36%
of freelancer time lost to non-billable admin
24/7
follows up while you're doing the actual work
$0
when idle — pay-as-you-go
The admin that eats your billable hours
Freelancing means you're the entire company. You do the work, write the invoices, chase the payments, schedule the calls, send the follow-ups, and keep every client updated — all while trying to actually deliver.
A 2024 Freelancers Union study found that freelancers spend an average of 36% of their working time on non-billable tasks. The follow-up problem is where the real money leaks. A proposal goes quiet. You're deep in a project. Three weeks pass. By the time you resurface, the client moved on. Not because the work wasn't good — because no one was watching the clock.
Deputy watches the clock. You text it what to track, and it handles the rest — no app to check, no reminder to set a reminder.
How it works
Text Deputy what you need done
"Chase Acme on Friday about the unpaid invoice. If they don't reply by Monday, follow up again." That's the whole setup — no forms, no workflows.
Deputy executes on schedule
Deputy sends the message at the right time — email, text, or calendar invite — and tracks whether it got a response.
You get a text when something needs you
Deputy reports back when there's a response, an issue, or a task that needs a human decision. Nothing slips through.
What Deputy handles for freelancers
📄 Invoice follow-up automation
Tell Deputy which invoice is overdue and when to follow up. It sends polite, persistent reminders on your behalf — email or text — until you get paid or tell it to stop. No more letting money sit because the conversation feels awkward.
📅 Scheduling links via SMS
Deputy sends your Calendly or scheduling link to clients, confirms the time, and adds the meeting to your calendar. No more email chains to find a 30-minute window. You focus on the work; Deputy handles the logistics.
📩 Proposal follow-up sequences
Sent a proposal and heard nothing? Deputy follows up at Day 3, Day 7, and Day 14 — with the right tone each time. Proposals don't go cold when Deputy's watching them.
📋 Monday client briefings
Every Monday morning, Deputy texts you a status summary for each active client — what's due, what's waiting on them, what needs a nudge. Set it once, runs every week. Start Mondays with clarity instead of chaos.
Without Deputy vs. with Deputy
| Situation | Without Deputy | With Deputy |
|---|---|---|
| Overdue invoice | You remember (or don't) to follow up | Deputy follows up on schedule, automatically |
| Client scheduling | 3–5 email exchanges to find a time | Deputy sends your link and confirms it |
| Proposal goes quiet | Deal dies because you got busy | Deputy runs a 3-touch follow-up sequence |
| Weekly client status | Mental overhead every Monday morning | Text briefing delivered automatically |
| Cost | Your time, permanently | Pay-as-you-go · free to start |
"I was spending at least 3 hours a week chasing invoices and scheduling calls. Deputy just handles it now. I got paid two weeks faster last month because it followed up when I would have let it slide."
Maya R.
Independent brand designer, 8 active clients
Stop losing billable hours to admin you can automate.
No subscription. No app. Just text. Pay only when Deputy works for you.
Get Started Free →"Someone that wants time back or an always-on personal assistant/sidekick. Usually someone that's either just lazy enough to want to do the right thing once, or a tireless self-improver and optimizer."
Louis Amira
Founder & CEO, Deputy / Circuit & Chisel
FAQ
How does Deputy help freelancers chase invoices?
You tell Deputy which client owes you money and when to follow up. Deputy sends a polite follow-up email or text on your behalf at the right time — and keeps escalating on schedule until you get paid or tell it to stop.
Can Deputy schedule client calls for me?
Yes. Text Deputy a scheduling link or your availability and it will send it to clients, confirm the time, and add the meeting to your calendar — all without you opening a single app.
What does Deputy cost for freelancers?
Deputy is pay-as-you-go — you pay only when Deputy does work for you. Most freelancers spend a few dollars a month. There's no subscription and no minimum spend. Start free and only pay when you get value.
Does Deputy work for all types of freelancers?
Yes — writers, designers, developers, consultants, photographers, and any independent professional who manages clients. If you send invoices, write proposals, and schedule calls, Deputy can help.
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