When I first went self-employed, I was fuelled by optimism, ambition — and a solid belief that if you do good work, people will pay you.
But I quickly learned that getting paid isn’t always that simple.
In one of my earliest contracts, I had a verbal agreement with a client (a family friend, no less). I’d build their online presence and only invoice once they started getting their first few customers. Within the first week, they had three. Then they ghosted me. No response to messages. No thanks. No payment. Just silence.
And just like that, the trust was broken — not only in that project, but in my whole belief that decency was enough to run a business on. Eventually, I closed that business down. It wasn’t the only unpaid invoice I faced, but it was the one that made it clear: being self-employed doesn’t mean you should accept being messed around.
You’re Not Just Chasing Payment — You’re Protecting Your Business
If you’re self-employed or a small business owner, chances are you’ve been in a similar spot. Maybe you’ve told yourself:
- “They’re probably just busy”
- “I don’t want to seem pushy”
- “I’ll give them a few more days”
But here’s the truth: you did the work. You delivered the service. You deserve to be paid — and on time.
Late payments aren’t just an inconvenience. They can derail your cash flow, eat up your time, and drain your motivation. And if you’re not careful, they can become the difference between growing your business and giving it up altogether.
So What Can You Do?
If you’re owed more than £500, it’s time to explore proper recovery — not just polite reminders. At Collect Compare, we help freelancers and business owners find the right debt recovery agency to take things forward.
- It’s free to compare
- You choose the agency you want to work with
- One simple form to get matched with the most suitable provider
If the invoice is under £500, you still have options. In many cases, asking a solicitor to send a Letter Before Action (LBA) can be enough to prompt payment — especially if the debtor thinks you’re not going to pursue it.
We’re working on partnerships with legal providers who can support exactly this, so watch this space. In the meantime, if you’re in this situation and unsure where to turn, drop us a message — we’ll try to point you in the right direction.
You have enough to worry about
Being self-employed comes with freedom — but it shouldn’t come with the burden of unpaid work.
Don’t let one late payment spiral into a bigger problem. Take action early. Know your worth. And get help from people who specialise in recovering what's yours.
