How to Get Paid Faster (and Stop Clients from Ghosting on Invoices)

Freelancers aren’t banks. Stop letting clients hold your money hostage.

Late payments can wreck your cash flow, and chasing down invoices is frustrating, awkward, and a waste of your time. But you don’t have to accept it as part of the job.

If you don’t set strong payment terms upfront, some clients will take advantage. That’s why you need to protect yourself before you even start writing.

Quick Tip: Use Clear Contracts and Upfront Payments

A solid contract sets the rules from day one. It should include:

✅ A deposit: At least 50% upfront (I aim for 75% by the first draft).
✅ Milestones: Break payments into stages so you’re never waiting on full payment at the end.
✅ A kill fee: If the client cancels after you’ve started, you still keep a portion of the deposit.

With ongoing clients, I’m more flexible—but I’ve still been burned. A lesson learned: Never be more invested than you can afford to lose.

Full Subscribers: Keep reading for invoice best practices, payment terms that protect you, and scripts to follow up on overdue invoices (without sounding desperate).