Invoicing: How to Put Your Mighty Invoice to Work

 Here’s one thing just about all small business owners have in common: the need to send invoices. Whether you sell handmade products or offer targeted client services, invoices are key to keeping your business afloat. Problem is, plenty of folks who work for themselves don’t realize, or leverage, the true power of this all-important tool.

Sure, we all know invoices are a direct line to payment. But they’re also a critical communication device that can help you get paid on time (or even early!), every time. An effective invoice builds your brand, strengthens client relationships and keeps you at the top of the list whenever your customer needs help.

Not sure how to put the almighty invoice to work? Read on.

1. Make it personal

These days, information-overload is ubiquitous. No wonder it’s easy to overlook or ignore a standard grey email or a dull printed page. Good news is your invoice doesn’t have to be forgettable. In fact, it shouldn’t be. A personalized, thoughtfully designed invoice stands out in a cluttered inbox or an ever-growing pile of papers.

Here are two tips to help your invoice attract a whole lot of attention.

Name drop. Just as using someone’s name in conversation keeps people focused on what you’re saying and makes them more receptive to your message, personalizing your invoice helps it get noticed. Here are four names you should consider including on every invoice:

1. The company you are billing

2. The person processing the invoice

3. Your manager or point of contact

4. Your company and/or your self

Comment, please. A comment box is the perfect place to include a friendly but professional message (keep it short and sweet!) to your client or customer. Five ideas for filling the comment box:

1. Thank you!

2. My favorite aspect of this project was …

3. I thought you might enjoy this fascinating link to … (information related to the topic or industry)

4. Here’s the contact info for a professional [fill in the blank] I think you’d enjoy working with …

5. I’d love the opportunity to work together again in the future!

2. Make it professional

You may not have thought about it, but your invoice is your final point of communication with a client (before they hire you for their next big project, that is!). In this context, an invoice is an important tool for brand building, marketing and engagement. So it pays to make sure this document reflects your professional, organized, detail-oriented approach to work. Three things to keep in mind:

Design matters. A well-laid out invoice is straightforward, easy to read and enjoyable to look at (no matter how big your bill!). When it also showcases your logo and reinforces your brand presence, your invoice keeps your business top of mind – so you’re already a step ahead of the competition.

Readability matters. When it comes to choosing fonts and colors, make sure yours are easy to read. Yellow is dandy for daffodils, and swirly scripts are sweet in a love letter – but keep ‘em out your hard-working invoice.

Mistakes matter. Typos, misspellings and other seemingly small mistakes indicate sloppiness, not professionalism. Check your invoice before you send it and catch those not-so-insignificant errors.

3. Make it work

Now that we’ve covered some invoicing fundamentals, let’s talk about how to leverage the full power of this awesome tool. If you’re using an automated money management platform you’ll be able to get loads of insights about billing patterns and practices, as well as easily track the status of your invoices. Here are our top six tips for getting the most out of every invoice:

• Invoice on time, every time. When you bill consistently every week, month or otherwise, you subtly, yet effectively, remind your customers you expect prompt, regular payment, too.
• Avoid ambiguity. The way you organize your invoice should be as consistent as your billing schedule. If a client is confused about the total bill or when payment is due, your money may be MIA.
• Set clear expectations. Late payments are a hassle at best. At worst, they can leave you in a financial bind. Best bet? Negotiate all terms, including fees for overdue payment, up front.
• Reward early payments. If your client is eager to pay ahead of schedule, consider offering a meaningful discount to incentivize this excellent behavior. (On a related note, your late-payment penalty should also be significant enough to inspire a change of behavior!)
• Simplify payment processing. Paypal, Venmo and Apple Pay are just three of countless money management platforms that streamline payment with just a click, tap or swipe.
• Automate (almost) everything. Every aspect of invoicing is easier, faster and more consistent when you have a streamlined, automated system. You’ll be able to quickly track client behavior around receiving and remitting payments, too, which means you can adjust your billing strategy accordingly. More time, less effort? Sounds like a win-win.

Want to learn even more about effective invoicing and find out what challenges and successes other members of the QB Community have shared? Check out these helpful posts:

Why Should I Customize My Invoices? 

Money Matters: Boost Your Cash Flow In Three Simple Steps

Invoice Overhaul: Make It Easy for Customers to Pay on Time

Why Personalized Invoices Matter and How to Create Them

Before you go

QB Community members, when it comes to asking for (and receiving!) payment, what’s your biggest frustration? Thanks for telling us how you’ve dealt with this all-important aspect of your business.