GUIDE · TERMS

Write Net 14. Put a calendar date on the PDF.

“Due upon receipt” is how invoices get forgotten. A date is how they get paid. These are sample business terms, not legal advice.

1. Due date is a date, not a vibe. Net 14 or Net 7. Write the calendar date on the invoice.
2. Work pauses when the invoice is 14 days late. Say this before you start.
3. Deposits for new clients. 50% up front until you have been paid on time twice.
4. Send the invoice the day you deliver. Waiting a week trains the client to wait.
5. Follow up the day after it is due. Most late invoices are forgotten, not refused.
6. Ask for a specific payment date on day 7. “Soon” is not a date.
7. One accounts-payable contact. If your day-to-day contact does not pay bills, get the AP email.
8. Put the payment link on every reminder. Do not make them hunt.
9. Keep the paper trail: invoice PDF, delivery email, every reminder in one folder.
10. Do not apologize for asking to be paid. You already did the work.