Q: I submitted my invoice to my middleman, waited 30 days, then re-sent it with a polite question about when I might expect payment. The reply I received said, “When our customers pay, we pay our vendors. It is nearing net 30 for the customer, so we are getting close to paying you.” This is different from what I was figuring, but I’m still learning the biz. I’d appreciate your input as a more seasoned freelance professional.
A: Unfortunately, it sometimes goes that way. It’s a BIG complaint amongst copywriters, who generally feel that we should be paid when we’re finished, NOT when the designer gets paid, but many play that game, and they often ARE wrestling with cash flow issues as we are. Just the nature of the beast. So, yes, it’s not at all uncommon. And if you can get paid in 30-45 days, that’s not bad either.