If you’re anything like me, you want to give people the benefit of the doubt. You want to believe that everyone is genuinely honest. While this is a great attitude to have, IT DOES NOT APPLY TO THOSE WHO WRITE FREELANCE FOR A LIVING! Unfortunately, for all of the amazing, insightful, patient and well-paying clients, there is always a small percentage who are looking to take advantage of a (new) writer. I should know better. I read all the books. I’ve followed all the advice of the so-called experts in every area up until this one regarding money. Why? Because I wanted to believe in the goodness of people. Because money is a delicate topic. It is a lesson that has cost me.

I’ll share my story with you, hopefully you can learn from my mistakes and not feel you need to make them yourself. I began working with a new client from Elance in the beginning of January. I had no reservations about working with her, as she had an impeccable history (rave reviews from other providers, impecable payment record, etc.). She was even willing to pay me the rate that I wanted. It all seemed perfect. At the onset of our working relationship, she offered to put the payment in the Elance escrow. I agreed and filled out the appropriate contracts, etc. For whatever reason (probably because it was my first escrow project and somewhere along the process I made a mistake) the escrow was not funded. I didn’t really think much of it at the time and went along with my work. I had much contact with this buyer, and she always communicated promptly to any of my questions/concerns. The due date came and I submitted the project to her. She praised the quality of my work and offered me another project. I was so excited to have a repeat client, that I ignored the bells that were going off in my head. I knew I should not have accepted the second project until she paid me for the first one. Of course, I rationalized that she had a stellar history and there was no need to be concerned. I figured that when I invoiced her for the second project, I would tack on the first one as well and forgo using escrow. It’s now been three weeks since I accepted the first project. It’s been a week and a half since she’s had any communication with me. I’ve sent her two polite messages through the Private Message Board requesting payment. Still no response. I did a little searching and discovered that she hired me and another provider to work on her editing projects, so I did some detective work. I contacted the other provider to find out if she got paid. Of course, she says she hasn’t and cannot get a response from the buyer as well. My course of action is a little unclear at this point. On one hand, I don’t want to be too aggressive because I can’t risk her leaving negative feedback for me on Elance. On the other hand, I worked my butt off and deserve to be paid.

Because of this unpleasant situation, I am forced to be more cautious and enforce some firm rules for any/all future projects:

1. Ask for a deposit upfront.

2. Only accept payment via escrow.

While I am still clinging to the hope that this is all some big misunderstanding that will be worked out ASAP, I also know that I cannot be so lax when it comes to holding buyers accountable for payment. Writing is one of the few careers where you really have to exercise every precaution imaginable, otherwise there is a fair likelihood of being taken advantage of by a non-paying client.

***Update 1/26 Client paid me for the first of two projects. Still waiting for second one to be paid. Keeping my fingers crossed. ***

***Update 1/28 Client has paid me fully for both projects. Turns out this really was a genuine case of Escrow/Paypal problems. Perhaps I should be less cynical in the future (but still be more cautious about covering my butt!). ***