have a good relationship with your bank, walk in and ask; it’s a common service. For good measure, try to make it at least two payrolls big.
Chin up, sport Sadly, you will have to deal with people paying you late. There are things you can do to minimize that: enough research to know you’re not getting into a bad situation to begin with, solid work, a good relationship with the client, a good contact in accounts payable, and a mutual understanding of what money is due when. Even then, things fall through the cracks and you’ll need to use your knowledge of the situation to track down your payment. Help yourself get paid. I can’t guarantee you’ll never get screwed over again, but I’m pretty sure I can help you cut down on the times it happens. And if you remember nothing else, don’t walk away from money that’s owed you. Go get it. You worked for it, you put in honest labor, and it deserves fair compensation. Get over your awkwardness with money. It’s neither charming, nor “authentic.” You’re a professional designer, and professionals get paid. I can’t guarantee you that these conversations aren’t hard. In fact I can vouch that they are. Being scared is generally a good sign that you’re doing the right thing. I can, however, vouch that the second conversation you have about money will be easier than the first, and the third will be easier than the second, and so forth. Until one day you realize you’re no longer scared to do it and you’re writing a book about it.
G e t t i n g Yo u r M o n e y
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