Maintain Your Own Policies & Utilising SMS for Website Warnings!

It has been over three years now since I started my journey of self-employment. From working full-time and receiving my monthly pay packet – on time, every month – I moved into a world of uncertainty but excitement, with no guarantees of success. Fortunately, I have managed to make my business work, and whilst it is in a relatively healthy position at this point in time, I can’t say it has been without it’s difficulties.

Along the way, I have encountered a number of hurdles, gained invaluable experience, and have learned some incredible life lessons. In this series of articles, I continue to share some tips and general nuggets that I have picked up from this adventure – many of which a budding web developer or sole trader might find handy ahead of taking the leap!

« Points 5 & 6: Payments in Lip Service & Overdue Invoices

7. Maintaining your own Policies

Unfortunately, if you’re a small operation like me, there will be people who look to take advantage of your situation and delay their payments to you. For this reason, you do need to be strict and adhere to your own Terms and Conditions in terms of turning off websites and/or suspending hosting. Naturally, you need to give people a decent amount of time to pay, and also have a period of grace after their payment is due, but if you’re sending out constant reminders which are not being actioned, then you do need to play hard ball a bit.

I’ve had a couple of circumstances where I have sent reminder emails, which were read by the user – but not actioned.

It really is quite a balancing act with trying to keep the friendly “t-shirt and shorts” image to entice a potential client whilst also assuming the “shirt and tie” position for when it comes to getting paid. However, I’ve had a couple of circumstances where I have sent reminder emails, texted, and given as much warning as I possibly can with regards to the suspension of web hosting – of which were read by the user (I can tell when they do and when they don’t) but not actioned.

Typically, as soon their website was suspended, payment was received straight away and I received a “Sam, I have a business to run” text message. There’s no point in me commenting on the irony here.

You really do have to maintain your own policies and stick to them, as by doing so, it will help to  reduce your administration time, enhance your productivity (no spending of several minutes reviewing old emails for “special deals or circumstances), and it will enable you to convey the message that “business is business”.

8. Text reminder system

So your ears may have pricked up at the the “text message” part of the last section – and rightly so. It’s a fantastic way of alerting users that their payment is due, and it is a faultless method of breaking into the daily routine of the clients you’re trying to nudge. You can have it formal, keep it simple, or perhaps adopt a different tone that you wouldn’t necessarily exude over the phone.

I have developed a system which enables you to login and send text messages online. It utilises a great online tool called Nexmo – and send a message from your company name.

The good thing is, you don’t have to do it from your own personal number, as I have developed a system which enables you to login and send text messages online. It utilises a great online tool called Nexmo, where you can pop some credit into your account, and then send a message from your company name.

If you’re a subscriber to my YouTube Channel, I will soon be providing an extensive guide how you can develop this system for your own company. The source code, the design, everything will be provided for free – all you need to do is head over and hit Subscribe to be notified of my updates.

All this talk of money suggests that each and every client I have is a pain when it comes to money – they’re not. Most of them are awesome people to work with and pay on time! I’ve met some ridiculously cool people and kids entrepreneurs like the guys from GoFishEducation, FreedomChildcare, HempJoy – and many more. Each of these people have families and are in a similar position when it comes to knowing how cash flow issues can kill or cure a business.

Points 9 & 10 Communication Is Key & “Training” Your Clients »