Talk Softly and Carry a Big Stick
Sometimes you have to get tough with your clients. They don’t pay you. Or they pay you slowly. Or they try to change the scope of the project without paying you extra. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you need to take things to the next level:
The Client is Not the Devil
Your client is a person. Do not jump to conclusions. Perhaps they haven’t paid you because something horrific happened in their personal life. This doesn’t mean you should let them walk all over you—but don’t be so quick to decide that they aren’t paying you because they are evil.
Be Professional
This is a business, not your high school gym class. Stick with the facts (as in, our contract states that you should have paid me two weeks ago) and leave the emotion out of it.
Don’t Say What You Can’t Do
If you threaten a course of action, you better be able to carry it out. If you threaten to sue, you better have a lawyer in mind. Empty threats do nothing but lose you credibility.
Dealing with clients who refuse or are slow to pay you is never pleasant. But if you are patient and keep it professional, most times you will recover you money.