How to Get Paid as a Freelancer

We wish you could snap your fingers and get paid. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that, but there are many software solutions that make getting paid as a freelancer quick and seamless! Let’s check them out.

Online Payment Platforms

Online payments are way typically the fastest and more secure ways to receive payments. There are a number of payment apps that are safe and easy to use. If you're a WorkMade user, you can use our easy invoicing tool to send money directly into your business bank account. WorkMade allows you to have your clients pay directly from your invoice via: card, bank transfer, Wire or even check. Fees depend on the payment method you choose but are lower than many of the alternatives.

If you don't use WorkMade there are some great alternatives out there, such as Square and Stripe, which allow for a variety of payment types. There are also payment platforms like Venmo and PayPal, but those platforms have higher business fees and longer times to cash out.

Direct Transfer

A direct transfer is a type of bank-to-bank payment that moves money from one account to another. A direct transfer is typically done online, but it can also be initiated through the phone or by physically visiting a bank branch. If you want to pay someone or receive money via direct transfer, you'll need the person's name, routing/ABA number, account number, account type, and the amount you’d like to transfer! Some clients will have their own payroll platform that will directly deposit or transfer funds to your business bank account.

Check

Client not tech savvy? You can always go old-school and ask your client to mail you a check. Though this takes longer.

Net Terms

Now that we’ve talked about how to get paid as a freelancer, let’s talk about when you can expect to get paid as a freelancer.

Net Terms is a common term to refer to a payment period. Some of the most common payment periods include Net 30. This means that upon receiving the invoice, the client/customer has 30-days to pay the total invoice. Net terms include weekends and bank holidays (non-working days). Other common Net Terms you may see are 15, 60 and 90 days. We recommend avoiding payment terms above Net 30.

Milestones

Milestone structures are great for long-term projects and are especially useful in managing cash flow. A milestone payment is when a freelancer or independent contractor is paid in stages of progress throughout the course of a project when agreed-upon milestones are achieved. All milestones should be clearly written out and stated in a contract prior to starting the job! It's very common for project-based freelancers and consultants to ask for 50% upfront.

Payment terms are really important to discuss upfront with clients. While it may feel awkward and uncomfortable to talk about, it’s important to get paid for your hard work and know exactly when you’re going to receive the money, since it can have major cash flow implications.

You need to define the payment terms in the contract, have a specific way to request and receive money, and then somehow keep track of it all.

Staying organized and having a system in place for requesting and receiving payments is imperative to running a profitable business.

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