Best Way to Get Paid as a Freelancer
One of the things you need to figure out is the best way to get paid for freelance work. Because you are no longer an employee wherein you get your money instantly deposited to your account on a monthly basis. As a freelancer, you really have to be a jack of all trades. Not only should you be able to do your freelance work, but you also have to do everything else. You have to talk to clients and make deals, you have to create invoices, keep track of project schedules, and yes, manage payments.
If you are just starting out, you’ll definitely wonder how do freelancers get paid exactly. Well, the answer is, that depends. There are several things you need to consider before you start creating bank accounts or downloading cash apps or signing up with a credit card processing company.
Factors to Consider for Freelance Payment Methods
The best way to get paid for freelance work will depend on factors not everyone might be aware of. This can be anything from your technical know-how to the type of clients you have, and more. Check out some of the factors below:
Industry
What industry are you exactly freelancing in? Sometimes, there are certain industries that have a specific payment method that is popular. For example, if you are a Crypto freelancer, it might make sense to get paid in cryptocurrency. But then again, this all depends on your industry and your specific niche.
Availability of Payment Methods
Where do you reside and what are the available payment methods to you? This is very important as not all payment methods are available in all countries. So, you have to check these before signing up or making a commitment to your client.
Clientelle
If your clients are from the same country as you are, then you shouldn’t have much trouble in this department. However, if you have potential clients from around the world, you’re going to need a payment method that is accessible to them all, and of course, to you.
If you choose a payment method that a client is unfamiliar with, they might not be comfortable sending money that way. So, sometimes, you have to go with a payment method that is known worldwide.
Prices of Products or Services
It’s true that a freelancer can earn more than a regular employee. And although that is a good thing, you have to consider the payment methods that you have. So, if your products or services are quite pricey, do take note of the transaction limits of the payment methods of your choice. Clients may have no trouble paying you but you might get a problem accepting the payments.
This can definitely be troublesome if you already have multiple clients and projects and there is a limit to your account. Do your research on payment methods and also do the math if your products and services will reach transaction limits.
Technical Skills
Not all freelancers are a wiz at the computer, some just know the very basics to get by. You should also know that now all payment methods are user-friendly. Some require a little technical know-how, for example, when it comes to PayPal vs Stripe the latter is designed for developers. So, it won’t be as easy setting it up as compared to PayPal.
Popular Payment Methods
There is a multitude of freelance payment methods out there, here are a few you can check out:
Physical
Yes, you might be surprised but there are freelancers who are getting paid in cold hard cash. But of course, this is only advisable if you live near your client. You can’t exactly put cash in an envelope and give it to the mailman.
Some clients may also give you a check, which you can deposit to your bank or encash. Again, this is only ideal for clients and freelancers who are close to each other, and even better if they already know each other.
Digital
If you are a freelancer who has clients from around the world or if you are a digital nomad, digital payments are the way to go. You can always go with PayPal, Stripe, or Venmo. However, you might be surprised that some freelancers accept credit cards.
There are clients who prefer to pay using their credit cards, so as to avoid the issue of converting currencies and security reasons, and so on. If that’s the case, you can check out credit card processing software. You don’t need a credit card terminal, thanks to technological advancements, but you do have the option from some companies.
Tips on the Best Way to Get Paid for Freelance Works
How to get paid as a freelancer is not as hard as it looks but there are definitely challenges along the way. It could be anything from system errors to clients that ghost you or keep saying, “next week.” Below are some tips to help you get paid for all of your hard work:
Setup Payment in Advance
Before you even start looking for work, you need to set everything up. And yes, this includes the payment methods you will use and discuss with your clients.
– Payment Method
Sometimes, the best way to get paid for freelance work is to have multiple payment methods. But if you are just starting out, it’s best to stick to just one. A safe bet would be PayPal but make sure to read the fine print—understand transaction fees, conversion fees, etc.
– Client
Before you start working with a client, you have to lay out everything with them. Aside from agreeing on your responsibilities and deadlines, discuss payment methods, too. This may be hard for some people, especially for freelancers who are just starting out. But this is the best way to get paid for your freelance work.
If you don’t discuss it early on, you might have worked for nothing. You need to be clear about your fees and of course, the payment options that you can offer. Don’t forget that clients should also have a deadline when it comes to settling payments.
Create Invoices
It can be awkward to send a message to a client to “please pay up.” Not to worry, you can simply send them an invoice. How to create invoices is not such a hard task, as long as you know what to include. These invoices can also serve as a reminder for your client to pay as they should include the due date of their payment.
Be consistent with your invoices and always send them on time. This is a good practice for freelancers so when you are already juggling multiple clients and projects, you’ll have invoices to keep track of payments.
Use a Freelancer Software
Okay, so you can’t keep track of your payment methods, your clients, and your projects. It’s okay, freelancers do get overwhelmed, especially when work is piling up. So, how do they still manage to get paid? It’s a good thing Kosmo is around. This freelancing software is a tool that you can use to automate your freelancer business.
It comes with an invoicing tool so you’ll have no trouble creating one. It can then send the invoice to your client. More importantly, you can link payment methods, like Stripe with Kosmo. When you send an invoice it can automatically indicate your PayPal account so it is easier for your client to pay you, too.
Conclusion
Freelancing really is a whole other world, especially if you have come from the corporate world. You have to learn things on your own, including the best way to get paid as a freelancer. Choosing a payment method should be something that is convenient for you. You should also pick one that makes sense to you, if it’s too complicated you can either learn it or choose something else easier to understand.
Finally, the best way to get paid for freelance work is to get a payment method where you can get the most out of your hard-earned money. This can be dependent on the number of clients who use it to the amount of money you get after fees—you really have to do the math, so you’ll know if you are breaking even or if you need to charge more.
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