Samuel Murray wrote:
JIAN LIU wrote:
1. Should I talk with client directly about the payment and then figure out a suitable way to do it?
Yes. ProZ.com does not specify, require or recommend any payment method. ProZ.com warns users to watch out for scams, but other than that, you are free to agree any payment method with the client.
2. Should this payment somehow go through ProZ? e.g. should I send invoice from ProZ to this client?
There is a system at ProZ.com whereby you can send invoices, but the payments are not processed through ProZ.com. The invoicing system is simply a system to help organize invoices.
https://www.proz.com/invoice/about 3. What is the normal process regarding to payment? I finish the project->then the client pay me...?
You can agree whatever you want with the client: pay before, pay in chunks, pay afterwards. The most usual process is payment afterwards. So, you complete the job, wait a week for the client to complain about anything, then send the client an invoice, and then check after 2 week, 3 weeks and 4 weeks days if the client had paid (if not, follow up with the client). Some clients pay only after 45, 60 or even 90 days, so make sure about this during the initial discussions with the client.
4. If the client did not pay me after I finish the project, how should I do?
That is the risk of being a freelancer. You should work only for clients that you are certain will pay you. Try to make sure the client is known and can be contacted independently. Try to see if the client has positive ratings on the Blue Board. If a client does not pay, keep reminding them to pay. In the end, if they still do not pay, leave a bad rating on the Blue Board.