If you’re new to freelancing, the first time you get asked for a freelance invoice can be a scary moment. How do you create one? Where do you keep track? And what does the company need to process it?
Don’t fret! A freelance invoice is easy to create and track.
As a new freelancer, it’s time to start thinking about using an invoice generator or a system that will track them for you. Here are some great ideas to help you create a professional invoice and stay on top of your finances.
Pay attention to your layout
All invoices have a few details in common. Primarily, that includes their layout.
The Header
You begin with a professional header, usually a logo or the name of your company, followed by your contact information.
Contact Information
The contact information is essential for anyone should they have issues getting you paid. It should include your name, address, email, and phone number.
You’ll also need to include your client’s contact information. If you don’t have all the contact info, make sure you list the name of your client and their email at the very least.
Relevant Due Dates & Numbers
Next up, you’ll get to some of the fun stuff. You’ll want to have an invoice number so you can keep track of which check pays which invoice in the future. This is helpful, particularly when it comes time to pay taxes.
Then include the date the invoice was prepared and the due date.
Payment Terms
You want to make it clear how you expect to be paid. If you only take a check, make sure to include that in the payment options section.
In addition to how you’ll get paid, you want them to know the payment terms. What happens if they’re late by more than a few days? It’s always good to find a balance that protects you but keeps your client happy.
An itemized service breakdown
You’ll want to itemize information that showcases what services you performed and how much each of those services costs. If you’re working by the hour, you’ll want to clarify that the rate for that project is hourly.
That final number is should show up in your “amount due” section. That’s what the client owes you.
Make your life easier with a generator
While there’s no harm in taking the time to write an invoice yourself, you can also use a generator to help save you a little time. There are several free generators online that produce simple and professional invoices.
You can also look at some of your tax or payment platforms for help. For example, those that have a PayPal account already have access to an invoice generator. Not only will they store the contact information for future use, but they’ll also send the invoice directly to the client. If you’re already getting paid via PayPal, this can be a huge help.
Setting up an invoice for the first time can feel huge. Don’t let it overwhelm you! Now that you’ve got a freelance invoice layout in mind, you can get paid and get back to work.