Freelance Writer and Social Worker

Oxbridge Media Project - Deadbeat or Just Disorganized?

This is the kind of column I never like to write, but if I've been taken advantage of by a company, I imagine other writers have been, too.

In this case, the company in question is Oxbridge Media Project. They contacted me on July 16, after I had responded to an ad they were running for writers, and said that they liked my style. They invited me to pitch three article ideas. I pitched the three ideas, and all of the ideas were accepted. I submitted the articles on July 28, and on August 3, I received an email from the editor telling me that the three articles had been accepted for publication and that I could expect to hear from the accounting department soon.

On August 14, the accounting department got in touch with me and asked me to electronically sign a contributor's agreement. I did so and returned it the same day. Since then, I have heard nothing from anyone at Oxbridge regarding payment for my articles.

I have written to the accounting department three times and to the editor twice. I have asked them if they could let me know when to expect payment, and I even offered to accept a payment plan or reduced payment if the company was in financial difficulty.

As of today, I still have not been paid for the articles, and all of my emails have gone unanswered.

I'm hoping the company is simply disorganized and not a deadbeat or a scam, but at this point my hopes are not high. A word to the wise: If you are approached by Oxbridge Media Project, run in the other direction - fast.

What to Do When a Client Doesn't Pay

I know the freelance industry standard is to collect 1/3 to 1/2 of the cost of a project upfront. I also know that many of my clients are beginning writers or students, so I don't do that.

My rates are reasonable, in fact a bit on the low side, and I'm comfortable trusting clients to pay me when a job is complete. Only rarely has that mentality gotten me into trouble. My terms are "Net 15," but my invoices usually come winging back with checks attached in a matter of days.

What's Your Least Favorite Part of Freelance Writing?

Freelancing encompasses so many different tasks. We market our services, communicate with leads and potential customers, organize projects, perform writing and editing, wrap the project up and deliver it, bill in a timely manner, and follow up to make sure we get paid.

I have several strengths among these tasks. I love organizing and scheduling projects, usually bringing them in under deadline. I also enjoy the actual creative process. If I have a gift, that gift is the ability to manipulate words so that they sound pleasant together and convey meaning to the reader.