Guide
Freelance payment guide
Getting paid is a workflow problem — not just an invoice template. Tie payment readiness to explicit approval under locked terms.
Structure payment by milestone
Split contract value across milestones with clear DoD. Avoid one lump sum at the end with no phase gates.
Payment Release Gate
Invoice or escrow release opens only after Approval Lock on the milestone. This prevents "we never signed off" disputes.
Payment rails
Zlaip connects approval gates to the rail your agreement specifies:
- Stripe or PayPal invoices after approval
- Wise for international transfers
- Escrow partners for high-trust milestones
FAQ
Common questions
- When should I invoice?
- After Approval Lock — not when you hope the client is happy. See invoice after approval guide.
Related
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