Deferred Billing

[resultsassoc]

I have often offered deferred billing to clients whose cash flow would be devastated by paying for work as it was done, but who needed the results of my work. Not everyone got the offer, and I didn't offer it if it would put me in a negative cash flow situation. I'm working with small businesses on sorting out two-, three- and four-way barter swaps that need little cash to grease the wheels. Something that cash-strapped buyers need is deferred billing. I'm not aware of whether Upwork facilities or allows that.

It's not rocket science, and whenever I use it I keep the client informed of current balance, and commit to billing not more than $XXX per week. For startups in particular, it works well and is sometimes the only way the buyer can afford to work.

Freelancers would need to bear the financial risk, and clients the operational risk. If this is the only way a client and freelancer can make a deal work, Upwork's risk is limited to delaying some revenue it otherwise would not receive.

Thoughts?

[versailles]

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Bill H wrote:

Thoughts?

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Don't try this at home.