One of the most horrible things that can happen to you in your VA business is having to wait for someone to pay you.

There really is no good way to describe it. Hope you don’t mind!

It causes you stress, worry, anger, discomfort, and a host of other emotions.

It may even embarrass you. How could you let it happen? Especially if the client hasn’t paid you for a few months and you’re still doing your job.

Let me tell you something, many of us have been there.

I know I have.

I have looked for money and kept working as the balance owed increased. Yuck. What an awful feeling.

So what do you do about it?

You have to stop it.

It is as simple (and very complicated) as that.

When you allow a client to delay paying for work already done, you are teaching them that it is okay to treat them this way.

When you continue to perform tasks for them even though they haven’t paid you in the past month, you’re telling them it’s okay to do so.

Although in your heart and in your head you know that it is NOT.

So sadly, you have to stop it. Like now.

If a customer owes you money, stop working for them until the outstanding balance is paid. Tell them no more work until they pay you.

If a customer consistently pays you late every month, then you need to find a way to talk to him so that he will pay you on time, when you expect it (what are your payment terms? Mine are ‘on receipt’, not! days after!)

Doing this requires a phone call with the customer. A simple payment reminder can be sent via email, but when it happens, it’s time to make a phone call.

Set a time to call them (or just call them if it’s easier for you) and inform them of your conditions.

If you explain that you don’t have the money, stop working immediately. You are not in business to finance your business.

Also consider having your clients pay upfront to work with you (up front, or just a block of hours which they then use as needed, whatever works for you).

Even McDonald’s makes you pay for your Big Mac before it is delivered. This is not a foreign business concept.

To run a successful business, you have to act like the CEO, and that means making your clients abide by the terms of their agreements. Pay for work. That is the deal.

So … take a deep breath and make the decision now to put your business first. Contact the customer and get your money.

And then KEEP those limits for every new customer you bring in (as well as existing ones) … and you’ll be a much happier (and richer!) Business owner.