Always insist on something in writing, whether you fax them your own agreement, or they fax you a purchase order. Without details of project in writing, you'll forget what you said, or they'll forget what they said. It's worth taking extra trouble to spell it all out in writing --- however briefly --- so that everyone's on same page.

=> The check's in mail

Unfortunately, even with agreement signed and sealed, some clients extend payment period. I don't concern myself for 30 days, which is probably a mistake.

After 30 days, I follow up, usually with an e-mail reminder. If there's no result, I follow up again each week, either with an e- mail message, or with a phone call.

Sooner or later, client will pay his bill.

To gee up laggards, in future I'll be following up after 14 days.

=> Tips to keep cash flowing

* Bill your client as soon as you've provided service. I used to allow five days to pass, but since I provide two revisions of copy if necessary anyway, I invoice as soon as I've completed work.

* If you anticipate heavy expenses, bill client up front for a portion of them. Keep track, and present your expense sheet for payment regularly.

* For long projects, bill at stated intervals. Once a week is reasonable, once a fortnight is too long. Don't continue work without getting paid. Be inflexible about this. If you allow too much leeway, you can find yourself working for a month, and unable to collect because client is insolvent.

* Check your finance program to see whether it has a reminder feature. If it does set it remind you to follow up on slow payers regularly.

* Keep your cool. Be calm, polite and completely professional when you follow up with slow payers.

Slow-payers are a fact of business life. Put a system in place that helps you to handle follow ups with them quickly, and they won't bother you too much.

***Resource box: if using, please include***

Angela Booth crafts words for your business. Words to sell, educate or persuade. Contact her today for a free quote:

http://www.digital-e.biz/

Free ezine: Creative Small Biz --- subscribe at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Creative_Small_Biz/

Your subscribers will also be much more likely to see you as a trusted expert in your field which will generate more sales of your own products as well as any products you endorse.

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