Have you ever had a client ask what forms of freelance writer payment you accept? Do you list them on your website so that clients know up front which ones are available to them? You have several options available and by offering more choices, you may be able to increase your client base.
Some clients have distinct preferences about how they pay their invoices. If you want to work with them, showing some flexibility in the way you accept payments will help you to land a contract. Some potential clients will visit your site and not even make contact if their preferred method of payment is not listed. The more information you can provide up front about how they can pay and if you are prepared to discuss other arrangements, the more likely you are to get an initial e-mail or phone call.
Forms of Freelance Writer Payment
1. Cash
If you are working with a local client and you meet in person to discuss the project, cash is still king. Some people are still prepared to do business in this manner, especially for small jobs. You can provide the client with a receipt when you receive the payment and forward a more formal statement of account when you return to your office.
2. Check
Business clients may wish to pay for invoices by check. If you choose to accept checks from your freelance writing clients, you may decide to wait until the check clears before starting work on a new project. Depending on the amount of the deposit or the invoice, you may decide to set a policy that you will only accept certified checks for amounts above a certain figure.
3. Money Order
Money orders can be sent by domestic and international clients and are a secure way to receive funds through the mail. Once you receive the money order, you simply deposit or cash they money order in the same way as a check. Since the client has already paid the funds to the Post Office or other institution to purchase the money order, you don’t have to wait for them to clear before you will have access to them.
4. Paypal or Other Online Payment Service
Paypal is a convenient way to receive payments from clients. You simply provide the e-mail address linked to your account and they can pay you electronically. Submit your invoice directly to the client through Paypal or have your client transfer the amount owing to you in the requested currency directly.
There is no need for you to do any foreign exchange calculations if you are working with a client in a different country; any exchange from one currency to another is done for you automatically before funds are deposited in your bank account.
Depending on your client’s preference and your arrangement, you may be charged the Paypal fee when you choose this option. Some freelancers negotiate an additional amount in their contract to cover this amount, while others absorb it as a cost of doing business. You will want to keep it in mind when working up a quote for a potential client.
5. Credit Card
A client may ask whether you accept credit card payments, and there are a few different ways you can make this work in your business. Invoicing software that sends out invoices electronically may offer this option, as well as Paypal, to your clients. If you have a Pay Now button on your website for clients who wish to place orders, your clients will be able to pay you using a credit card or Paypal.
6. Direct Deposit
Your client may have an accounting program with the capability to pay independent contractors and suppliers by direct deposit. With this method, you do not have to wait for checks to clear, and you will not have to pay any fees. It will only work for domestic clients, though.
To get started, you will need to provide your client with:
- Your bank routing number (contact your branch to confirm information)
- Your account number
- Name of Bank
- Account Type (Checking, Savings, Investment Account)
If you have concerns about providing this type of personal information to a client, you may want to open a new checking or savings account strictly for receiving deposits for your business instead of using your “main” account. Once you receive a payment, transfer funds into your everyday account for bill payments or whatever you wish.
7. Wire Transfer
A wire transfer is another form of freelance writer payment available. It has the advantage of being fast and the funds are deposited directly to your bank account. The exact time to receive your payment will vary, depending on where the payment originated and the time of day it was sent. You may receive funds the same day or within a few business days. If any currency conversions need to be made, they will be done automatically when your bank receives the funds.
You will need to provide a domestic client with the following information for a wire transfer:
- Your name and full address
- Bank account number
- Branch number and full address
- Institution number (contact bank to confirm information)
For an international wire transfer, you will need to give your client the preceding information, as well as your bank’s:
- Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT) Code
- Routing Number
Contact your bank to get these two numbers. The wire transfer will not go through if either piece of information is incorrect.
The more forms of payment you are prepared to accept from clients, the easier you make it for clients to place their orders and do business with you. Make it easy for them (and you) to work out the details of a project, and you will be able to get on with writing and spend less time negotiating details of your contract.
Image Credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image Credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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