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Invoices

M

marketweis

Is there a "standard" template that is to be followed for an invoice? I'm at the point now where I'm going to have to actually put one together and am looking for the essentials to inlcude.

Also, is it too anal to get client signature's before doing work...or do you just do it and bill 'em later?

AND....how long is the general accepted length of time to give the client to pay in full, before you have to put the clamps down on them to pay up?

Thanks.
 
The invoice is a trial and error method. Obviously you'll need date, client name, address, your name and billing address, project name, type and length. I've just created a template in Microsoft Word that has this info and my logo at the top. Then I fill in the fields. Some clients might require PO numbers or various other elements but you can always add those in later.

I've never had a hard and fast rule about when clients pay. If don't hear from them in 30 days, I'll just resubmit the invoice with a note saying something to the effect of " sent this last month but just in case you didn't get it, I'm resubmitting it. If it's in the process of payment, just disregard." I've never had a problem with non payment.

Obviously you can tweak your policies as you go along, just don't make it too difficult for the client to do business with you.
 
I have all the info as FMDAWG mentioned. I do add at the bottom, in bold, "Please remit payment within 30 days from invoice date".

Never had an issue with my regulars.
 
Thanks for the input so far guys.

I know one guy I asked who said he gives 90 days for the client to pay. That seems too long to me. I was thinking 30 days myself but didn't kow if that was too aggressive.
 
I've created one in Excell that you're welcome to use, just send me your email address and I'll send it to you..
just change the names of the innocent and then "save as" and you'll be golden and it's usually 30 Days net before payment is due..

Larson
[email protected]
 
I've always done 60 days for VO work or spot production...Rarely a problem.
 
I use Quickbooks and it has invoice templates so I just inserted my logo and customized a few fields and I was done.

All of my retainer work plainly states in the contract that checks are to be mailed on the 1st of each month. So far that hasn't really been a problem.

Other stuff, it just depends. For "professional" guys like ad agencies etc I usually do net 30 but have had one ask for 60 days. That's cool. I make the podcaster and online guys that contact me pay upfront (some of them have a habit of disappearing overnight).
 
Scott Larson said:
I've created one in Excell that you're welcome to use, just send me your email address and I'll send it to you..
Click to expand...

Scott-

Thanks for the offer. I should be able to create a pretty decent one with what I have on my computer...now that I know what particulars people are including on theirs. I just really wanted to make sure that I wasn't overlooking anything that other folks consider must haves on theirs.
 
I have a "little disclaimer" that is in 6 point type at the bottom..for retail clients mostly. It allows me to "terminate the usage license in event of non-payment" and also gives me the right to "compensatory relief" for all legal fees and expenses incurred. I have only been burned three times in nealry 4 decades! Not bad! In one case I had not been paid in 8 months, and I called the radio stations running the spots and "terminated the usage license" by cancelling the spot schedule. The client (a chain of furniture stores) paid me directly..and still uses me to this day..nearly 10 years later.
 
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