5 Easy Invoicing Tips for Stress Free Freelancing!

When you first start out in the freelancing world, there seems so much to learn. Certain aspects of running your own business can be initially intimidating, especially financial processes and procedures, and invoicing is one task freelancers are often confused about.

Most of the time, freelancers overthink the process. Many simple templates are available for free, and with just a few tweaks, you can produce professional invoices to rival any business.

Here are five tips to help you create the best freelance invoices with less stress:

1 : Simplify the format. The simplest invoice is the best. Can the client scan the information quickly? Can they immediately understand what they are paying for, how much the total payable is, and the date due? Use a template from Microsoft, black text on a white background.

2 : Detail the scope. Your invoice is a great place to outline the scope of the project, list any intermediary content due dates, and express explicitly what the charges are for. Including this information prevents scope creep and ease tensions when client questions arise.

3 : Develop shorthand. Maybe the services your business provides are manifold. Listing them all on an invoice may be impossible. Instead, develop your own invoicing shorthand. Think SF, MF or LF for short form, medium and long form or SMM instead of social media management.

4 : Extend your terms. Extending the payment terms on your invoice means less time chasing up unpaid bills. If a client has 60 instead of 30 days to pay, one chase-up at around the 30-day mark can increase your chances of being paid on time every time. Less hassle, less stress!

5 : Over inform. Research and learn what details are essential on an invoice in your jurisdiction; registration or VAT number, full business name and address, payee name and tax details etc. Include every form of payment you accept, PayPal address, bank details and payment IDs.

If you take these steps to simplify your document, include all details that may be necessary for payment, add your tasks and extend your terms, you will find invoices are paid more promptly and with less push-back or follow-up questions from the client.

There is no need to buy or rent expensive invoicing software at the early stages of your business and certainly no need to lose a chunk of your profit to bookkeeping fees. Keep track of invoice due dates on a paper calendar, and use a diary to balance the books monthly.

You could consider batching your work, billing monthly or bundling your services into a retainer agreement. A client who does not agree to bundled invoices might not stick around.

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