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Freelance Writing Question:
When Do I Ask For Payment for My Writing?
How to Collect for Your Writing
Question: I sold an article to a trade magazine. They've already
published it but I haven't been paid yet. How do I ask for payment without
seeming tacky? cs
Answer: What's tacky about asking for payment?
Seriously, there's nothing tacky
or otherwise wrong or in poor taste about getting paid, and that includes asking
for payment due. The magazine contracted with you to write an article for $xx.
Obviously they like your work or it wouldn't have been published. If anything,
it's the magazine that's being tacky by not paying you promptly.
That said, here are my two favorite approaches:
- I make a telephone call to the editor and
ask when I can expect payment. Or, if I'm feeling less aggressive, I'll ask
where to send the invoice. In either case, I'll keep it light because a
conversation with an editor properly handled often ends up in an additional
assignment or two. You know, I'll get an answer to my question and then ask
something like "What else is going on? What can I write for you now?"
- I'll send an
invoice.
Sometimes I'll send it to the editor, but I think it makes more sense to send
it to the accounting department. You can either just address it that way, or
call and ask the receptionist about it.
We deserve to get paid for our work, and often
we have to take action to make sure we collect.
You may also want to read:
Handling Slow and No-Pay
Clients
Write well and often,
Question
and Answer Index
If you have a question you'd like to see here, send an email to me at:
anne@aboutfreelancewriting.com. Please, put Q&A in the subject line so
it won't get lost. I don't promise to answer every question, but I'll consider
it. Know too, that when you send a question, and I do decide to publish it, I
reserve the right to edit for clarity, etc.
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