How to Invoice as a Freelancer: Our Easy 5-Step Guide

You may decide to send the invoice a week before it’s due, or even two weeks before it’s due; it’s completely up to you. Just make sure you give your client enough time to make the payment and don’t send it so far in advance that they forget about it. If you’re trying to figure out how to write an invoice for freelance work, start with the basics outlined below. Your invoice needs the following, but you can always add more information depending on your client’s needs.

I know the “money part” of business is intimidating at the start… but I PROMISE it feels awesome to get paid. Please find attached invoice [invoice number] for

due on [invoice due date]. The invoice contains all payment options and a detailed breakdown of products/services provided. A clear description of products or services provided to the client makes it easy to understand what they’re being billed for. Transparency is key in every client relationship, so make sure to include a detailed description of the work completed.

Manually create your invoices

For one-off clients and occasional projects, it can be beneficial to send your invoice as soon as the project is complete. If you have repeat clients that you work with on a regular basis, send your invoice on the same day each month (i.e., the first of the month or the 15th of the month). If you prefer to invoice clients once a week, designate a specific day to do so. Rather than creating invoices every day of the week, set up a schedule and designate a block of time to send invoices at the same time each week or each month.

Freelancing can be risky work — honestly, sometimes clients don’t pay. That’s why I like to ask for a deposit upfront before performing a freelance service. I believe half of the payment before the work has been started, that way you’re not 100% on the line if they don’t pay for whatever reason. To make it the easiest on you, I recommend setting time aside weekly to send invoices. A few things taken care of every week makes it WAY easier in the long run. Now that you can confidently write an invoice, it’s time to send it.

When to send an invoice

Managing finances is one of the biggest challenges involved in being a freelancer. In particular, invoicing properly and in a timely manner ensures you receive the revenue you are due and stay afloat. Invoices how to invoice as a freelancer also help you ensure that you’re keeping adequate records for the work your business provides. While it may sound straightforward, you need a dedicated invoicing process to stay organized and professional.

This also led to his flexibility in internationalizing his business across diverse borders. This section moves into skillful approaches for excelling in the crypto-market playground as a freelancer who always needs to understand the intricacies of crypto markets to stay ahead. It puts a spotlight on the importance of paying attention to actual digital currencies used in the industry and always staying up-to-date with their daily fluctuations. She writes various types of content for marketers, tech companies, nonprofits, and small businesses, with extensive experience writing and editing medical and legal copy.

Guide to Creating a Freelance Invoice

It’s fully editable with your branding and includes all the essential information you need to ensure your invoice is professional and accurate. Ultimately, the goal of your freelance invoice is to make it a one-stop shop for clients to easily make their payments. That’s why including multiple payment methods can make electronic payment easier and faster for your clients. Set up your invoicing software to send one email or SMS reminder 24 hours after the invoice comes due and another a few days later.

It could include a returns policy, information on your product warranty, copyright information, or anything else that applies to the type of work you’re providing. It’s also essential to ensure that the client will process your invoice quickly and efficiently — particularly if you’re billing a large company with many different departments. Ensuring accurate client details demonstrates that you’re professional https://www.bookstime.com/articles/income-summary-account and pay attention to details, which reflects well on you as a freelancer. I HIGHLY recommend working with HoneyBook (if you’re US-based) or Bonsai (if you’re based outside the US) to send invoices through. Not only does this make your invoices look similar and professional, it’s considerably easier to track them. Plus they’re all kept in the same place so you know where to get them if you need them.