If there is one question that freelancers ask themselves, it’s how they’re going to get paid. It’s not when, or whether the customer just won’t pay for the services you offer, but how. There are so many methods out there to ensure that you are paid on time, and when you are used to someone handing you a paycheck every week or two, it can feel intimidating to know that as an independent contractor you are only going to get paid if you give people options.
There are so many different platforms that it can become confusing to know where to begin. So many people choose to use online platforms to make payments but if you see people in person, you might choose to use a mobile card reader available here. Once you see how payments are made, you can then make the right choice as to which reliable option you want to use with your clients. Here are some of the most popular payment methods that freelancers use to get paid on time every time.
- A check. Believe it or not, checks are still a thing and you need to think about whether you want to accept them. There are many larger companies that choose to cut a check to freelancers every month, so you might find some clients prefer to use this method and won’t change their mind. The only issue with checks is that they can bounce, and they can easily get lost in the mail. You can also find that you might be finding it difficult to wait around for payment!
- Online payments. There are some freelancers that accept online payments. These can be fee-based or they can be free. No-fee online payments have become more and more prevalent over the years but fee charging platforms can often be the better option because of the fact that you can have more of a guarantee that you will get paid on time when you request it.
- Bank transfer. An electronic funds transfer is where the bank fires the payment quickly from account to account, and there are so many different online platforms like Wise to help you with that. For long term transactions, a bank transfer is often the way to go.
- Accepting cards. If your business is client facing, a mobile card reader is often the best thing that you can use to help people to pay you. We’re all getting used to tapping technology and you can offer options that ensure that you get paid quickly and instantly.
- Trading. Believe it or not, some people still barter and trade for payment! Swapping services is not uncommon among freelancers: writers who need a logo can swap their ability to write content for the logo they need. Of course, it’s not going to put food on the table but token gigs like this gives you a chance to build your business and give back all at once. It’s an easy and effective way to get paid.
