Getting paid is one of the most exciting parts of having your own business.
It’s also crucial to get right. After all of the hard work you put into a client project, the last thing you want is for your money to get delayed on its way to you due to a payment snafu.
To prevent this, it’s important to understand all of the different payment options you and your clients have when it comes time to pay an invoice.
Let’s go over how to get paid as a freelancer, starting with creating an invoice to the process that happens after you press send.
How to Accept Payments as a Freelancer
As a business owner, you’re responsible for making sure you get paid. Your salary doesn’t automatically appear in your bank account every two weeks like it did when you worked a 9-5 job. Instead, you get paid by setting up a payment process that makes it easy for clients to pay you on time, every time.
Creating and sending invoices
Payment comes after you send an invoice. The timing of your invoice depends on the payment terms you set up (more on that below), but there are a few ways freelancers typically set up their invoicing cadence:
Invoice at the end of a project
Invoice monthly
Invoice for a deposit at the start of a project
Invoice along the way as phases of a larger project are complete
Creating an invoice to send to clients is easy with the right tool. At a high level, an invoice should list the services you provided, the price of each, and the total amount owed.
Online invoicing tools typically offer standard invoice templates so you don’t need to create one from scratch. If you use Wethos, you can turn your proposal directly into an invoice to make the process even more seamless.
After you’ve sent an invoice to a client, it’s time to get paid.
Accepting paymentsas a freelancer
Once your client receives your invoice, they’re given several options to pay you, depending on the invoicing platform you use.
The most common ways to get paid as a freelancer are:
Bank transfer
Credit or debit card payment
Wire transfer
Online payment services (PayPal, Venmo, Stripe, etc.)
Check
Each of these has its benefits depending on your current situation. For instance, if you’re just getting started or freelancing on the side, you may be billing for small projects and can get by using an online payment service.
While these services are convenient, they typically charge high transaction fees that can get expensive if you’re invoicing often or invoicing large amounts. As you scale your business, you’ll start to work on bigger projects or with recurring clients and will need a more efficient way to manage hefty client payments and invoices.
That’s where a freelance invoicing and payments tool like Wethos comes into play.
5 Types of Freelancer Payment Methods
1. Bank transfer
A bank transfer, also known as an ACH (Automated Clearing House) payment, is a direct way to move money from one bank account to another. Here's why it's a popular choice for freelancers:
Low Fees: Bank transfers often have lower fees compared to other payment methods, which is ideal for freelancers looking to maximize their earnings.
Security: The ACH network is regulated and offers a secure way to receive payments without sharing sensitive information.
Automatic Payments: Some invoicing platforms allow clients to set up recurring bank transfers, making it easier for freelancers to receive ongoing payments for retainer services.
2. Credit or debit card payment
The ubiquity of credit and debit cards makes them a convenient option for clients to pay invoices. Here are the advantages:
Ease of Use: Most clients are familiar with using cards to make payments, which can speed up the payment process.
Rewards: Clients might prefer using credit cards for payments to earn points, miles, or cashback rewards.
Immediate Authorization: When a client pays with a card, the transaction is typically authorized immediately, providing reassurance that the payment is in process.
However, freelancers should be aware of potential processing fees associated with card payments.
3. Wire transfer
Wire transfers are another traditional method of payment, suited for large amounts and international transactions:
Speed: Wire transfers can be quite fast, especially for domestic payments, often within the same business day.
International Acceptance: For freelancers with international clients, wire transfers are a widely accepted means of receiving payments across borders.
Safety: The transfer is handled directly between banks, which adds a layer of security.
Wire transfer fees can be higher, and they may be more suitable for significant one-time payments rather than smaller, frequent transactions.
4. Online payment services (PayPal, Venmo, Stripe, etc.)
The rise of online payment services has revolutionized payments for freelancers. These platforms offer various benefits:
Convenience: Payments can be made and received quickly, often with just a few clicks or taps.
Flexibility: Freelancers can link multiple bank accounts or cards to their online payment service accounts.
Accessibility: Services like PayPal are available in numerous countries, making it easy to receive international payments.
However, freelancers should be mindful of the fees that come with receiving money through these services, which can vary depending on the type of transaction and the countries involved.
5. Check
Despite the digital revolution, checks remain a method of payment for many businesses, especially in certain industries and regions:
No Processing Fees: Receiving a check typically doesn't involve direct processing fees, which is beneficial for retaining the full payment amount.
Familiarity: Some clients may prefer checks, as they're a traditional payment method they're comfortable using.
The drawbacks include the time it takes for a check to arrive via mail, the additional step of depositing the check, and the potential for checks to bounce if the client's account has insufficient funds.
3 Tips for Getting Paid Faster for Freelance Work
Offering multiple payment methods when invoicing your clients is the best thing you can do to make it easy to get paid as a freelancer. There are a few more best practices to follow to ensure your payments are made in a timely manner so you can move your business forward.
1. Create clear payment terms
Before you send your first invoice, make sure everyone involved is clear about what to expect. Include payment terms in your contracts so your clients know ahead of time how and when to pay their invoices.
Payment terms can include:
Getting paid net 30 (payment within 30 days of invoice receipt)
Late fees
Payment schedules
Deposits
You can start work once you’ve got a signed contract in place that reflects your payment terms. Payment terms help protect your business by ensuring clients pay on time and according to your preferences. If you need help creating a contract, Wethos offers contract terms templates that you can easily add to your proposals.
2. Keep tabs on your invoices
Another best practice to follow is to track your invoices throughout the process so you can ensure you get paid on time. This means sending them according to the payment schedule that you and your client agreed to, whether that’s at the end of the month, at every project milestone, or upon completion of the project. Doing so helps keep everyone accountable.
If you use Wethos, you can also schedule your invoices for a later date. This way you can create all of the invoices required for a client project at once and schedule them to go out when they’re supposed to. After you’ve sent an invoice, you can also send your clients an invoice reminder if it’s overdue or if it needs to be resent. Once a client submits payment, mark your invoice as paid so you know that the transaction is complete.
3. Make it easy for clients to pay
In your payment terms, let your clients know what payment options are available when it comes time to pay their invoice. You can also remind them of the options when you send the first invoice. Wethos' invoicing tool includes your accepted payments methods directly in your invoice, making it easy for clients to pay you in just a few clicks. Knowing ahead of time which payment methods are available will give them time to prepare and decrease the chance that they’ll drag their feet when it’s time to pay.
Being able to adapt to a client’s preferred payment method and remind them of sent invoices ensures your invoices get paid on time, and clients can pay you seamlessly — which is a win-win for everyone. Not only does this mean you’ll get paid faster, but it also means less time spent chasing down invoices and more time to start working on your next project.
