Playbook / Lessons / First customers: the offer, the price
Cash-flow businessAlways try to get paid upfront
Dunn's guide to cash flow for freelancers argues that the fix is to get paid faster rather than to cut costs. He recommends taking a deposit when the contract is signed, invoicing often, and asking for payment up front instead of working on credit. He tells of a client who had booked about half of his team and then said he was out of money.
“Always try to get paid upfront.”— Brennan Dunn, The Ultimate Guide To Getting Paid As A Freelancer (2018 Edition), Sep 2014
Do this
Add a deposit due on signing to your next contract this week and send the deposit invoice the day the client signs.