How to invoice as a freelancer
Updated · 2 min read
Invoicing is part of the job, and a good system means you spend less time chasing money and more time doing the work you are paid for.
Before the work starts
Most invoicing problems are really agreement problems. Before starting, agree in writing:
- the scope and deliverables,
- the price (hourly, daily or fixed),
- a deposit for larger projects,
- payment terms and any late fee,
- how many revision rounds are included.
Hourly vs project billing
| Hourly | Project (fixed fee) | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Open-ended or ongoing work | Well-defined deliverables |
| Invoice shows | Hours × rate per task | The deliverable and price |
| Risk | Client worries about hours | You carry the risk of overruns |
Either way, your hourly rate is the floor you price from.
What to put on a freelance invoice
- Your name or business name, contact details and tax number if registered
- Client name, company and billing address
- Invoice number, date and due date
- Clear line items (“Blog posts × 4, 1,200 words each”)
- Total, any deposit already paid and the balance due
- How to pay you
The freelance invoice template is set up this way already.
Getting paid faster
- Invoice immediately when work is delivered.
- Take deposits, typically 30–50%, on larger projects, and record them in “Amount Paid” on the final invoice.
- Use short terms: Net 7 or Net 14 rather than Net 30.
- Make paying easy: bank details and a payment link.
- Follow up the day after the due date. Be friendly and direct.
- Keep a history so you always know who owes what. Our tool keeps it in your browser sidebar, with paid/unpaid status.
A simple monthly routine
- Invoice all completed work by the last working day.
- Check your history for unpaid invoices and send reminders.
- Download a backup of your invoices.
- Put money aside for taxes from every payment.