Getting hired on freelance platforms can feel like living in a fancy hotel. The experience comes with a hefty price tag.
Back when I was freelancing, the fees were less exorbitant. But even then, billing clients directly seemed like a sweet deal.
So when I received a direct-client referral, I didn't invite them to the Upwork hotel. I stuck to my own cozy bed and breakfast.
Then one day, that client took the fluffy robe and skipped town without paying me.
It was a bitter realization that the platform fee I had scoffed at would have guaranteed my payment and given me the assurance I needed. It's better to absorb the cost than to return home empty-handed.
đź’¸Priceless advice
Don’t miss Mike Monteiro’s wisdom on dealing with clients who refuse to pay up.
About Susan Rov
Susan traded cocktails and lattes for words that move. As a copywriter on a mission to end boring, she brightens brands and makes an impact. Number 463 on the list of fiction readers left standing, you'll find Susan at sunrise—running, writing, and wondering how to change the world next. That drive led her to become a founding team member of BRIL.LA.