Freelancing is not everyone’s cup of tea! Handling a business where a person is managing everything behind the desk from payments to delivering work on time, never missing a deadline, and accomplishing quality projects, comes with a price.
Here is what makes a freelancer worry. All the time and effort that a person puts in for a project and timely payments become their only concern. Freelancers need invoicing methods that can help them get paid quickly, and here is when we come in to give a brief explanation of how they can achieve timely payments.
So let’s get started with the eight effective ways that can get you paid faster. Below are the freelancer invoicing methods that can change your game! We will slowly take you to what’s in trend and how you can manage your business with the intended cash flow.
- The age-old and ever-friendly methods! Banks & Checks
- Online Payment Gateways & Platforms
- Invest in an Invoice Software
- Make Impressive Invoices
- Immaculately Describe the Invoice to Avoid Payment Disputes
- Be Prompt in Creating Invoices Quickly
- Polite Payment Reminders
- Smart Billing Software
1. The age-old and ever-friendly methods! Banks & Checks
We cannot ignore the traditional methods which are safe and secure that are bank transfers or payments by checks. These evergreen methods can never go out of trend, but there is a tad bit problem here. Usually, when clients have to make bank transfers or send checks, they tend to be lazy. Why is that? God knows, but it is quite common when freelancers hear from their clients that there is a delay in the payment because their accountant forgot to put the check in the bank or are waiting to pay all employees together for the cycle to finish.
So what can you do to solve this problem? We say, ditch the outdated system of bank transfers and checks and get invoicing software instead.
To get paid faster, you should terms and conditions in the form of a policy of the type of business you run and send to your client before getting a project. It should speak of the payment methods you will accept where you can give different options and negate the checks if you would like.
2. Online Payment Gateways & Platforms
Nothing is faster than stepping online and receiving your long due payment. Often people fear, that payments online are not secure and someone, may hack the system, and get sensitive information or empty the bank. Well, to have fears is normal, but it is baseless in today’s world of technology.
Online payment platforms and gateways spend thousands of dollars to make their system impenetrable for hackers. It saves regulates the probability of fishing links on their software so that you do not get redirected to the wrong address where your information can jeopardize. When you chose a secure platform that uses a high-quality gateway system, do not worry about losing your money.
Also, you make it easy for the client to pay you for your services. It is easy for the client to send money online rather than make a bank or a wire transfer. Why so? You may think bank transfer is online too. But, think from the client’s perspective.
He has so much to do throughout his day, adding a beneficiary on his account and then waiting for the bank to get approval and then makes the payment and involves too many steps. It becomes one of the reasons why your payments get delayed. Make it easy for the client, where with just one click, he can transfer the money to your account.
It can only happen if one uses an online platform as in this way, you and the client both are already registered users, which makes payment transfers to be legally safe and secure.
3. Invest in an Invoice Software
We cannot stress this point enough! It is that umbrella on a rainy day that can save you from a lot of trouble. Freelancer invoicing becomes so easy with an invoice software that you can manage your records right there in one place. From bookkeeping, tax filing, customizing invoices, cash flow management, outstanding amounts, paid amounts, all one can check anywhere on their phones.
4. Make Impressive Invoices
Oh yes! How can we let go of this one? Impressive invoices give the idea of how serious you are about your business. A client will only take you seriously if you show that punctual behavior, that poise, professional talks, and impressive invoices. It helps to set an impression of your working style. Your client cannot be physically present like that in an office environment. Your work can only prove your value, and part of that is sending invoices that are well designed and transparent about the duties you carried out.
5. Immaculately Describe the Invoice to Avoid Payment Disputes
Freelancers miss out on one prominent step, which is describing the invoices immaculately so that you can avoid payment disputes. Leave no room for errors and questions. The more transparent you stay, the better will be the chances of getting paid quickly.
Do know that once you send the invoice, don’t expect the client to pay you more if you miss out on something. All you did for a project to complete, from research to things you included and the time it took, should be presented well.
6. Be Prompt in Creating Invoices Quickly
Are you taking too much time to create invoices? Well, that’s ten steps in a backward direction. Be prompt! Send an estimate of the invoice firstly so that the client knows what to expect. Also, one smart way of writing invoices is by creating one using an invoice software and by customizing it from time to time the way you approach the project side by side.
This way, as soon as you finish your project, your invoice will be ready too. You can always amend with a few minor changes which you may need to do at the time. Also, you will save spending days in figuring out what to include or exclude, and the probability of missing out on some service that you worked for in the project will reduce.
7. Polite Payment Reminders
Another way of getting paid faster is by sending payment reminders. Often clients ignore paying on the spot and will ask you for some time to clear the dues. Ask for a timeframe, and if they miss out on it, send a polite payment reminder with the invoice. A clever tactic! You can set a notification on the freelancer invoicing software that you use. In this way, you will also be able to keep track of the standing payments and dues.
8. Smart Billing Software
It is simply indispensable! The smart billing software that helps with inventory management, cash flow management, bookkeeping, customer support, creating invoices, offers secure payment gateways, and a ton of other services is what you need.
You, as a freelancer, must have the hold of your business, the way you want it, and a well-working freelancer invoicing method that you choose can solve a lot of your problem. We advise that to get paid quickly, the first step is to get the right invoice software for growing your business smartly.