@xyb -
Devon is right – you need to put your foot down and say “Listen, I’m not sure if you saw my last invoice, but here’s another one, and it needs to be paid within 2 weeks.” Don’t let the person make it sticky for you – put your foot down and demand what’s fairly yours.

But don’t be rude about it – find out what’s going on. Maybe they are having some financial trouble and just afraid of talking to you … if so, come to some terms you can both live with (installments for example).

And in the future … 50% up front. Always.

@Devon –
Thanks for fielding xyb’s question.

Cross-pollination in your situation usually involves finding a common theme that all your genres can touch on … something that might be off topic but still of interest to multiple parties.

Can you be a little more specific about what audiences you’re serving and your specific goals for what “effective” means? Are you trying to get subscribers? Promotion? Sales?

Once readers find me, they tend to be loyal and jump with me from genre to genre. But there’s got to be a more efficient way to network over a broader range.

I am vehemently opposed to “niche” for myself — I have no right to make those decisions for anyone else — one of the reasons I’m a freelancer is that I like a wide variety of opportunities. Also, when I’m marketed TO in a niche way, it turns me off as a potential customer.

If I might comment on xyb’s comment above . . .when I work for someone I know personally, I still have a contract in place which decrees 50% up front and a late fee if the final payment is not made on time. And then, if the invoice is ignored, I send it with a late fee. Knowing someone personally does not preclude being treated in a professional and respectful manner, as far as I’m concerned.

Devon Ellington’s last blog post..Tuesday, August 26, 2008

But, your question was, “what do you want?” I want to get paid!

Amy’s last blog post..Counting Sheep (Or, Sleepy Chick Joins Twitter)

Networking is what you’re saying you want to do, but what’s your end goal? Who is your audience? That shapes your networking strategy.

I’m interested in interaction, discussion, etc. Yet, because I juggle a variety of fiction and non-fiction projects all the time, I find that in order to keep the writing a priority (because if it’s not written, it can’t sell), I’m limited in the one-on-one time I can spend on individual sites. I think invidual attention is important in building online relationships, but I want to find a more efficient way so to do.

Devon Ellington’s last blog post..Thursday, August 21, 2008

My first question would be have you done searches for other similarly themed blogs/websites? Commenting and guest posting on those blogs would be a huge way to network with their communities.

I want a link building and networking strategy for a niche that is limited in size and scope, but at the same time is so narrowly focused that slightly off-topic but loosely related networking efforts are completely ineffectual.

You seem like a ninja marketer, Dave, so bust me out a plan, man!

Watcha think ’bout dat?

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