Our modern world is filled with opportunities to pursue our passions and make money doing it.
But freelance work comes with a specific task that may seem close to impossible or just simply annoying for many of us: invoicing.
Invoicing doesn’t have to be those things. As a freelancer in a new age there are many different ways to make your invoicing easy.
What Is An Invoice?
Definition: An invoice is a commercial document given to a buyer by a seller that states the total amount due for your services.
It is more than just a document that helps your business get paid, it truly is a representation of your company. It is your brand, and your image.
Your invoice may be the final receipt that your business delivers, so being proud and professional about it is super important.
3 Ways To Invoice as a Freelancer
With the technology available to us, invoicing can be done through many different channels.
1. Outsource
If you are a hands-on creative freelancer, you may dread the boring task of creating an invoice. If this describes you, your best move if so is to hire an accountant, this enables you to keep your customers happy and keep you on the good side of the tax authorities. Hiring an accountant will allow you to not have to deal with any of the aspects of the number of your business, but is more costly than any other method.
2. Automatic Invoicing
This is a great compromise between manual invoicing and leaving it all in the hands of an accountant. Automatic invoicing has evolved in the last few years, and today you can find solutions tailored for individual professions. Many different programs offer this type of billing and invoicing software for content creators and freelancers. Some of these programs deliver estimates, invoices and receipts by email or SMS. Doing your research to find the right software will not only make your invoicing easier but will also allow you to have a fairly low-cost and time-efficient invoicing experience for your brand.
3. Manual Invoicing
The most traditional and used method of freelance invoicing is manual.
Manual invoicing is usually the stepping stone to becoming a freelancer, it’s a step most of us need to take to keep growing. Some amazing templates can be found online, just download and fill out the blank spaces! (Examples of templates: PayPal, Freelancing Apps, Fresh Books, Wave). Invoice templates are a great way to start your business off on the right foot and keep it there.
Tips on How To Write and Create Your Invoice Manually
Doing your invoice manually may seem complicated or even time-consuming.
Writing an invoice can come with its challenges, identifying what things are major keys in creating a successful invoice is imperative. The three things to consider when creating an invoice is the presentation, content, and messaging.
A key part of having a good presentation is ensuring your logo is crisp and at a high resolution. Your invoice should only be one page, be all black and white, and be very simple/clear.
Content
The content of your invoice should include some imperative things. At the top, include the name of the company you’re invoicing, who it is meant for (attention to) , the company address, your name and address, the invoice date and the invoice number./ In some places, you should include your business number or GST number here (for Canadians) if you have one.
Message
The message you are sending through your invoice is very important, the primary goal of your invoice is to get paid. In the main body of the invoice is where you break down the services you have provided. It is helpful to have a column with the date, one for the description of the service, another description column if necessary. See the example provided. Remember to include the currency if necessary, and any required taxes.
Taxes
Charging tax is often required when selling goods and services. It is important to do your research to make sure you are charging appropriate taxes… if you don’t, you might end up being charged out of your own pocket at tax time!
Terms and Conditions
Have a small terms and conditions line at the bottom with a description of how long the client has to pay you and the penalties that will follow if you are not paid on time.
Payment Details
Don’t forget to include a note about how you would like to be paid. For example, if PayPal is your preferred method of payment, include a line that says so, and your PayPal email address. If you prefer to receive a wire transfer, include that information at the bottom.
In conclusion, invoicing can be tricky and time-consuming. Knowing where to start and the different methods available will help you succeed in delivering a high-quality invoice to your clients.
Here's an example:
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