so they don't see other designers as competition in the traditional sense; they see them as valuable resources, and perhaps even sources or targets for work referrals. They could probably offer you some great advice on how to find those people who are worth working for. I do think there are plenty of people out there who value a job well done; of course there’s also a large quantity of folks who would prefer to cut corners and are satisfied with (for lack of a better term) half-assery.

We’ve always been comfortable with being selective about the people we work with, and for; if a client is unscrupulous, say goodbye, because they likely won’t be worth your time in the end.

Unfortunately a lawsuit, or the threat of one, is typically the only remedy to a breach of contract like your describe in your second paragraph. But usually a well-written, legally binding contract will prevent most people from shirking their obligations. And if not, you’ve got the ammunition to hit them where it hurts.

You might find it good to network with other web designers in your area to see what they do. Many of the designers we hear from are constantly turning down work and can afford to be very picky about the projects they take on, so they don’t see other designers as competition in the traditional sense; they see them as valuable resources, and perhaps even sources or targets for work referrals. They could probably offer you some great advice on how to find those people who are worth working for.

]]> By: Rita Lewis http://www.freshbooks.com/blog/2007/10/31/pearls-of-wisdom-how-to-get-paid-faster/comment-page-1/#comment-45833 Rita Lewis Fri, 16 Nov 2007 14:03:28 +0000 http://www.freshbooks.com/blog/2007/10/31/pearls-of-wisdom-how-to-get-paid-faster/#comment-45833 This entry is very helpful. I've been freelancing for 17 years and I still haven't figured out a way to write the contract so that the final invoice is accepted, i.e., the web site is agreed to be finished to the client's satisfaction. I now word the contract saying that the final invoice will be sent upon joint agreement that the website is in publishable condition and any subsequent corrections would be performed as part of the original contract. Now, unscrupulous clients sometimes bring up new things and say they are old. Other possible clients (this happened recently) took my proposal for a web site, argued my price down, told me in writing I had the job then turned around and changed the specs and told me I had to compete with a new submitter. They had obviously sent my estimate to this other person. I find that my good clients will sign on and appreciate your great client pages and work online accepting estimates and those difficult clients never sign on or use the tools you provide. I really like Fresh Books because I can actually track by login in dates (or not) those people I wish to do further business with (or who potentially will offer me future business). Your idea of getting paid what you are worth is wonderful, but in web design I haven't figured out how to sell that because there is always someone who offers a cheaper product. I know what the personalized service and customized unique coding is worth, but do clients? This entry is very helpful. I’ve been freelancing for 17 years and I still haven’t figured out a way to write the contract so that the final invoice is accepted, i.e., the web site is agreed to be finished to the client’s satisfaction. I now word the contract saying that the final invoice will be sent upon joint agreement that the website is in publishable condition and any subsequent corrections would be performed as part of the original contract.

Now, unscrupulous clients sometimes bring up new things and say they are old. Other possible clients (this happened recently) took my proposal for a web site, argued my price down, told me in writing I had the job then turned around and changed the specs and told me I had to compete with a new submitter. They had obviously sent my estimate to this other person.

I find that my good clients will sign on and appreciate your great client pages and work online accepting estimates and those difficult clients never sign on or use the tools you provide. I really like Fresh Books because I can actually track by login in dates (or not) those people I wish to do further business with (or who potentially will offer me future business).

Your idea of getting paid what you are worth is wonderful, but in web design I haven’t figured out how to sell that because there is always someone who offers a cheaper product. I know what the personalized service and customized unique coding is worth, but do clients?

]]> By: xentek.net http://www.freshbooks.com/blog/2007/10/31/pearls-of-wisdom-how-to-get-paid-faster/comment-page-1/#comment-45791 xentek.net Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:11:48 +0000 http://www.freshbooks.com/blog/2007/10/31/pearls-of-wisdom-how-to-get-paid-faster/#comment-45791 <strong>Know your value, and then Ask For it....</strong> To invoice my clients, I use an application called Fresh Books, formerly Second Site - that’s what it was called when I signed up. ...... Know your value, and then Ask For it….

To invoice my clients, I use an application called Fresh Books, formerly Second Site – that’s what it was called when I signed up.
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