Why You’re Still Chasing Payments: The Simple Fix You’re Ignoring

Shocking Truth: Service Providers Are Leaving Money on the Table

Let’s be real for a second. If you’re a service provider (yes, that includes freelancers or consultants) and you’re not getting paid on time — or worse, at all — then you’re part of a massive, ongoing problem. It’s time to stop sugarcoating it: you’re not in business to give away freebies. You’ve got bills to pay, mouths to feed (maybe even your own), and dreams to chase. Yet here you are, chasing down clients who owe you money, when you should be focusing on what you do best — your work.

Here’s the hard truth: If you’re relying on the honor system to get paid, you’re doing it wrong. Sure, most clients are decent human beings, but when deadlines and dollars clash, suddenly that invoice becomes invisible. Let’s change that — today.

Lock Your Work Until They Pay — Literally

Let’s start with a solution that’s as simple as it is effective: Bonsai’s “Locking Attachments Until Payment is Made” feature. If you’re tired of begging clients to pay you, this is your new best friend. Think of it as holding the keys to the castle — clients get a preview of your hard work, but the full treasure chest only opens once their payment clears. No payment, no full deliverable. It’s that simple.

Why This Works: It creates a natural incentive for clients to pay up quickly. They need the work you’ve done, and now they have a solid reason to settle that invoice ASAP. Plus, you’re not just protecting your work; you’re reinforcing your value. If they want your quality output, they’ve got to pay for it — end of story.

Ready to make the switch? Check out Bonsai’s locking feature here.

Stop Being the Payment Police: Automate Reminders

You’re not a collection agency. Constantly reminding clients to pay you isn’t just annoying; it’s beneath your pay grade. This is where Bonsai’s Automated Payment Reminders come in. Set it up once, and Bonsai will politely nudge your clients for you. No more awkward emails or texts asking, “Did you get my invoice?”

Why This Works: Automated reminders keep you top of mind without lifting a finger. Your clients get nudged without you having to waste your energy, leaving you free to do what you actually love.

Discover how easy it is to automate payment reminders with Bonsai.

Make Late Payments Costly: Enforce Late Fees

Late payments are a service provider’s nightmare. It’s time to add a deterrent. With Bonsai’s Late Fees feature, you can automatically tack on additional charges for overdue invoices. Suddenly, paying late isn’t just inconvenient for them — it’s expensive.

Why This Works: Late fees introduce consequences. Clients who might otherwise drag their feet are more likely to prioritize your invoice when they know it’ll cost them more the longer they wait. It’s a subtle yet effective way to command respect for your time and effort.

See how Bonsai makes late payments a thing of the past.

Stay in the Loop: Know When They’ve Seen Your Invoice

Ever sent an invoice and heard nothing but crickets? The waiting game is brutal. But with Bonsai’s Seen Receipts, you can know exactly when your client has opened your invoice. No more wondering if it got lost in their inbox.

Why This Works: Knowledge is power. By knowing your client has seen the invoice, you can follow up with confidence. If they’ve opened it and still haven’t paid, that’s a clear signal to get on their case — no excuses.

Track your invoices and gain peace of mind with Bonsai.

The Hard Lesson: A Personal Story

I’ve been guilty of it too. Don’t get me wrong, we’re all figuring these things out. I remember having an outstanding invoice with a client for $10k. No matter how nice, patient, or respectful I was while trying to collect those funds, it was as if we had never met. I finally emailed out of concern and worry, like hey, are you okay? Are you still alive? What happened?

The reply was a long-winded story and a confession: they never had the funds when we started and felt bad because they thought they would fall into some extra money. Let me tell you, the frustration was real. I’d poured my time and energy into that project, only to end up feeling like I’d been working for free.

That’s why I can’t stress enough how important it is to protect yourself and your work. Learn from my mistake and stop leaving your income up to chance.

Why I Made the Switch — and Why You Should Too

It was that experience that made me switch from QuickBooks Online to Bonsai. The workflow was so much easier, and the tools are built specifically for service providers like us. I liked it so much I became an affiliate so I could brag about this fix and help others stop leaving money on the table.

So guess what? I’m giving you access to my affiliate link, and I truly hope this change in your business is exactly what you need. Don’t just take my word for it — try it out for yourself and see the difference.

Time to Take Control

You didn’t start offering your services to end up chasing payments like a bill collector. You’re here to do great work and get paid what you’re worth. Incorporating Bonsai’s powerful features into your process will make a world of difference in how you manage your cash flow and protect your income.

So, here’s the wake-up call: Stop working for free. Start locking down those payments. Because the only person who should be chasing anything is your client — chasing after you to get their hands on your brilliant work.

Ready to take the reins? Explore Bonsai and start turning those invoices into cash, not just hope. The tools are right in front of you — now it’s up to you to use them.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I use and love.