Blogging today can be done beyond just keeping notes of one’s personal experiences. It can, in fact, become one’s main source of income and this can be achieved in a variety of ways. For example, you can do sponsored reviews of products and establishments or you can manage the blog of a business or company. One can do either of these or even both tasks as most freelancers do nowadays.

Apart from the writing aspect, one task that a blogger also needs to do on a regular basis is to issue an invoice to his or her clients. This is a must whether you are performing your work on a monthly, weekly or per project basis to maintain a steady flow of income.

Keep in mind that as a service provider, one needs to issue a professional looking invoice, although not many freelancers like this part. It is best to be updated with the type of invoice you provide your clients and to ensure that it details the jobs you do, the rates you charge and the payment method. Taxes should also be included, if applicable.

Invoicing should be manageable these days what with the existence of various software to help in this task such as Invoicehome. While some of them are the paid service, there are also those that are free to use. Choosing the right software can make a huge difference in creating professional invoices that can specify the work you’ve done and the money you are owed. This way, you can be sure that you’ll be paid on time.

Use the Appropriate Software

An online invoicing software is the most convenient to use today. In addition, it will help you easily monitor your clients and the amount you are owed for the work you’ve done.

While you may choose to start with a free software, keep in mind that its features may not fully meet your needs particularly when the volume of work you are managing increases. Eventually, it may be wise to invest in a paid software to ensure you have the advanced features it provides.

Create Your Own Policies

As a freelancer, you should take it upon yourself to come up with your own policies with regards to when and how clients should make their payments for the work you’ve accomplished. This is regardless whether you are working for them on a fixed schedule or on a per project basis. Be mindful that not all clients are prompt in paying freelancers to whom they outsource their much needed tasks.

Having a policy is ideal as it can guide you on how to deal with clients. Make sure to take into consideration several important factors such as the mode of payment you will use (cash or credit card), a downpayment by the client before you begin the work, the due date for payments, penalties for late payments and the delivery of work to client (if it is before or after making the final payment).

Be Specific About Your Charges

When charging fees, do think about them seriously and remember not to undercharge. It is never a good idea to quote lower prices just so you can attract more clients. When you set your fee, it needs to be in line with your skills. Clients are willing to pay for the price as long as they get quality work from you and on a consistent basis. If you set your fees lower than the others, you are more likely to attract cheap clients as well.

Depending on your preference and the work required, you can set a fixed fee such as for a project or you can also charge per hour. Be clear about your fees so you get the full trust of your client.

Specify Payment Method

Finally, be specific about the payment method you prefer. Many freelancers use PayPal but you may also choose to be paid directly to your credit card. Some clients also pay through direct deposit to the freelancer’s bank account. It depends on the convenience you prefer when receiving payment hence, it is a must that you state this in your contract.

These three tips are the basics you can follow when dealing with payments from your clients. You can choose to provide more details to your client based on your work requirements.

Originally posted on July 1, 2017 @ 10:30 pm