Q. I’m interested in your thoughts about a billing policy. You do go into some detail in the book (Chapter 10), and in this situation the client represents repeat business. However, I have to wait sometimes as long as two months before I get their “okay” to send them the bill. Right now (Jan 16), I’m waiting for their ok to send the bill for work that was given to them on 12/14. Their position is that they must get feedback from their client first (e.g. the final brochure or sales literature that uses my copy). I’m afraid that without establishing a firm policy on how soon I mail the bill after delivering the work, things could get out of hand. Any advice?
A. If two or three weeks go by and I haven’t heard back, I will bill someone and they always understand that I shouldn’t have to wait because they or their client hasn’t been able to get around to reading it. What they’re essentially saying is that our attachment to our business process trumps our concern for our vendors. Fortunately, this situation doesn’t crop up too much, but I’d definitely come up with a firm policy saying that if X# of weeks go by without feedback on copy submitted, you have the right to bill for all work done up till that time.
It’s bad enough when smaller clients say they’re holding up paying you until THEY get paid by THEIR clients, but at least in that case, there may be a legitimate cash-flow issue. I still think it’s not the writer’s problem, especially if it drags on for 60-90 days, but at least, I understand the rationale. This one? They’re getting away with it because they can.