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What If a Client Doesn’t Pay?

Today’s question is:

Amy and Kirsty,

I wrapped up a project for a client eight weeks ago, and I’m still waiting on the final payment. It was for a relatively large business, so my contact keeps blaming payroll. But every time I chase them up, I get a “Next week, we promise!” response that never comes to fruition.

How can I resolve this situation now? And how can I stop the same thing from happening in future?

Thanking you,

Out of Pocket and Pissed Off

This week, we have a question about a client who keeps putting off payment. We talk about how to get payment, what kind of language to use, and Amy shares a story that has Kirsty shaking her head in surprise.

In this episode:

  • Some background in collections. 1:30
  • Why a big business might delay payment. 3:10
  • How to communicate within a larger organization. 4:10
  • What to say when asking for money that’s owed to you. 5:45
  • The benefit of being direct. 9:05
  • Setting yourself up for success from the beginning. 10:10
  • A creative way to schedule your final payment. 12:45
  • Is not getting paid a common problem? 17:10
  • Storytime! Amy’s experience with a rough client. 18:10

Click here to download a transcript of this episode.

Where to find Amy:

Where to find Kirsty:

Where to submit your questions (anonymous or not!)

About Business Badassery

Amy’s a conversion copywriter, business coach and serial business owner who’s been reading advice columns since she was nine. With decades of business experience, she’s gotten very good at quickly reading situations and coming up with solutions – especially on the fly. You can find her at amyposner.com

Kirsty’s a launch copywriter and ex-psychotherapist, who’s smack bang in the middle of scaling her business with online courses. She’s good at making sense of human tendencies, selling things with words, and only following the work that feels good. You can find her at kirstyfanton.com

“Amy and Kirsty are wonderful, wise and witty!

I already push myself hard enough so I'm not interested in working with coaches that are going to "crack the whip" and "kick my arse".

Kirsty and Amy both have a gently challenging coaching style. I always left sessions feeling validated, smart and capable but with a clear idea of how to make things even betterer.”

Anna Rogan
Creative Copywriter

“Kirsty seems to have this ability to see things that aren't being said. And then she brings them to light in such a nurturing way. 

Amy is direct AND caring all at the same time. It makes it easier for me to get to the point cause I know you'll get to the point when you ask about the things you need more info on.

Together — I love that neither of them hold back when their opinion/suggestion/perspective differs from the other's. It just makes it all so much more valuable. 

Also, they’re both so genuine, warm, smart and hilarious. Those 'good' traits just compound when you put the two of them together, ya know?”

Miish Grixti
Conversion Copywriter

“All I'd ever heard about Amy was that she's a great coach. Welp, she's a great coach. Knows the right questions to ask to get through the bullshit and get to the root issue.

And my sweet, sweet Kirsty. Using all of her best therapy tricks to keep us moving forward. And making us feel loved :)

Together? Stop. So good. I have never felt so supported. 

I think the value in coaching is having someone hold a bigger vision for you than you can see yourself. So having TWO of you hold that for me was extremely motivating.”

Megan Baird
Email Copywriter