How to Get Paid as a Freelancer
Figuring out how to get paid as a freelancer isn’t always straightforward. Between navigating payment platforms, dealing with international clients, and chasing late invoices, it’s easy to feel like you’re spending more time on admin than on your actual work.
Fortunately, there are clear strategies and tools that make getting paid as a freelancer simple and stress free. In this guide, you’ll learn how to:
- Understand the main payment options available to freelancers
- Pick the tools that match your clients and workflow
- Set clear payment policies that protect your income
- Automate invoicing so you get paid faster
- Follow up on late payments without damaging client relationships
By the end, you’ll know exactly how to choose the right tools, set clear payment terms, and take the stress out of getting paid.
1. Understand Your Payment Options
Before you can pick a payment tool, you need to understand the main ways freelancers get paid. Each method has its benefits and drawbacks, and most freelancers use a mix depending on their clients.
Online Payment Platforms
These third-party services are designed for speed and convenience, especially for international clients. You don’t need to share your bank details, just an email address or account ID.
- Pros: Fast, widely used, and simple for clients.
- Cons: Transaction fees (usually 1–3%) and currency conversion costs can add up.
A freelance designer in Canada might use an online platform like PayPal to invoice a US client and receive payment within hours.
Bank Transfers
Bank transfers move money directly from your client’s account to yours. They’re most commonly used for domestic clients and larger, recurring projects.
- Pros: Reliable, secure, and often free or low cost for domestic payments.
- Cons: International bank transfers can be slow (several days) and come with high fees.
A freelance copywriter working with a local business might prefer a direct bank transfer to avoid platform fees.
Escrow Services
Escrow payment services hold a client’s funds in a secure account until you deliver the work. This protects both you and the client.
- Pros: Reduces risk of nonpayment, so is ideal for large or high-trust projects.
- Cons: Platform fees (usually 3–5%) and slower payouts.
A freelance web developer might use escrow for a $5,000 project with a first-time client to guarantee payment security.
Credit Card or Invoicing Platforms
For freelancers working with businesses, accepting credit card payments through invoicing tools adds a layer of professionalism and convenience.
- Pros: Makes payments easy for clients and supports recurring billing.
- Cons: Fees are usually similar to those of online payment platforms.
A freelance marketing consultant on retainer might use a tool like Stripe to send automated invoices and accept card payments every month.
2. Pick the Best Tools for Your Situation
Once you understand the payment methods, it’s time to choose the tools that fit your needs. Here are the best options for each method, and when to use them:
Online Payment Platforms
If you work with international clients or need a quick, client-friendly way to get paid, these platforms are the most practical options:
- PayPal: Easy to set up and widely recognized, but fees (2.9% + currency conversion) can be high for large payments.
- Payoneer: Ideal for global clients. Lets you receive payments in 150+ currencies as local transfers, helping you avoid unnecessary conversion fees.
- Wise: Excellent for holding multiple currencies and transferring money at real exchange rates with transparent, low fees.
These options are best for international clients or one-off projects where speed and simplicity matter most.
Bank Transfers
For clients in the same country, or those who prefer direct payments, these tools help you keep fees low and transactions straightforward:
- Traditional Banks: A secure, no-frills option for domestic clients.
- Wise: Offers local account details in multiple currencies, making it cheaper and faster to receive international transfers without traditional wire fees.
- Zelle: For US-based freelancers and clients, Zelle allows near-instant payments directly between bank accounts with no fees.
These options are best for domestic clients or long-term relationships where simple, direct payments are preferred.
Escrow Services
When payment security is a priority – especially for new or high-value clients – these tools make sure you get paid for completed work:
- Fiverr Workspace: Lets you create contracts with escrow-backed payments outside of marketplace platforms.
- Upwork Direct Contracts: Offers escrow protection without requiring a full Upwork account.
- Moxie: An all-in-one freelance business tool that includes built-in escrow features for secure payments alongside contracts and invoicing.
These options are best for large projects or first-time clients where you want extra payment security.
Credit Card or Invoicing Platforms
For freelancers who want a polished, business-like payment process, these tools streamline billing and support professional invoicing:
- Stripe: Handles credit card payments and recurring billing, and integrates with accounting software.
- Revolut Business: A modern alternative to traditional banking, offering multi-currency support and fast transfers.
- FreshBooks: Primarily an accounting tool, but its built-in invoicing and online payment processing make it an excellent all-in-one option for freelancers who want to manage both billing and bookkeeping in one place.
These options are best for long-term clients, retainers, or any situation where you need a polished, professional payment process.
3. Set Clear Payment Policies
Even the best payment tools won’t help if your payment terms are vague. Clear policies protect you and set client expectations from day one:
- State which payment methods you accept: List your preferred platforms (e.g., Wise, PayPal, Stripe) in your contracts and invoices so there’s no confusion for the client.
- Include payment terms in your contracts: Specify due dates (e.g., “net 14” or “due on receipt”) and any late fees.
- Request deposits: Asking for 30–50% up front for large projects shows professionalism and reduces risk.
- Use milestone payments: Break long projects into stages (e.g., 25% up front, 50% mid-project, 25% on completion).
- Charge late fees: A small fee (e.g., 2% per month) can prevent payment delays.
For example, you might request 50% up front, list Wise and Stripe as accepted payment methods, and split the remainder between two milestones to keep cash flow steady.
4. Automate Your Invoicing and Tracking
Manually creating and chasing invoices wastes time you could be spending on client work. Instead, automate the process:
- Use invoicing software: Tools like Wave and Bonsai let you send professional invoices, track payments, and send automatic reminders.
- Sync with payment tools: Stripe, PayPal, and Wise all integrate with accounting software, so you can see everything in one dashboard.
- Set up recurring billing: For retainers or subscription-style services, automate invoices to save time and avoid missed payments.
For instance, you could set up Wave to send monthly invoices automatically, track overdue payments, and follow up, without manual effort.
5. Follow Up Professionally on Late Payments
Even with good systems in place, late payments happen. How you handle them matters! By following a clear escalation process and keeping your emails polite but firm, you can usually resolve payment issues without damaging the client relationship.
1. Send a Polite Reminder
If an invoice is a few days overdue, assume the best. Your client might have simply missed it. Here’s an example of a polite reminder email:
Subject: Friendly Reminder: Invoice #456
Hi [Client],
I hope you’re doing well! I just wanted to remind you that invoice #456 for [project name] was due on [date].
Could you confirm when payment will be processed? Please let me know if you need me to resend the invoice or provide any details to help.
Thanks so much for your attention to this!
Best,
[Your Name]
2. Escalate if There’s No Response
If the first reminder doesn’t work, send a firmer email that references your payment terms. For example:
Subject: Second Reminder: Invoice #456
Hi [Client],
I wanted to follow up regarding invoice #456 for [project name], which was due on [date]. According to our agreement, payment was due within [X] days.
Could you let me know when I can expect payment? If you’ve already sent it, please disregard this message. Otherwise, I’d appreciate it if you could process it by [new deadline].
Thank you for your prompt attention.
Best,
[Your Name]
3. Apply Late Fees or Take Action
If there’s still no response, it’s time to reference late fees or outline next steps, such as pausing work or using a payment collection process. For instance:
Subject: Overdue Payment: Invoice #456
Hi [Client],
I’m following up again regarding invoice #456, which was due on [date]. As outlined in our contract, late fees of [X%] will apply if payment is not received by [final deadline].
Please arrange payment as soon as possible to avoid additional charges. If there’s a problem on your end, let me know, and we can discuss a resolution.
If I don’t hear back, I’ll need to [pause work on your project/take further action].
Thank you for resolving this promptly.
Best,
[Your Name]
Take Your Next Steps as a Freelancer
Getting paid as a freelancer comes down to having a clear system in place. Choose the right payment tools, outline your terms, automate your invoicing, and follow up promptly when needed. With these steps, you can protect your income and focus on doing the work you enjoy.
If you’re ready to take freelancing further, Becoming A Freelancer will show you how to attract clients, manage your workload, and build a sustainable business you can be proud of. Take the first step toward building a thriving freelance career today!
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