Getting paid as a freelance creative

Talent gets you the job. Paperwork gets you paid. None of this is exciting, which is exactly why it's worth setting up once and reusing.

Quote the work, not the hours

Before you name a price, get clear on what's being made, how many rounds of changes are included, when it's due and how it'll be used. A logo for a neighborhood bakery and a logo for a national campaign are different jobs, even if they take the same afternoon. Write the scope down and send it with your quote.

Take a deposit

Asking for part of the fee up front is normal, and it filters out clients who aren't serious. Many creatives ask for half before starting and the rest on delivery. For bookings like DJ sets, shoots and events, a deposit holds the date.

Use a simple contract every time

A contract doesn't need to be long. It should say who you are, who the client is, what you're delivering, the price and payment dates, how many revisions are included, what happens if the job is cancelled, and who owns the finished work. Free tools like the Freelancers Union contract creator will get you a solid first draft.

Invoice like a business

Number your invoices, list what was delivered, the amount, the due date and how to pay you. Send it the day you deliver. Follow up politely when it's late, and keep a record of every payment.

Set money aside for taxes

When you work for yourself, nobody withholds taxes from your pay. In the U.S., the IRS says you have to file a return if your net earnings from self-employment were $400 or more, and many freelancers pay estimated taxes each quarter. The IRS has a Form 1040-ES worksheet to help you figure out whether you need to. A simple habit: move a share of every payment into a separate account the day it lands.

This isn't tax or legal advice. A local accountant who works with creatives is worth the fee once your work picks up.

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