Freelancing can be a great gig – you can write on different topics, use your skills in a variety of ways, and take on as many or as little assignments as you can handle.
You can do it in addition to another job or while you stay at home; freelancing is flexible.
However, with flexibility comes some other issues.
Payment is a big one.
If you are working for different people or companies, payment isn’t always going to be the same.
It is vital that every freelance writer has as many payment options as possible, and one of those should definitely be online payments.
Why should freelance writers accept online payments?
Because so many things, and writing is a big one, are done solely online, payment needs to be accepted online as well.
Gone are the days of freelancers dropping off finished work at an office and receiving a check in hand.
Usually the finished work is sent in electronically, and payment is received that way as well.
It makes it easier to send payment; it’s a few clicks of a keyboard rather than physically putting something in the mail.
With different types of online payment options, security can be maintained as well.
Depending on the regularity of the work you do for someone, you may not want to give out personal information. With some forms of online payment, all they need is a credit card or your email address.
It’s easy and secure.
What kinds of online payment options are there?
You’ve got some different options of accepting online payments; it’s important to know the difference and decide which work best for you.
Credit Cards – To accept credit card payments, you’ll use an online payment processor. Then you can receive payment just as if someone were buying something from you in a regular store. Though there may be a fee involved, you get support and customer service in case a problem arises. Credit cards are also a very reliable method, and most people are willing to pay this way. Processing credit cards is also getting easier and easier with mobile apps and different free options, so credit cards can be accepted anywhere, anytime.
PayPal – A lot of freelancers use PayPal for accepting online payment. It’s fast and easy, and you can accept money from anywhere around the world. With PayPal, you can transfer money to your checking account or simply use it with a debit card or another PayPal transaction. You also only need to share your email account, or whatever PayPal account name you want to use. However, you don’t get the customer service or support of a credit card processor.
Electronic Funds Transfer – With electronic funds transfers, you as the freelancer provide certain details of your bank account and your payment will be processed directly. Some people don’t like sharing the account and routing numbers of their bank accounts, but it’s just the same information printed on your check (you’re giving this out every time you write a check).
As a freelancer, you want to make it easy to accept payment, and by having at least one online option, it is easier.
By using an online payment option, you can work with a variety of clients and not worry how you’ll be paid. You don’t want to decline work because you don’t accept online payment.
Heather Legg is a freelance writer who blogs about small business, healthy lifestyles, and making things easy in life.
"You’re such a smart boy!" were his first accolades heard. So, it’s no wonder that this phrase became the title of his business, Smart Boy Designs.