How I Made a Quick $250
February 22, 2011
Contacted by editor of online publication: Would I like $250 to write a personal essay about something I’ve already written about? (Yes.)
March 11, 2011
Submitted piece to editor.
April 7, 2011
Piece published.
Number of inquiries from Mike Dang after publishing of essay and before sending of invoice about status of said invoice: 5 (documented)
December 1, 2011
Sent invoice to editor and billing department.
December 1, 2011
Invoice to editor bounced (“Yeah she got a new job, remember I told you that months ago?” —Mike Dang). Invoice to billing department goes through, presumably.
Number of times I considered following up on invoice: 823
Number of times I actually followed up on invoice: 0
Number of times I spent the $250 in anticipation of check arriving any day: Infinite
Jun 21, 2012
Sent follow-up email to billing department. This time, did not bother cc’ing editor. (Spent some moments trying to figure out who replaced her, but met defeat.)
July 5, 2012
Received email from billing department, asking for confirmation of birthdate.
July 5, 2012
Confirmed birthdate.
July 30, 2012
Receieved check.
July 31, 2012
Spent check, for last time.
August 1, 2012
Deposited check.
FIN (bows, curtseys, available for hire)
I am the worst at invoicing! The local paper I sometimes write for has now just started sending me checks anyway, because I think my lackadaisical attitude stresses THEM out.
I have only made one invoice, but it was pretty glorious. I went and found a template AND EVERYTHING.
this is exactly like me and dental work. which reminds me, i was supposed to schedule a cleaning in june. (but since i’m only 2 months off that, i’ve got at least a year to go before i actually book one)
Man, I invoice immediately. In fact, I just submitted my July 1-31 invoice for a foundation I work for. There is no reason not to be paid what you’re owed!
Man, I thought things were bad for me when I did freelance Web design but it sounds like shit is way worse for writers. I’d usually get my money in a month, tops. You gotta stay on top of people! (This did not stop me from spending checks multiple times before they arrived, or constantly overdrafting my account as incoming payments failed to arrive in time for scheduled bills.)
@stuffisthings I think that shit is bad for anyone who waits eight months before sending an invoice (incl. other companies). And especially bad for those, who wait until the end of the year to send said invoice.
Ugh, invoicing!
The way I have been managing it is to use a time-tracking/invoicing tool. Not 100% designed for me and my special-snowflake needs, but I do love the way it will create the invoice (and the email cover letter, which I always edit), track how long it’s been since I submitted the invoice, and can even automate the “payment overdue” emails now. Plus when I work on longer-term projects, it will create the weekly invoice for me automagically.
If you work on a project basis, or you just want to track how long it takes you to write that feature article, might be worth checking it out. http://try.hrv.st/70v9 (and yes that is a referral link, I’m not proud.)
i approve of your honesty. and your hustle. x
I am also the worst about invoicing. That reminds me, I need to invoice for an article that I submitted in March (2012!) and was published in April. Thanks.