I learned a tough lesson the hard way recently: I completed some copy-writing work for a Canadian startup in March 2023, a job that would net me $4,000. It took me around two weeks, and a total of around 25 hours. I enjoyed the work, actually, since I was delving into a new type of writing that wasn’t in my roundhouse and professional development is a key part of taking on a new gig (especially if the pay is decent).
Thing is, I was getting the runaround when net 30 passed. Then came the summer and I was being told the direct deposit would soon arrive. Nada. I got frustrated, I could feel my nails dig into my palms when I thought about this client, and my girlfriend noticed how upset I got when I talked about this delayed payment.
Then came the news I was dreading to hear. The client went bankrupt, and unsecured creditors like myself wouldn’t see a dime. They owed more than $3 million to various creditors, with secured creditors such as investment firms being first in line.
Fuck. This sucks. And the pain in my gut intensified.
It was then that I realized how foolish I was for not taking my own advice. I’ve often told freelance writers in my coaching program to ask for half the fee upfront if they were working with a new client and taking on a project exceeding $2,000. After all, this is common practice in other fields such as graphic design, photography, web design, etc. Why should freelance writing be any different?
So I implore you, fellow freelancers: When confronted with a large project, request half the fee before you submit the first draft. If you face pushback, clearly state why your contract includes this clause. Let them know this is routine protocol for freelance contractors, and lay out the timeline of your deliverables so you can be held accountable for any and all deadlines.
Note that you shouldn’t force this protocol for smaller fees, such as a $400 Toronto Star article. It just doesn’t happen with media companies such as dailies, so you’ll want to apply this policy for businesses large and small, especially if this is your first time working with them.
Any questions about requesting half the project fee? I can help you with your writing business via my coaching program, and get in touch anytime if you would like to learn more.
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