Client hasn't paid?

[momonduty]

Hi WAHMs! I came across this forum while I was browsing the internet for tips on how to get clients to pay.

I have been working as a freelance writer via oDesk since 2009 and have always been paid on time. Two months ago, though, a friend of mine recommended me to her friend in Singapore. Her friend wants a site set up for her business and needed someone to create content for the site. Since the business owner is a friend of a friend and because she sounds nice, I accepted the job.

I initially wanted to charge her on per article basis -- but she asked me if I she can pay me per month because she has other writing work for me (i.e. brochure content, descriptions for their menu, etc.). I knew I'm on the losing end, but since she's a friend's friend, I said yes (now I feel like fool for saying yes *sigh*).

It's been two months. I already turned over the content for their website, heck they even asked me to do photography + photo editing work (w/o extra pay it seems), but I still haven't received their payment. This is my first time working outside oDesk so I have no idea how to handle this kind of client. Any tips?

I don't want to sound rude when I talk to her, but I do want to get their payment already because I sacrificed (a lot of) hours on oDesk so I can finish work for her.

[maryalene]

Have you just been sending emails asking for payment? If so, I would send an invoice through PayPal. Then, if she still doesn't pay after a week, I would get my friend involved and ask if she could help.

Sorry you are dealing with a non-paying client.