Payments & Earnings (Coming Soon)

Payment and earnings management features will help you track income, manage payment methods, and handle invoicing for your collaborations on Flexilocus.

How Payments Work

Payment Flow on Flexilocus

Current State: Payment processing and management features are being developed. Currently, creators and brands may handle payments outside the platform or through direct arrangements.

Future Payment Flow (Planned):

  1. Collaboration Agreement: Terms and pricing agreed upon
  2. Milestone Setting: Payment milestones defined (e.g., 50% upfront, 50% on completion)
  3. Content Delivery: You submit and brand approves content
  4. Invoice Generation: Automatic or manual invoice creation
  5. Payment Processing: Brand processes payment through platform
  6. Escrow (Optional): Funds held in escrow until delivery
  7. Payout: Funds released to your account
  8. Tax Documentation: Records for tax purposes

When You Get Paid

Payment Timing Options (Coming Soon):

  • Upfront: Partial or full payment before starting work
  • Upon Completion: Payment after all deliverables are approved
  • Milestone-Based: Payments at specific project milestones
  • Post-Publishing: Payment after content is published
  • Net-30 / Net-60: Payment 30 or 60 days after invoice

Factors Affecting Payment Timing:

  • Brand's payment terms
  • Collaboration agreement
  • Your negotiated terms
  • Platform processing time
  • Banking transfer time

Payment Methods

Potential Payment Methods (Being Developed):

  • Direct bank transfer / ACH
  • Wire transfer
  • PayPal
  • Stripe
  • International payment options
  • Platform wallet

Payment Preferences:

  • Set your preferred payment method
  • Backup payment methods
  • Currency preferences
  • International transfer options

Invoice Generation

Automated Invoicing (Coming Soon):

  • Platform generates invoices automatically
  • Includes collaboration details
  • Professional formatting
  • Tax information
  • Payment terms
  • Brand and creator information

Manual Invoicing (Current):

  • Create your own invoices
  • Include all necessary details
  • Send to brands directly
  • Track payments manually

Managing Payment Information

Adding Payment Details

Required Information (Varies by Method):

  • Bank account number and routing number
  • PayPal email address
  • Legal name
  • Business name (if applicable)
  • Address
  • Tax identification number

How to Add (Coming Soon):

  1. Navigate to Settings → Payments
  2. Click "Add Payment Method"
  3. Enter required information
  4. Verify account (may require micro-deposits)
  5. Set as primary or backup method

Bank Account Information

Bank Details Needed:

  • Account holder name
  • Bank name
  • Account number
  • Routing number (US) or SWIFT/IBAN (international)
  • Account type (checking/savings)

Security:

  • Information encrypted
  • PCI-compliant storage
  • Not shared with brands
  • Used only for payouts

Tax Information

Tax Documentation (For US Creators):

  • W-9 form for US citizens
  • W-8 form for international creators
  • EIN or SSN required
  • 1099-NEC issued for earnings over $600/year

Tax Responsibilities:

  • You're responsible for reporting income
  • Flexilocus provides documentation
  • Consult tax professional for advice
  • Keep records of all earnings

International Creators:

  • Tax treaty benefits (if applicable)
  • Withholding tax considerations
  • Local tax obligations
  • Currency conversion

Payment History

Payment Records (Coming Soon):

  • All payments received
  • Payment dates
  • Amounts
  • Associated collaborations
  • Payment methods used
  • Download statements

Export Options:

  • PDF statements
  • CSV for accounting software
  • Quarterly summaries
  • Annual tax reports

Payment Best Practices

Setting Fair Rates

Pricing Factors:

  • Your audience size and engagement
  • Platform and content type
  • Production time and costs
  • Usage rights and exclusivity
  • Your experience level
  • Market rates for your niche

Research Market Rates:

  • Industry benchmarks
  • Competitor pricing
  • Platform-specific rates
  • Seasonal variations

Payment Terms in Proposals

Include in Every Proposal:

  • Total compensation
  • Payment breakdown (if milestones)
  • Payment timeline
  • Payment method
  • Late payment terms
  • Additional expenses (if any)

Protecting Yourself:

  • Clear written agreements
  • Payment terms in contract
  • Milestone payments for large projects
  • Deposit for upfront costs
  • Cancellation payment terms

Invoice Management

Professional Invoicing:

  • Unique invoice numbers
  • Clear itemization
  • Professional formatting
  • Brand contact information
  • Payment terms clearly stated
  • Due date highlighted

Invoice Tracking:

  • Sent date
  • Due date
  • Payment received date
  • Outstanding invoices
  • Follow-up schedule

Following Up on Late Payments

Payment Follow-Up Timeline:

  1. Invoice Due Date: Payment due
  2. Day After: Friendly reminder
  3. One Week Late: Follow-up email
  4. Two Weeks Late: Formal notice
  5. 30 Days Late: Escalate or seek mediation

Example Follow-Up Messages:

First Reminder (Friendly):

Hi [Brand],

Just a friendly reminder that invoice #12345 for our [collaboration name]
was due on [date]. Please let me know if you need any additional information
to process the payment!

Thanks,
[Your Name]

Second Follow-Up (Firmer):

Hi [Brand],

I'm following up on invoice #12345 which is now 2 weeks past due. I've attached
the invoice again for your reference. Please advise on the status of this payment
and when I can expect it to be processed.

If there are any issues, please let me know so we can resolve them.

Thank you,
[Your Name]

Platform Fees

Future Fee Structure (To Be Determined):

  • Platform may charge service fees on transactions
  • Transparent fee structure
  • Fees deducted from payments or added to brand's cost
  • Competitive with industry standards

International Payments

For International Creators:

  • Currency conversion considerations
  • International transfer fees
  • Bank requirements
  • Tax withholding (if applicable)
  • Longer processing times

Currency Options:

  • USD (primary)
  • Local currency payouts (if supported)
  • Exchange rate transparency
  • Conversion fee disclosure

Payment Issues & Support

Common Issues:

  • Payment not received
  • Incorrect amount
  • Payment method issues
  • Tax documentation problems
  • Currency conversion disputes

Getting Help:

  • Contact Flexilocus support
  • Provide transaction details
  • Include screenshots if applicable
  • Allow time for resolution
  • Escalate if needed

Next Steps

While payment features are being developed:

  1. Track Earnings Manually: Keep detailed records
  2. Use External Invoicing: Create professional invoices
  3. Direct Payments: Coordinate payments with brands directly (outside platform)
  4. Document Everything: Save all payment records
  5. Stay Informed: Watch for announcements about payment feature launches

Payment and earnings management will make it easier to run your creator business professionally and efficiently!