When Clients Ghost: How Freelancers Can Protect Themselves and Get Paid
I get a steady stream of calls from freelancers, consultants, and creators asking the same painful question:
“What can I do if a client ghosted me after I delivered the work?”
It’s not just you, this issue is growing. As the gig economy expands and more professionals operate independently, late or missing payments are becoming a frustratingly common problem. Even well-intentioned clients can fall behind. Others? They disappear completely.
And it’s not just annoying, it’s your livelihood.
So let’s walk through what you can do to protect yourself before the project even starts, and what steps to take when the awkward, unpaid aftermath hits.
🔐 How to Protect Yourself from the Start
Whether you’re doing a one-off logo design or managing a months-long strategy engagement, upfront clarity is your best defense. Here’s how:
1. Always Get It in Writing
While I would highly recommend putting a signed contract with a detailed SOW in place, if you don’t have one for whatever reason, an email confirming: the scope, deliverables, timeline, and payment terms can go a long way in protecting your rights.
2. Ask for Partial Payment Upfront
I typically recommend:
30–50% upfront before any work begins
The remainder upon final delivery or milestone completion
Bonus: For larger projects, break work into phases with payment checkpoints tied to each stage.
3. Don’t Send Final Deliverables Until Paid
This is key. I’ve seen clients, even at larger organizations that seem reliable or trustworthy, delay payment for months for a variety of reasons. This is especially true once the freelancer has already delivered everything. In many instances, it is a cash conservation directive combined with your non-executive contact at the company lacking the chutzpah to devote time, energy or internal goodwill or juice to get you paid. Unfortunate, but it’s true.
Bottom line, your work is your leverage. So instead of sending it directly, try:
Sending previews, screenshots, or watermarked files
Offer “review only” access
Once payment hits, deliver the full final version
Remember: It’s not about distrust, it’s about creating a professional boundary.
👻 What to Do When You’ve Been Ghosted
Despite your best efforts, things can still go sideways. If you’ve delivered the work (because in so many instances you have no choice) and heard nothing back, here are some examples to slowly escalate the situation via email or text:
📧 Step 1: Initial Nudge (Polite but Direct)
Subject: Quick Check-In
“Hi [Client], just following up to confirm you have everything you need to process the payment for [X], as payment was due [date]. Please let me know when I should expect it, so I can be on the lookout.”
Give them 3–5 business days to respond.
📧 Step 2: Polite Pressure (if possible include a senior team member(s) on the cc line)
Subject: Following Up – Outstanding Invoice for [Your Co./Name]
“Hi [Client], I wanted to follow up on the below request as I still haven’t received payment and wanted to make sure it was still on your radar. Please advise as to the reason for the delay and if you would like me to follow up directly with your internal accounting team, I would be happy to do so. I appreciate your attention to this matter and I look forward to resolving this by [new date].”
Still nothing?
📧 Step 3: Final Demand
Subject: [Your Co./Name] Payment Overdue – Final Notice
“Hi [Client], I’ve reached out several times with no response. While it is not my preference, if payment is not received by [X date], I’ll be forced to explore alternative options, including, but not limited to legal action. Please let me know if we can resolve this directly.”
Keep your tone professional, but firm. You’re running a business, not providing free favors.
⚖️ If That Still Doesn’t Work…
Don’t let shame or frustration stop you from pursuing what’s owed to you. You have options:
Collections Agency: Many work on contingency—if they collect, they take a cut ~20-40%.
Small Claims Court: Quick, affordable, and often very freelancer-friendly. No lawyer required in most jurisdictions, but it is always good to consult with one prior to filing.
Legal Letter: A formal payment demand on letterhead often does the trick. It's amazing how quickly people respond once the tone shifts.
✍️ Final Thought: Normalize Boundaries
Getting paid for your work shouldn’t be a source of anxiety, but in the freelance world, it often is.
We need to normalize:
Asking for upfront deposits
Using clear contracts
Protecting your IP and deliverables
Holding clients accountable
You don’t need to be aggressive, just clear and professional. And if you ever need a second opinion or someone to help you think through it? You know where to find your lawyer friend.
Like this?
I share more actionable legal and strategy insights for freelancers, consultants, and operators navigating today’s complex work landscape at bradfordtobin.substack.com.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and reflects the personal views of the author. It is not intended as legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and should not be relied on as a substitute for consultation with qualified legal counsel. The content may be considered attorney advertising in some jurisdictions, including New York and Connecticut.