Self-employment provides individuals with flexibility and freedom to enjoy life! You get to choose your own schedule, where you get to work, and how much you get paid. Unfortunately, getting paid can be frustrating for freelancers despite the freedoms that it might provide you with.
Freelancers and small business owners alike need to provide their clients with invoices to get paid. If you are wondering how to make an invoice, you’re in the right place. Today, we will discuss how to prepare an invoice for payment as a self-employed individual so that you can keep on top of your financial matters.
What Should You Include in an Invoice?
An invoice is a form that lists all of the information needed to complete a transaction. It provides self-employed individuals with evidence of services rendered. It also shows how much money is owed for these services.
It’s important to include a professional header at the top of your invoice. You should also include your contact information. This allows your clients to contact you with any questions they might have about the invoice.
When preparing an invoice, it’s important to include the current date and the expected payment date. The payment amount expected of your client is a given, however, you should also list the types of payments that you are willing to accept.
If you are worried that you might forget pertinent information or need some assistance, you might consider using an invoice template. Templates are convenient because they allow users to fill in the information to generate a simple, easy-to-read invoice in no time at all.
When Should You Send an Invoice?
You must send your invoice to your clients when the time is right (and only when you’ve discussed the invoice with them!). If you haven’t already discussed the invoice with your client, it could cause payment delays or disgruntled clients.
You and your client should decide when to expect an invoice from the very beginning of your agreement. For a one-time project, you might send the invoice after the project is done. If you plan to continue working with a client on a regular basis, you might decide to request payment on the first of the month or every other week.
You’ll also want to make sure that the invoice cannot be altered by anyone once it’s left your possession. Ideally, you might consider creating a PDF file rather than sending a WordDoc via email (this is generally the fastest way to reach your client). Remember to put the invoice number and payment amount in the subject line to make it easier for you and your clients to find when it’s needed.
How to Make an Invoice
Business owners and freelancers depend on their clients to pay them for the services they’ve provided them with. It’s important to provide your clients with the necessary information to do so. Now that you know how to make an invoice, you will be better prepared to take on your next client (and get paid for your work!).
Check out our other business-related content for more helpful tips for freelancers and small business owners.
Danny White is a freelance writer who offers to ghostwrite, copywriting, and blogging services. He works closely with B2C and B2B businesses providing digital marketing content that gains social media attention and increases their search engine visibility.
