How to Make Sure You Get Paid on Time Every Time
6 mins read
Published Apr 8, 2025
One of the most frustrating realities of self-employment is doing the work… and then waiting weeks (or months) for your money. According to multiple freelancer surveys, nearly 60% of independent workers have dealt with late or missed payments.
Why does it keep happening?
Unclear terms: If a client isn’t told exactly when payment is due, they’ll default to their own timeline.
Disorganization: Some clients lose invoices or forget. Not malicious — just sloppy.
Cash flow issues: A client might be waiting on their customer before they pay you. Unfortunately, that leaves you holding the bag.
The key takeaway: late payments usually aren’t personal, but they’re preventable if you set up systems that leave no wiggle room.
The most effective way to avoid late payments is to remove all ambiguity before the project even starts.
That means:
Use contracts, not emails. A friendly email might outline the work, but only a signed contract ensures enforceability.
Require deposits. A standard practice is 25–50% upfront. It signals commitment and covers your initial time investment.
Set due dates, not vague timelines. Instead of “Payment due after completion,” write “Payment due within 7 days of project delivery.”
Add late fees. Even a modest fee (e.g., 5% after 14 days) gives clients a reason to prioritize your invoice.
When you put these terms in writing, you train clients to respect your process.
Technology takes the awkwardness out of chasing money. Instead of sending “Hey, did you see my invoice?” emails, let automation do the heavy lifting.
Automatic reminders: Many platforms will email clients when payments are overdue.
Upfront deposits: Instead of hoping for goodwill, the system won’t let work start without a deposit.
Integrated contracts + payments: The smoothest setup is when the agreement and payment flow happen together — no disconnected tools, no excuses.
👉 This is exactly where Bind come in. You can create a contract, lock in payment terms, and accept ACH or credit card — all in the same workflow. That way, both sides have clarity and security before the first hour of work begins.
