But creative freelancers and designers need to remember one thing: in order to continue running your business, you need money. And if you want to have great business, you need to improve your\u00a0financial thinking and procedures.<\/p>\n
To help you out, today we\u2019ll look at simple but brilliant invoicing tips for creative freelancers and designers you can start using today!<\/p>\n
#1 Make a strategic (and negotiable) pricelist<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe golden question: how much to charge? It\u2019s one of the most important invoicing tips for creative freelancers, as well as designers, and one that cannot be overlooked.<\/p>\n
Essentially, your pricelist depends on a wide variety of factors<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n- Experience<\/li>\n
- Location<\/li>\n
- Level of competition<\/li>\n
- Variety of services<\/li>\n
- Speed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
It is important to take into account all those factors when creating a pricelist. If you\u2019re a 10-year war photojournalist living in Manhattan, you\u2019ll be charging a lot more than a freshman at Arizona State University for the same product.<\/p>\n
When you\u2019ve figured out your pricelist, since you\u2019re in the creative field, remember one thing: prices are always negotiable<\/strong>.<\/p>\nBefore you even make your quote, let it be known that all your service prices are negotiable depending upon certain factors. You don\u2019t have to list those factors. And, in reality, 80% of your clients won\u2019t negotiate much at all.<\/p>\n
But it does present you as practical, and in the case of a negotiation, your clients and you will both get something good out of it.<\/p>\n
#2 Make terms clear from the beginning<\/strong><\/h2>\nOnce a client contacts you, or you\u2019ve persuaded your creative skills are par excellence<\/em>, you\u2019ll need to create a fantastic quote or estimate to pull them in. Remember, you don\u2019t have them yet, so spend some time in fully hashing out a quote that\u2019s indicative of your talents.<\/p>\nBut don\u2019t forget about the other part:\u00a0 you need to make everything crystal clear from the beginning. Before the beginning, actually.<\/p>\n
In the quote and back-and-forth discussions that you have with your potential client, make the following terms very clear:<\/p>\n
\n- Price<\/strong>: come up with a good price, then after negotiations, state and repeat the price<\/li>\n
- Payment due date<\/strong>: don\u2019t do 30 days, make it 15 or fewer and use the clear \u2018Please pay within 15 days\u2019 rather than the outdated \u2018due upon receipt\u2019<\/li>\n
- Interest on late payment<\/strong>: this is optional, depending on the size of the project<\/li>\n
- Upfront payment in full or partial<\/strong>: this is good for showing your customer\u2019s commitment<\/li>\n
- Number of revisions allowed<\/strong>: two\u00a0is a good place to start, but down’t allow\u00a0endless revisions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Setting these terms up front and in highly visible ways will help prevent any problems or surprises later. It is a bit business-y, and it can sometimes dull the creative excitement on both ends, but it is absolutely necessary.<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t \t\t<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t11 Invoicing Terms Every Small Business & Freelancer Should Know<\/span><\/a>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIt's very difficult for a business to succeed without appropriate financial knowledge. These 11 invoicing terms will help you run your business smoothly.<\/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<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n#3 Organize your paperwork<\/strong><\/h2>\nYou don\u2019t have to adhere to the stereotype that creatives are artistically messy<\/a>. Your hair may be frumpy. Your clothes may or may not be hanging over your door, floor, and ceiling lights. But don\u2019t let that extend to your invoices.<\/p>\nKeep them organized. If you\u2019re still living in the paper age (Neanderthal!) keep your invoices and other important physical, losable documents in a clearly seen, organized folder. Right next to your musket and powdered wig.<\/p>\n
Or you can join the 21st<\/sup> century and keep your documents online for easy access or just use invoicing software. Revolutionary!<\/p>\nThis may not come as a big surprise, seeing as we at InvoiceBerry<\/a> do create amazingly simple and flexible online invoicing software<\/a>, but it\u2019s much easier to keep everything stored where you can\u2019t really lose it.<\/p>\nBesides that fact, you\u2019re also able to quickly create your invoices, store them online (no more searching through shoe boxes for client info), and even create reports<\/a> when tax season comes.<\/p>\nGet with the program.<\/p>\n
#4 Make beautiful invoices<\/strong><\/h2>\nA list of\u00a0invoicing tips for creative freelancers and designers wouldn\u2019t be worth much without this one: be creative. Not just in your work<\/p>\n
Use your talents to create a great\u00a0invoice<\/strong>. If you\u2019re a photographer, graphic designer, illustrator, animator, game designer or whatever, why limit your talents\u00a0to your work?<\/p>\nYour invoice is a document that your clients will be seeing on a hopefully regular, increasing business. So why use your Dad\u2019s old black and white Word 95 invoice?<\/p>\n![\"Don't](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.invoiceberry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Office95.png?resize=640%2C313&ssl=1\")
Don’t be stuck in the Stone Age with an invoice straight from Microsoft Office 95. Be creative and send out beautiful, attractive invoices. Image source<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nYou don\u2019t still use Times New Roman, so why stick with the plain, boring and outdated stuff?<\/p>\n
Coincidentally enough, InvoiceBerry\u2019s just recently a new series of awesome, creative Photoshop<\/a>, InDesign<\/a> and editable PDF invoice templates<\/a> for absolutely free. There\u2019s also the great variety of online invoice templates in our software to choose from.<\/p>\nThat means you don\u2019t have to start from scratch (and add to your workload). Download our free invoice templates, add your logo, fonts, colors, whatever, and ship them off in a matter of minutes.<\/p>\n
When your clients get your beautiful creative work, and then a beautiful invoice to boot, you will stick out as not only a wonderful artist, but also a wholesome business person.<\/p>\n
#5 Invoice faster to get paid faster<\/strong><\/h2>\nTo be honest, all of these tips will help you get paid faster and more easily. But if you\u2019re a creative, there is such a thing as energy drain. Especially once the project is finally finished and you can send it off. You loved doing it, but you just want a break from it all.<\/p>\n
Energy drain then leads to procrastination<\/a>, and now it\u2019s two weeks later and you still haven\u2019t sent that damn invoice!<\/p>\nAnd that\u2019s how you end up not getting paid on time, because you didn\u2019t send your invoice on time.<\/p>\n
Before you\u2019ve even finished your project, take a ten minute break and start your invoice<\/strong>. It doesn\u2019t have to be 100% specific (especially since you\u2019re probably working on a time basis), but you can add in all the other details.<\/p>\nThere is no other guaranteed way for you to get paid faster.<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t \t\t<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t9 Easy Finance Tips to Make Your Small Business Succeed<\/span><\/a>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBusiness can be tough, but these 9 easy finance tips will teach you how to manage and control your small business finances much better for greater success!<\/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<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n#6 Add all the details on the invoice<\/h2>\n
Don\u2019t just add the client information, job description, rate, quantity, subtotal and total to your invoices. One of the best invoicing tips (and a must really) is to make it easy for your customers to actually pay you.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t force them to scroll through their email and find your bank information, or even worse slog through physical documents that no one uses anymore.<\/p>\n
Put the following in your invoice:<\/p>\n
\n- your bank account information<\/strong><\/li>\n
- the payment terms<\/strong> (the ones we discussed earlier).<\/li>\n
- the due date<\/strong>, the penalty<\/strong>, whatever you\u2019ve agreed on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
That way, the client can pay you immediately when he or she receives the invoice.<\/p>\n
Even better, add a Paypal or Stripe option so that they can pay you directly without having to deal with archaic bank processes.<\/p>\n
While you\u2019re adding things to your invoices, add in a thank you note as well<\/strong>. Studies have shown that adding a \u201cthank you\u201d note<\/a> to your invoices can get you paid faster.<\/p>\nWhen you\u2019ve created beautiful work, a beautiful and memorable invoice, on time and with all the necessary details, there\u2019s no reason why you won\u2019t get paid faster.<\/p>\n
#7 Follow up and be firm<\/h2>\n
There\u2019s one reason why you won\u2019t get paid faster\u2014it\u2019s your client\u2019s fault. It could be that they forgot, it could be that they didn\u2019t receive your email or snail mail papyrus-invoice. Or it could be that they just don\u2019t want to or are unable to pay right now.<\/p>\n
So how do you get them to pay faster?<\/p>\n
Step 1: The polite email<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Experience<\/li>\n
- Location<\/li>\n
- Level of competition<\/li>\n
- Variety of services<\/li>\n
- Speed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
It is important to take into account all those factors when creating a pricelist. If you\u2019re a 10-year war photojournalist living in Manhattan, you\u2019ll be charging a lot more than a freshman at Arizona State University for the same product.<\/p>\n
When you\u2019ve figured out your pricelist, since you\u2019re in the creative field, remember one thing: prices are always negotiable<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
Before you even make your quote, let it be known that all your service prices are negotiable depending upon certain factors. You don\u2019t have to list those factors. And, in reality, 80% of your clients won\u2019t negotiate much at all.<\/p>\n
But it does present you as practical, and in the case of a negotiation, your clients and you will both get something good out of it.<\/p>\n
#2 Make terms clear from the beginning<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Once a client contacts you, or you\u2019ve persuaded your creative skills are par excellence<\/em>, you\u2019ll need to create a fantastic quote or estimate to pull them in. Remember, you don\u2019t have them yet, so spend some time in fully hashing out a quote that\u2019s indicative of your talents.<\/p>\n
But don\u2019t forget about the other part:\u00a0 you need to make everything crystal clear from the beginning. Before the beginning, actually.<\/p>\n
In the quote and back-and-forth discussions that you have with your potential client, make the following terms very clear:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Price<\/strong>: come up with a good price, then after negotiations, state and repeat the price<\/li>\n
- Payment due date<\/strong>: don\u2019t do 30 days, make it 15 or fewer and use the clear \u2018Please pay within 15 days\u2019 rather than the outdated \u2018due upon receipt\u2019<\/li>\n
- Interest on late payment<\/strong>: this is optional, depending on the size of the project<\/li>\n
- Upfront payment in full or partial<\/strong>: this is good for showing your customer\u2019s commitment<\/li>\n
- Number of revisions allowed<\/strong>: two\u00a0is a good place to start, but down’t allow\u00a0endless revisions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Setting these terms up front and in highly visible ways will help prevent any problems or surprises later. It is a bit business-y, and it can sometimes dull the creative excitement on both ends, but it is absolutely necessary.<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t \t\t<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t11 Invoicing Terms Every Small Business & Freelancer Should Know<\/span><\/a>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIt's very difficult for a business to succeed without appropriate financial knowledge. These 11 invoicing terms will help you run your business smoothly.<\/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<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n#3 Organize your paperwork<\/strong><\/h2>\n
You don\u2019t have to adhere to the stereotype that creatives are artistically messy<\/a>. Your hair may be frumpy. Your clothes may or may not be hanging over your door, floor, and ceiling lights. But don\u2019t let that extend to your invoices.<\/p>\n
Keep them organized. If you\u2019re still living in the paper age (Neanderthal!) keep your invoices and other important physical, losable documents in a clearly seen, organized folder. Right next to your musket and powdered wig.<\/p>\n
Or you can join the 21st<\/sup> century and keep your documents online for easy access or just use invoicing software. Revolutionary!<\/p>\n
This may not come as a big surprise, seeing as we at InvoiceBerry<\/a> do create amazingly simple and flexible online invoicing software<\/a>, but it\u2019s much easier to keep everything stored where you can\u2019t really lose it.<\/p>\n
Besides that fact, you\u2019re also able to quickly create your invoices, store them online (no more searching through shoe boxes for client info), and even create reports<\/a> when tax season comes.<\/p>\n
Get with the program.<\/p>\n
#4 Make beautiful invoices<\/strong><\/h2>\n
A list of\u00a0invoicing tips for creative freelancers and designers wouldn\u2019t be worth much without this one: be creative. Not just in your work<\/p>\n
Use your talents to create a great\u00a0invoice<\/strong>. If you\u2019re a photographer, graphic designer, illustrator, animator, game designer or whatever, why limit your talents\u00a0to your work?<\/p>\n
Your invoice is a document that your clients will be seeing on a hopefully regular, increasing business. So why use your Dad\u2019s old black and white Word 95 invoice?<\/p>\n
Don’t be stuck in the Stone Age with an invoice straight from Microsoft Office 95. Be creative and send out beautiful, attractive invoices. Image source<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n You don\u2019t still use Times New Roman, so why stick with the plain, boring and outdated stuff?<\/p>\n
Coincidentally enough, InvoiceBerry\u2019s just recently a new series of awesome, creative Photoshop<\/a>, InDesign<\/a> and editable PDF invoice templates<\/a> for absolutely free. There\u2019s also the great variety of online invoice templates in our software to choose from.<\/p>\n
That means you don\u2019t have to start from scratch (and add to your workload). Download our free invoice templates, add your logo, fonts, colors, whatever, and ship them off in a matter of minutes.<\/p>\n
When your clients get your beautiful creative work, and then a beautiful invoice to boot, you will stick out as not only a wonderful artist, but also a wholesome business person.<\/p>\n
#5 Invoice faster to get paid faster<\/strong><\/h2>\n
To be honest, all of these tips will help you get paid faster and more easily. But if you\u2019re a creative, there is such a thing as energy drain. Especially once the project is finally finished and you can send it off. You loved doing it, but you just want a break from it all.<\/p>\n
Energy drain then leads to procrastination<\/a>, and now it\u2019s two weeks later and you still haven\u2019t sent that damn invoice!<\/p>\n
And that\u2019s how you end up not getting paid on time, because you didn\u2019t send your invoice on time.<\/p>\n
Before you\u2019ve even finished your project, take a ten minute break and start your invoice<\/strong>. It doesn\u2019t have to be 100% specific (especially since you\u2019re probably working on a time basis), but you can add in all the other details.<\/p>\n
There is no other guaranteed way for you to get paid faster.<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t \t\t<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t9 Easy Finance Tips to Make Your Small Business Succeed<\/span><\/a>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBusiness can be tough, but these 9 easy finance tips will teach you how to manage and control your small business finances much better for greater success!<\/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<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n#6 Add all the details on the invoice<\/h2>\n
Don\u2019t just add the client information, job description, rate, quantity, subtotal and total to your invoices. One of the best invoicing tips (and a must really) is to make it easy for your customers to actually pay you.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t force them to scroll through their email and find your bank information, or even worse slog through physical documents that no one uses anymore.<\/p>\n
Put the following in your invoice:<\/p>\n
- \n
- your bank account information<\/strong><\/li>\n
- the payment terms<\/strong> (the ones we discussed earlier).<\/li>\n
- the due date<\/strong>, the penalty<\/strong>, whatever you\u2019ve agreed on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
That way, the client can pay you immediately when he or she receives the invoice.<\/p>\n
Even better, add a Paypal or Stripe option so that they can pay you directly without having to deal with archaic bank processes.<\/p>\n
While you\u2019re adding things to your invoices, add in a thank you note as well<\/strong>. Studies have shown that adding a \u201cthank you\u201d note<\/a> to your invoices can get you paid faster.<\/p>\n
When you\u2019ve created beautiful work, a beautiful and memorable invoice, on time and with all the necessary details, there\u2019s no reason why you won\u2019t get paid faster.<\/p>\n
#7 Follow up and be firm<\/h2>\n
There\u2019s one reason why you won\u2019t get paid faster\u2014it\u2019s your client\u2019s fault. It could be that they forgot, it could be that they didn\u2019t receive your email or snail mail papyrus-invoice. Or it could be that they just don\u2019t want to or are unable to pay right now.<\/p>\n
So how do you get them to pay faster?<\/p>\n
Step 1: The polite email<\/h3>\n
- the payment terms<\/strong> (the ones we discussed earlier).<\/li>\n
- Payment due date<\/strong>: don\u2019t do 30 days, make it 15 or fewer and use the clear \u2018Please pay within 15 days\u2019 rather than the outdated \u2018due upon receipt\u2019<\/li>\n
- Price<\/strong>: come up with a good price, then after negotiations, state and repeat the price<\/li>\n