tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956176634474051220.post2710545856051466236..comments2023-08-23T01:12:35.906-07:00Comments on Dollars and Deadlines: A Month of Templates: The "Pay-or-Die" LetterAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518158232642872324noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956176634474051220.post-62878832681872124382012-09-11T13:33:10.458-07:002012-09-11T13:33:10.458-07:00I would use something like "Payment Overdue--...I would use something like "Payment Overdue--Please Respond ASAP" in the subject line. Or, if I was contacting Accounts Payable or someone else per my client or editor, I would put that instead. Hope this helps, Sarah, and let me know what happens! :) Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12518158232642872324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956176634474051220.post-41770952163023393102012-09-11T09:54:33.570-07:002012-09-11T09:54:33.570-07:00Kelly, what do you title your "pay-or-die&quo...Kelly, what do you title your "pay-or-die" emails? I am close to sending one and want to make the subject line an attention-getter.Sarah Protzman Howletthttp://www.sarahhowlett.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956176634474051220.post-29989963278614393662011-01-21T06:38:16.800-08:002011-01-21T06:38:16.800-08:00Anonymous, that's an excellent strategy for wo...Anonymous, that's an excellent strategy for working for corporate clients. When I do bigger projects (e.g. ghostwriting), I always get a retainer up front. However, with magazines you're usually faced with a deadline that precedes payment...and the editor has to formally accept your work *before* you can get paid. So in some situations you may face the prospect of chasing down money. <br /><br />Thanks for weighing in!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12518158232642872324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956176634474051220.post-8567004343323695642011-01-20T20:39:14.409-08:002011-01-20T20:39:14.409-08:00I've learned to advise up front when contract ...I've learned to advise up front when contract is signed that a) I need a 30 day written notice of termination of contract b) I need full payment before handing over work. As consultants we are at a disadvantage when we turn over our hard work, then wait for months to get paid for it. Sometimes people (companies) want to screw you over which is bad business ethics. I have had times to want to throw in the towel, but each situation offers an opportunity for growth and "lesson learned". Your letter is just fine!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956176634474051220.post-2795724043647230942011-01-20T09:18:09.355-08:002011-01-20T09:18:09.355-08:00Hi, Eliana--
You know, I really don't think s...Hi, Eliana--<br /><br />You know, I really don't think so. I think after six months of run-around, I'd be done with the market...if you can't get paid on time (and hopefully well), I wouldn't consider it a "good" market. My $0.02! :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12518158232642872324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956176634474051220.post-82773810954994131712011-01-19T20:35:22.255-08:002011-01-19T20:35:22.255-08:00Is there any way to work with a pub again after it...Is there any way to work with a pub again after it gets to this level? I just had an awkward conversation with the payment person after six months of run around. I hate to cut off a good market, but I can't imagine going through this again.eliana23https://www.blogger.com/profile/02127376335232348020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956176634474051220.post-25037815791152995142011-01-19T18:20:33.799-08:002011-01-19T18:20:33.799-08:00Thanks for your comments, Leigh, Susan, and Britta...Thanks for your comments, Leigh, Susan, and Brittany! I agree with Susan's comment about not putting the editor in the middle--it's usually not something he/she has any control over. Like you, I ask politely for the AP person's name/contact info so that I can follow up with him or her and not pester the editor.<br /><br />And I agree that tone is important--you want to be serious but not bitchy, I suppose. Following up (and following up on the follow-ups!) is also essential.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12518158232642872324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956176634474051220.post-14465521325737893812011-01-19T16:46:29.984-08:002011-01-19T16:46:29.984-08:00I had this happen at a progressive magazine that o...I had this happen at a progressive magazine that often publishes stories about worker's rights of all things! Happened to a good friend of mine too who also wrote for them exactly once. Here's what I finally wrote:<br /><br />I have still not received payment for my May 2009 invoice. It is attached for the third and final time. If I do not receive payment within six weeks, I will be forced to turn this over to a collection agency. I respect that it is a difficult time for publications, but it is equally difficult for freelancers right now. As the editor of a magazine that "fight[s] for workers’ rights," I hope you can understand my position.<br /><br />Editor's response was:<br /><br />We will bump you to the front of the line.<br /><br />I did eventually get paid, but why, after six months, was I not already at the front of the supposed line? It also really made me mad because back then, it was a really high per word amount for me to be making (still isn't bad, actually) and among those types of magazines, it's well respected. I did want to have a relationship with them, but I just couldn't after this. Still makes me mad.brittanyhttp://brittanyshoot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956176634474051220.post-29198927535488001202011-01-19T13:46:21.565-08:002011-01-19T13:46:21.565-08:00Thanks for sharing this, Kelly! I've had some ...Thanks for sharing this, Kelly! I've had some really frustrating incidents trying to get paid, and it's hard not to let that frustration seep into the tone of your letter. Though you want to be forceful and firm, I once had a "pay or die" letter backfire on me and the editor issued the equivalent of "you'll never work in this town again!" (Didn't happen, though I agreed it was best that I not write for her again.) <br /><br />One strategy I use before things escalate to this level is to tell the editor, "I know you're busy and I hate to bother you with this, so who should I follow up with in accounts payable?" Otherwise, they often act as gate-keepers and guard firmly accounts payable information.Susan Johnston Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09225671002159447902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7956176634474051220.post-23418040808144259422011-01-19T11:47:55.114-08:002011-01-19T11:47:55.114-08:00Ugh. Payment issues. I think it's the most b...Ugh. Payment issues. I think it's the most baffling part of this business. If you can't get away with it at the grocery store, or when the carpet cleaner visits, or when you go shopping at the mall, then why can publications pay freelancers months upon months after they've worked for them?<br /><br />Sorry for the ramble.:) I've had to write a few, and it looks like I'm going to have to write another soon. I do as you do: politely remind them about the terms of our contract and firmly ask for my payment.Leigh Hamrickhttp://www.leighhamrick.comnoreply@blogger.com