Client Slow in Supplying Site Content

I'm a freelance web designer and I'm having trouble getting content
from a client. Their ecommerce site was ready to go over 5 months ago.
I've been bugging them ever since for content (text descriptions &
pics), yet I keep getting various excuses from them about not sending
it.

I did not have this client sign a contract (yes, I know that was a BAD
idea) but they did verbally agree to a 50% deposit up front with the
balance due upon the site's completion. I'd like to move forward with
this client but I'm not sure which approach to take to motivate them
further.

Any suggestions?

Thanks...

"UUtopia" <Heyboy.DeleteThis@emailaccount.com> wrote in message
news:1134336887.971751.28880@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
>
> I did not have this client sign a contract

Then you really have no recourse. However, you have learned a good lesson.


> but they did verbally agree to a 50% deposit up front with the
> balance due upon the site's completion.

Never state "upon completion". I learned this lesson years ago, when a
client kept having me do little tweaks here and there...and wouldn't pay
because, technically, the site wasn't done. I dont remember if I ever did
get paid.

Now, my contracts always state that the balance is due within a certain
number of days or weeks...depending on how big the project is. Because of
this, the clients have a huge incentive to make sure they get me the
information I need.

I'd like to move forward with
> this client but I'm not sure which approach to take to motivate them
> further.

Ring them up and tell them that you want to be paid, but because of the
agreement you can't get paid until the site is done...and you can't get the
site done until they get you the information you need. Then tell them
that's not entirely fair. It's really quite obvious and simple.

--Tina