Freelance Invoice - Basics You Should Know

As a freelancer, you want to get paid for the time and effort you put into every job you complete. By creating a freelance invoice for each project or gig, you can keep track of when you asked for payment, and you can give your client all of the details they need to ensure your payment will be processed correctly and in a timely fashion. 

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What goes into a freelance invoice, and how can you make the process of creating invoices as simple as possible?

Below is a brief guide that sheds light on this important topic.

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What to Include in a Freelance Invoice

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An invoice consists of several parts:

• Your name and contact information – The top of an invoice should showcase your full name or the name of your business, along with your contact details (e.g. business address, email, and phone number). 
• Your client’s information – In addition to your contact info, the invoice should display the client’s information, including their name and contact details. 
• Invoice number – Each invoice should have a number you can use to track it and to make references to it whenever necessary.  
•  Payment method – A section detailing how a payment can be submitted to you will give your client the instructions they need. For example, this might include your bank details for direct deposit or you might request a payment by check. 
•  Dates – Include the date that you submit the invoice to your client, as well as the deadline for getting paid. You can use terms like “Net 15” to let a client know that they have about two weeks to pay the invoice, or “Due on receipt” to request immediate payment. Alternatively, you can specify a date that will work for you and your client. 
• Detailed line items – Clearly describe what you did for the client, as well as the rate for the project and whether it was a fixed rate or hourly rate. 

How to Manage Reminders

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Sometimes, you need to send a reminder to a client that hasn’t paid an invoice by the due date. By tracking each invoice closely, you’ll know exactly when one is past due, so you’ll be able to take action right away.

It can be hard to keep track of all of your invoices and their due dates. However, setting reminders on your calendar or using a program to send out automated reminders can simplify things.  

Reasons to Use a Professional Tool 

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To reduce the stress of managing invoices, consider using a professional tool, such as our freelancer app. Not only will your freelance invoice look more refined, but you can also automate your workflow and take the guesswork out of invoicing. 

For instance, a high-quality tool can provide templates for writing invoices quickly, and it can track outstanding invoices and overdue payments. Plus, you might even be able to send invoices on a schedule.

Lunafi's Freelancer App Can Help!

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Whether you’re brand new to freelancing or in search of tools to make invoicing easier, Lunafi is here to support you. Right now, you can get our invoice template in Word. But soon, you’ll also be able to use our freelancer app to manage all aspects of invoicing. 

Our app will help you create and send invoices immediately, as well as schedule them to be sent to clients automatically. And it will help you track income and send automated payment reminders too. 

Get Lunafi today so you can take advantage of our invoicing services as soon as they become available!