If I could say 1 thing to startups

Get the money up front

How do I do that?

Sure, it’s Easier in some

industries than others…

But make it your priority.

You’ll thank me.

Um, thanks for giving me another problem?

Here’s some ideas:

1. Copy the industries where it’s a given.

Ever paid for a flight after you got home?

2. A similar idea - move as many of your sales on line

as you can.

3. Is there any escrow or trust

account system you can use?

In our industry, we send an

invoice when the work is done.

They’ve been doing that since the days of

horse and cart?

Maybe time to update?

Which brings me to point 4.

You’re in the 21st Century, do business like

you are in the 21st Century.

Point 4.

Ask for payment before you ship, or before you do the

work.

5. But if you MUST invoice after the job, how prompt is your

invoicing?

I’m doing okay. I have a lot of work. I get

around to the invoices when I

can.

No, no. no, no, no.

There’s ways to invoice from your

phone or computer as you finish the job.

6. Did you know the later an invoice arrives, the less likely it is to be

paid?

And the more likely I am to lose the paperwork for materials

used, but I’m not telling you that.

Point 7 is energy.

The customer has energy for paying at

the time of purchase.

Later, not so much.

To be honest, that’s when I

have the energy for invoicing.

Which leads me to 8. Attitude.

Your attitude.

Me? My attitude?

Yup, you.

If you think you won’t be paid, you

develop resentment, and it shows.

I thought I was doing such a good job of hiding it.

Do a good job of doing your job,

and let people pay you what you are

worth.

Takes us straight to Point 9

Don't undervalue your work.

It’s very valuable, so get paid for it.

If I could say one thing to people starting up…

Get paid for all your work.

MONEY UP FRONT points again:

1. Copy those who do it well. 2. Sell on line.

3. Use Escrow if you can. 4. Operate like your in C21.

5. Invoice at time of the transaction (at the latest).

MONEY UP FRONT points again:

6. Remember late invoicing is asking for trouble. 7. Get paid when the energy for payment is

flowing. 8. Don’t work with won’t-get-paid resentment.

9. Value your work.

But that’s just the experience of

old timer.

What wisdom do you have for people starting up?

Comment with your

thing.

Share it to help starter-uppers

(and maybe some oldies too).

www.DoodleVideosMadeForYou.com