1. Make sure to do business with good paying customers. Google the company, the sales rep, CEO (Linked-In), anything you can find out about them. Make sure at the end of the day you know they can pay their bills.

2. Confirm payment terms and who to talk with in accounting for- payment info, where to mail the invoice, when its due, a simple friendly email, 5-10 days before due. (Relationships are key) Get to know who "signs" or "approve" checks.

3. Follow through near due date for payment; confirm with the accounting/billing- check#, mail out date, and a name.