In Part 1 of 2, we saw how copywriters today can make their hometown a world headquarters with clients not caring if you're based in Vancouver, BC, Canada, like myself, or halfway around the world. Sounds great, but what about when it comes to getting paid? Doesn't all this distance and lack of personal contact spell accounts receivable hell? It doesn't have to, especially when you use the three following techniques.

THREE TECHNIQUES FOR GETTING PAID

Yes, when you're dealing with someone you've never met or spoken to, there's the chance you'll do the work and not see a dime. But there's that chance with any client you hook up with. For myself, I do three things to increase my chances of keeping payments coming into my Vancouver world headquarters.

First, I make sure all feels well. I keep my "gut" on alert when first contact is made with a new client. Checking out the credibility of their website is always a good idea too. I also notice if they include a phone number with their contact information. Even if I never call, at least the option is there.

Second, I require an up-front payment of one third of the project total. How do I get this payment? Simple. I include the following in an email before the job begins:

"A 33% deposit is standard policy for new clients. Secure payments can be made at [payment url]"

And does it work? Does for me.

Third, I make it easy for clients to make those payments. As you may have noticed in the quote above, I created a page on my site where clients can click to pay in U.S. or Canadian dollars. The page simply directs my clients to PayPal where they can enter the dollar amount in question and easily send money my way, whether or not they have a PayPal account.

Between those three things, this whole international portal of business is keeping the cash flowing. But the benefits of having a world headquarters don

IS VANCOUVER YOUR WORLD HEADQUARTERS TOO?

Another great thing about having my world headquarters in Vancouver while tapping into the Internet's international portal of potential clients is that I have less reason to see local copywriters as competition. In fact, I've struck up a great relationship with another copywriter in Vancouver, and she's even sent me work on more than one occasion. I'm sure one day I'll return the favour.

Regardless, there's more than enough work available for both of us, whether we're copywriting for clients in Vancouver, or simply using Vancouver as our copywriting world headquarters.

NOW'S THE TIME TO SET UP YOUR WORLD HEADQUARTERS

So whether you're a copywriter in Vancouver, BC, like myself, or anywhere else in this big world, expand your thinking about your little office until it becomes a world headquarters. And in the process, we just might connect out there somewhere.

I look forward to it.

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