Anyone who is associated with freelancing will agree with me that invoicing can be a bit of a headache. There are so many rules and regulations to keep track of, not to mention the hassle of actually getting paid. It’s nothing to worry about, as there are so many myths floating around about invoicing. But just because something is a common belief doesn’t make it true. In this blog post, we’ll dispel some of the most common invoicing myths so that you can get paid without any drama.
You don’t need to send an invoice if you trust the client.
Wrong! Sending an invoice is always a good idea, even if you trust the client. A formal invoice shows that you mean business and that you expect to be paid for your work. Plus, it gives the client all of the important information they need in one place (more on that later). If you don’t send an invoice, the client may forget to pay or may not include all of the data you should require to get paid properly.
The more complicated your invoice, the better.
Nope! An invoice should be clear and easy to understand. The final thing you must understand is that your client gets overwhelmed by all of the details and decide not to pay. Stick to the essentials: what was provided, when it was provided, how much it costs, and when payment is due. Any other information can go in the footer or in a separate attachment.
You only need to provide your basic contact information on an invoice.
Wrong again! Your invoice should include detailed contact information so that the client knows how to contact you if they have any questions. At a minimum, you should include your name, email address, phone number, and mailing address. If you have a blogging site or social media accounts, feel free to include those as well. The more ways the client has to reach you, the better!
You don’t have to worry about international payments unless you’re dealing with an international client.
This one is technically true, but there’s a caveat: even if you’re only dealing with domestic clients, there’s always a chance that they may want to pay you in foreign currency. So it’s best to be prepared! Make sure your https://invoice-maker.org invoicing software can handle foreign currency conversions so that you can easily get paid no matter where your client is located. Each country also has its own laws and regulations regarding payments, so it’s important to do your research before doing business internationally.
Communication with Clients isn’t Essential
It’s inevitable to remember that communication is key when it comes to successful billing and invoicing. Whether you’re working with customers directly or dealing with an accounting team, it’s crucial to keep your clients informed about the status of their payments, any changes in your billing process, or any other relevant information. By maintaining clear and consistent communication throughout the invoicing process, you can help ensure that everything runs smoothly and that everyone involved remains on the same page. In turn, this will help you build strong relationships with your clients and deliver better results for your business overall.
Delayed payment is better than no payment.
This may be true in some cases but not in others. If you’re struggling to make ends meet, then obviously, getting paid late is better than not getting paid at all! But if you have a steady stream of income coming in, then it’s best to set up clear expectations with your clients from the start about when payments are due and what happens if they’re late. Many freelancers charge interest on late payments or require prepayment for future work if a client has been delinquent in the past. It’s up to you what terms and conditions you want to set but make sure they’re clear from the start so there are no wonders later down the road.
Conclusion
Invoicing doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful—as long as you know what myths to look out for! By dispeling some of the most common invoicing myths, we hope we’ve made the process a little bit easier for you. Now go forth and get paid!
