The most important piece of advice that can be given is to make life easier for yourself and get online invoicing software like InvoiceBerry<\/a>.<\/p>\n This is a simple no-brainer: instead of having to worry about creating documents when you get home, figuring out how much you worked and where those details are, and then trying to find your client\u2019s contact details, you can just leave that to the software.<\/p>\n InvoiceBerry helps simplify the invoicing and expense tracking process, so all you have to do is enter information online. That means you don\u2019t need your home computer\u2014just visit the site from anywhere.<\/p>\n Also, all your clients\u2019 details are stored on the site, so you don\u2019t need to look for anything. There are even expense and other financial reports so you can track how well you\u2019re doing.<\/p>\n Take it as a given that from time to time you\u2019ll have a client whose payment is delayed or late. They may even refuse to pay you fully or at all for your services.<\/p>\n In these situation, it is very advisable to have certain policies in place. These act as a base of understanding between you and your clients. These policies may be adjusted upon a later date, for one client or completely, but keep them as a way to hold yourself and your clients accountable.<\/p>\n In your policies you should be able to state whether you\u2019ll take payment upfront<\/strong> and the time allotted for payment<\/strong>. You should also decide if there\u2019ll be any late fees either as a specific amount or percentage<\/strong>. Then state what types of payments you\u2019ll accept<\/strong> (cash, debit, bank transfer) and if you\u2019ll deliver before or after payment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n What are your and your client\u2019s expectation? How much time do you have to deliver the services? And what, in detail, are the extent of the services?<\/p>\n The answers to these questions will be different than what’s in your policy. Your policy is static and thus always the same for each client.<\/p>\n These specific agreements on a case-by-case basis determine exactly what your services are and what your clients pay for. That will help you clear up and hopefully avoid any possible future confusion or surprises. With InvoiceBerry’s software, you can easily turn your quote into an invoice<\/a> with just one click.<\/p>\n For the sake of your record keeping\u2014that is, if you\u2019re not already using an invoicing software\u2014you should have numbered invoices. You can use any system you choose\u2014letters, numbers, or a combination of the two.<\/p>\n It is always advised, however, not to start off your invoices with “001”. It will let the client know that you\u2019re just starting out and potentially inexperienced – and perhaps unprofessional. Go ahead for your favorite number, such as “0072,” and start off from there.<\/p>\n It happens to many freelancers and small businesses. They do all the work, but then when it comes time to pay they are just too tired or lazy to send invoices.<\/p>\n That means that not only will their invoices not get paid on time, but they will also cause their clients some potential problems. After all, clients are also busy. Send your invoices as soon as the job is complete. In this way, being prompt\u00a0is also a useful method\u00a0to help keep you\u00a0on your client\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n Furthermore, by sending invoices immediately, you\u2019ll show your professionalism and that promptness is important to you.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t get too creative and academic with your invoices. Don\u2019t use strange language that obfuscates (see what I mean?) the main point. If it\u2019s for wedding pictures on June 8, 2016, then you should write “Wedding pictures, June 8, 2016\u201d. There’s nothing too fancy about that.<\/p>\n As for the layout and design of the invoice, simple is usually better. However, sometimes you want to be more creative and individual. That\u2019s fine, but it\u2019s better for financial documents to find a good balance with color, individuality, and simplicity. You can check out our list of free downloadable invoice templates<\/a> and choose your favorite.<\/p>\n Ideally as part of your policies, you should have included charges for late payment or delivery. This will help both you and your client to stay on track.<\/p>\n For your client, there should be a certain amount added to the invoice for late payment. It can be gradual, so that one charge is added after 15 days, again at 30, etc. This can be a percentage, although usually it is a specific amount. Be sure also to make these payment due dates short. Therefore, 15 days, not 30, is better, as payers are on average late by 2 weeks.<\/p>\n For yourself, you can also add a condition that there will be a charge against you (a discount) for late delivery. This can be of your choosing, but anytime you\u2019re late on delivery, you should strongly consider a discount, written in policy or not.<\/p>\n While you\u2019re sending your clean, simple though customized invoice, don\u2019t be too restricted. There are many things you can do\u2014you can use your invoice as a marketing tool<\/a>. Check out the infographic below to find out more:<\/p>\n How do you know who\u2019s paid? Just based on your memory? Or do you go through your bank account and check who\u2019s sent you money?<\/p>\nDetermine policies\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Send and agree to a quote before the job<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Number invoices, but don\u2019t begin with \u201c001\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Send invoices promptly<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Use simple, easy language and layout<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Add overdue fees<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Invoice as marketing tool<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nRecord payments received<\/strong><\/h2>\n