Last week, when we posted a video made by freelance writer and FishbowlLA editor Tina Dupuy seeking payment for an opinion piece from The Tampa Tribune, our commenters were unsympathetic of her plight.

“If she made no mention of payment or terms if they ran it then she isn’t covering herself,” said one.

“Boo Hoo, now you know how newspapers and magazines feel,” said another

But every freelancer knows pain of fighting with a delinquent client over payment — whether its for payment of $50 or several hundred. The next time you’re faced with this dilemma, you’re wise to follow Dupuy’s lead and post a YouTube video. As the update above explains, three days after posting her video, Dupuy received an email from Tribune editor Jim Beamguard requesting her social security number so she can be paid.

And, when she tried to hit up the editor of the LA Daily News for some money she is owed, Dupuy learned that videos like hers also give some free (and much needed?) publicity to struggling papers. But hopefully papers won’t be holding on to payments in the hopes of getting some free publicity. That would be very bad news for freelancers.

Earlier: One Freelancer’s Quest For Payment

FishbowlLA editor Tina Dupuy has a very personal story about seeking payment from publications.

Dupuy, a blogger and freelancer, submitted an unsolicited op-ed to the Tampa Tribune. The paper published it, without telling her or working out any terms of payment. When Dupuy learned of the article’s publication, she wrote them an email. She received a response that basically said she was just lucky they published it at all.

In response, Dupuy sent an invoice — for a measly $75 — and created the YouTube video above. We’re awaiting word on whether she receives payment. We’ll keep you posted!

In the meantime, tell us: has this ever happened to you?

FishbowlLA: Self-Pimp: FBLA Editor Takes on Tampa Tribune Editor

Despite the fact everyone has been telling us DC might be a place best avoided over the next few days, we are going! FishbowlNY has found what appears to be the last bus ticket out of NYC and will be in the nation’s capitol for all the goings-on over the next few days.

Joining us to usher in the 44th President of the United States will be FBDC’s Patrick Gavin (naturally!) as well as FBLA’s Tina DuPuy. Keep your eye on this space as well as our various twitter feeds for pics, posts, and 140 character updates.