{"id":12546,"date":"2019-09-02T06:46:08","date_gmt":"2019-09-02T04:46:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.invoiceberry.com\/blog\/?p=12546"},"modified":"2019-08-04T21:32:50","modified_gmt":"2019-08-04T19:32:50","slug":"invoicing-mistakes-avoid-as-freelancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.invoiceberry.com\/blog\/invoicing-mistakes-avoid-as-freelancer\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Invoicing Mistakes To Avoid As A Freelancer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Preparing and sending invoices is an essential part of freelancing. <\/span><\/p>\n

Ideally speaking, it should be a quick and a painless process, but for most freelancers – this is not the case. Sending the payment request email can be awkward at first. It\u2019s a tedious, yet, a formal task for most people.<\/span><\/p>\n

But with that said, It\u2019s also arguably one of the most important activities you do as a freelancer: <\/span>getting paid<\/b><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

This is an area you can\u2019t take any second chances on.<\/span><\/p>\n

When your bottom line is at stake, you want to make sure you\u2019re doing everything efficiently and there is no room for mistakes<\/a>. Quick payments depend on accurate, professional, and timely invoices so the client knows how to react accordingly. <\/span><\/p>\n

If done well, the whole process should go smoothly, everyone will be on the same page and you’ll get paid on time. <\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, that is easier said than done.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, to start getting paid quickly and increase your <\/span>cash flow<\/span><\/a> here are some of the 5 common invoicing mistakes you might want to avoid:<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow to Compensate For A Bad Income Month as a Freelancer<\/span><\/a>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn some cases, as a freelancer, income may not be too stable. Let's look at how to pull through in the event your income doesn't meet your expectations.<\/span>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tREAD MORE<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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1. Not enough information<\/b><\/h2>\n

Putting the incorrect details on an invoice is one of the most common invoicing mistakes and one of the worst ones you can make as well. <\/span><\/p>\n

So, what goes in an invoice, exactly?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Just the task you did for a client and the amount you should be paid for, right?<\/span><\/p>\n

Well, not quite.<\/span><\/p>\n

You shouldn\u2019t overwhelm your client, but at the same time, you should have just the right amount of details that will make their life easier. <\/span><\/p>\n

To do this, first, focus on the services or products you\u2019re charging them for. Make sure they\u2019re in order, organized by date, and itemized specifically (i.e. no vague terms for your services). The idea is to make it as clear as possible for the client so they know what they’re paying for.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Invoicing-Details-Information\"
Try not to overwhelm them with your invoice, but at the same time, make sure they know what they’re getting into.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Other details you might want to include are the date of the services provided. Don\u2019t make it any more difficult for them to pay you, because, chances are, they have a thousand other things they need to deal with.<\/p>\n

Think of it from their point of view.<\/span><\/p>\n

The easier it is for them to pay you – the sooner you\u2019ll be paid<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Clarify your payment methods, make sure your invoice is accurate and straight to the point, and you\u2019ll be on your way to getting paid. <\/span><\/p>\n

To ensure this process is smooth for everyone involved – remember that there\u2019s a person at the other end of the screen who\u2019s going to go over your invoice. <\/span><\/p>\n

Once your invoice is ready to send out, another common mistake you might make is –<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Not sending invoices on time<\/b><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re not sending your invoices on time<\/a> – you\u2019re not getting paid on time.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is another thing that makes it more difficult for a client to pay you. And in this case, this is another mistake that affects your bottom line directly. <\/span><\/p>\n

So, when <\/span>do<\/span><\/i> you send an invoice?<\/span><\/p>\n

This probably depends on your niche or profession. There are a lot of different ways this might go. And a lot depends if you signed a contract or not. <\/span><\/p>\n

If a contract is involved, be sure to go over it thoroughly and you\u2019re familiar with the terms and when your clients are going to pay you. <\/span><\/p>\n

If not, however, then you might want to think about the following:<\/span><\/p>\n