aquariancore

Start off with clients in your area. So if there is a problem you can get some face time. Have a payment schedule and require a deposit.

trick-r-treat

There are people out there who will "stiff" you. I would research the companies before I worked for them. And also, start out small. Don't jump in whole hog until you are sure!

kelkat

The starting off small is a great suggestion. Build relationships, and they will help you confirm who to work with and who to stay away from!

Places like this forum are a great place to get that information as well.

arppt01

As a freelancer it is always better to do it in small packets (as we say in network terminology), which means to do jobs in smaller blocks. But I feel there is no sure success way regarding online jobs.

aquariancore

Freelancing on the net is a risk. CraigList post a disclaimer notice which suggest you freelance with someone from your area. Otherwise there is no real recourse.

arppt01

There is no doubt that Freelancing has it's risk. We don't have to find someone who has lost money doing Freelancing, it's actually not very difficult to find them.

wawamama

I always use a contract and get a percentage of my fee upfront with a new client. The only ones that have ever complained were ones I had a feeling were flaky anyway and I'd rather find that out before I do work and end up not getting paid. Any client who is going to treat you professionally (and pay you appropriately) won't have a problem with you treating it as a business arrangement and using a contract.

Rohitpatel

Well I always work for those who can pay me regular and I can trust on them. I always made pre-made Service Agreement so we can ensure about our payments.

4silverstrea

It always astounds me that people have the nerve to get a freelancer to do so much hard work, and the job is done well to the client’s satisfaction ..but they don’t pay, or pay on time, or ignore you! I live by and do business with this saying in mind by the great French philosopher Albert Camus..that is..“integrity has no need of rules.” If people did business like with this concept at the fundamental core of their business dealings, there would be no need for contracts!

Calypso

I've been a freelance writer for over five years, and I've only been "stiffed" once (for less than $15, thank goodness!). Although I have had to get fairly assertive/aggressive about collecting money I'm owed. One thing I've learned is that if you work for a "brick and mortar" company, it's much easier to get paid than if you work for an online entity. Face it, all the online folks have to do is shut down their website and/or change their email and you've lost them!