How to Write an Invoice in 11 Steps, Plus an Invoice Example

Next, you need to make sure you’ve listed your client’s information. Include the name of the business (if applicable), and your contact’s name, address, phone number and email. Say you have https://www.bookstime.com/ a client named John Smith, and the invoice you’re sending to him is his seventh. You need a reference number to keep track of your invoices and make sure you don’t create any duplicates.

• So, follow the below-mentioned steps and you will get a personalized invoice before you know it.
• However, in the case of a new client or large project, it isn’t unreasonable to require partial payment before your work is completed.
• Freelancers often have a range of payment methods they’re comfortable with.
• This makes you professional and also helps in customer satisfaction.
• So we’ve compiled some tips for crafting your invoicing process to exude professionalism and ensure prompt payment.

How do you send an invoice for freelancers?

Always include a line for taxes, even if they aren’t applicable. To track late payments, refer back to your preset date toward the top of your invoice. Mistakes like this can be easily eliminated by preparing how to invoice as a freelancer a specific checklist for sending a freelancer invoice. Check everything before sending an invoice to the client so that you have a proper workflow and don’t end up making mistakes on the invoice.

Step 1: Make it professional

Most small businesses opt for a 30-day grace period (also known as net 30 terms). That said, you might offer a longer payment window for recurring clients you trust to pay on time. If you typically work with repeat clients and offer multiple services, you might send an invoice on a bi-weekly or monthly cadence. If you work with multiple clients for one-off projects, you’ll likely bill each time you turn in a predetermined deliverable. In these cases, you’ll appreciate working from a templatized invoice you can edit and send as you meet your deadlines. Use the available white space to make your payment details super specific.

Payment options

Invoicing is an integral part of the freelance business, as it directly impacts cash flow and client relationships. Using templates alone, you don’t have a centralized system for easy storage. You have to create a manual system for tracking when your invoices are paid and when you should follow up with clients.

Freelancer invoice template

The following highlights the advantages of using invoicing tools and software and discusses top options for your freelance business. By leveraging invoicing software and tools, you can automate various aspects of the invoicing process, save time, and enhance your productivity. It is essential to review your invoices for errors before sending them to maintain a professional image and prevent any discrepancies that may delay payment. Double-checking all the information, including the billing amounts, client details, and services listed, can help ensure accurate invoicing and reduce the risk of disputes. Final invoices are necessary for completed projects or those with a duration of less than a month.

• Your work is complete, your client’s happy, now you can just sit back and relax — right?
• Say you have a client named John Smith, and the invoice you’re sending to him is his seventh.
• But in any case, in an invoice, deliveries or other services are billed to a customer.
• The first thing your client will see when they view your invoice is the header.
• Payment terms denote the bill amount and the time frame in which the invoice payment is due.
• Sending a PDF-version of your invoice as an email attachment is the simplest way to invoice your clients.
• You can upload your logo and input all of the contact details for your business and customers.

• Invoicing upon completion of the project is common in freelance work and helps to foster a sense of trust between you and the client.
• This article will help provide you with some vital tips on writing an invoice, as well as a couple of great templates as examples.
• There are lots of tools to choose from, and we’ve outlined some of our favorites, including HelloBonsai, Harvest, Freshbooks and ZoHo, in this post on invoice generator options.
• We will also share tips on how to follow up on unpaid invoices and how to manage your invoicing efficiently to save time and reduce stress.
• Or you and your client might agree to milestones that warrant payment, such as finishing an outline for a long project, or completing a draft of the work.
• Yes, a private person can write an invoice for goods or services provided.

How to Write a Freelance Invoice (+ Template)

Provide Detailed List of Services