talkmagic.co.uk

Firm rather than nasty. Get the name of the person responsible for signing and posting cheques and insist on talking to them. Point out when the work was done and that it's now several weeks overdue for payment. On that basis you need to receive payment in full within the next 5 working days.

Don't threaten legal action or get nasty, they have your money and can delay payment for several months if they use all the excuses! Be firm, be polite, don't take no for an answer and don't be fobbed off with 'someone's assistant unless that's the person who can get payment out pronto. If they promise a call back, make sure they understand it has to be by a certain time as you're going out (any excuse will do!) and if they don't call by that time, give them 5 minutes and call them to carry the process on. Assuming it all works out, make sure you don't do any work for them again unless payment terms are thoroughly established in advance and they give you a decent chunk of the money up front as a booking deposit - 25% of the total at least. Best of luck!

Also, the NUJ advises freelancers to send a statement of account.

It looks just like an invoice, but has the words STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT on it. Date it, show the due date on the overdue item and place a statement on the bottom to the effect that PAYMENT WITHIN 7 DAYS WILL PREVENT LEGAL ACTION.

Nice idea seige - although i did the gig in bristol where i study. Bit of a treck from my home town in Essex (about 3 hours drive) and i dont go back until october. Will be useful on gigs i undertake there in the future though.