Comments on: Web Worker 101: Creating Your First Invoice http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/ Rebooting the workforce Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:04:14 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: invotrak blog » Blog Archive » How to get paid on time http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-301196 invotrak blog » Blog Archive » How to get paid on time Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:35:15 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-301196 [...] first step is to cover the invoicing basics. The invoices you issue should always contain as much information as possible about the work you [...] [...] first step is to cover the invoicing basics. The invoices you issue should always contain as much information as possible about the work you [...]

]]> By: Web Worker Daily » Archive Web Worker 101: Cashflow Management « http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-294233 Web Worker Daily » Archive Web Worker 101: Cashflow Management « Fri, 02 May 2008 18:00:47 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-294233 [...] might also want to offer a small discount (2%) for payment when the invoice is received. Be sure to create invoices that will help you get paid promptly, and don’t be afraid to send invoice [...] [...] might also want to offer a small discount (2%) for payment when the invoice is received. Be sure to create invoices that will help you get paid promptly, and don’t be afraid to send invoice [...]

]]> By: Cosmina Stefanache http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-283379 Cosmina Stefanache Mon, 14 Jan 2008 14:08:59 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-283379 Hi Mike, Fanurio http://www.fanuriotimetracking.com helps with the less appealing aspects of freelancing like invoicing and keeping track of time. It’s a useful application with a user-friendly interface. Hi Mike,

Fanurio http://www.fanuriotimetracking.com helps with the less appealing aspects of freelancing like invoicing and keeping track of time. It’s a useful application with a user-friendly interface.

]]> By: Chris http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-280963 Chris Fri, 11 Jan 2008 23:39:21 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-280963 If you are a one person shop I'd like to recommend Time59. www.time59.com It handles time and expense tracking, invoicing, payments and is only $19.95 per YEAR for unlimited use. If you are a one person shop I’d like to recommend Time59.

http://www.time59.com

It handles time and expense tracking, invoicing, payments and is only $19.95 per YEAR for unlimited use.

]]> By: neil http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-158031 neil Mon, 27 Aug 2007 20:52:21 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-158031 As mentioned SideJobTrack is closed to new signups - I've also been unable to get support on an issue keeping me from logging in. As mentioned SideJobTrack is closed to new signups – I’ve also been unable to get support on an issue keeping me from logging in.

]]> By: Web Worker Daily » Blog Archive Open Thread: Handling Invoice Reminders « http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-152667 Web Worker Daily » Blog Archive Open Thread: Handling Invoice Reminders « Tue, 21 Aug 2007 18:00:39 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-152667 [...] Thread: Handling Invoice Reminders As an independent contractor, it’s not enough to invoice for the work you’re doing. You also have to make sure that your invoices get paid. In the best of all possible worlds, all of [...] [...] Thread: Handling Invoice Reminders As an independent contractor, it’s not enough to invoice for the work you’re doing. You also have to make sure that your invoices get paid. In the best of all possible worlds, all of [...]

]]> By: My Get Things Done List » Blog Archive » Back to School, Back to Work [Productivity @ Home] http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-152188 My Get Things Done List » Blog Archive » Back to School, Back to Work [Productivity @ Home] Tue, 21 Aug 2007 04:01:11 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-152188 [...] Creating Your First Invoice [...] [...] Creating Your First Invoice [...]

]]> By: Fresh Sunir http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-151754 Fresh Sunir Mon, 20 Aug 2007 17:12:57 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-151754 Sunir from FreshBooks here, Mike, this was really one of the best descriptions of how to create an invoice I've read so far. Patrick, thank you for the shout out. And hey, AJ! I don't want to disparage SideJobTrack, which is actually quite nice. However, R. Marie Cox has closed the service to new users as she has a wonderful new job at FaceBook that I am incredibly jealous of. http://www.artypapers.com/ap.log/thread.php?339 Also, I think <blockquote>But many web workers get by just fine with using a word processor or spreadsheet to bang out their own handcrafted invoices.</blockquote> does not stand up to the statistics. We do surveys now and then at FreshBooks, and we consistently find that each and every one of our customers makes more money by using FreshBooks than they spend. http://www.freshbooks.com/blog/2006/12/14/survey-results/ If you're just starting out, it may seem like overkill to use an invoicing service, but you will not regret it. <strong>Form good habits early.</strong> Tracking time accurately and sending invoices on time does not only make you look good to your sceptical client. We found that because our customers never forgot an hour they worked and they sent invoices the minute a project was completed, they on average collected 7% more revenue and got paid 8 days faster. So, not only will your client love you so much to refer you to new clients, but you will also earn more revenue per client. That is exactly the kind of thing you need when starting up and starving. Sunir from FreshBooks here,

Mike, this was really one of the best descriptions of how to create an invoice I’ve read so far. Patrick, thank you for the shout out. And hey, AJ!

I don’t want to disparage SideJobTrack, which is actually quite nice. However, R. Marie Cox has closed the service to new users as she has a wonderful new job at FaceBook that I am incredibly jealous of. http://www.artypapers.com/ap.log/thread.php?339

Also, I think

But many web workers get by just fine with using a word processor or spreadsheet to bang out their own handcrafted invoices.

does not stand up to the statistics. We do surveys now and then at FreshBooks, and we consistently find that each and every one of our customers makes more money by using FreshBooks than they spend.

http://www.freshbooks.com/blog/2006/12/14/survey-results/

If you’re just starting out, it may seem like overkill to use an invoicing service, but you will not regret it. Form good habits early. Tracking time accurately and sending invoices on time does not only make you look good to your sceptical client. We found that because our customers never forgot an hour they worked and they sent invoices the minute a project was completed, they on average collected 7% more revenue and got paid 8 days faster.

So, not only will your client love you so much to refer you to new clients, but you will also earn more revenue per client. That is exactly the kind of thing you need when starting up and starving.

]]> By: Patrick Allmond http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-150773 Patrick Allmond Sun, 19 Aug 2007 13:02:28 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-150773 Thanks for the article. Don't forget to look at the Freshbooks option in addition to the ones mentioned here (I have no affiliation). All of these are great options mentioned. But they are not ones I can use and you will find this out someday when you really start growing. They are just too simple, and as neat as they are they do imply a lot of double data entry outside of your accounting software. Yes - I am a QB addict. I need to manage things like subcontractors, and their line item vs what I bill for then, etc. These web solutions are great - but in the end you will always end up in an accounting program eventually. Thanks for the article. Don’t forget to look at the Freshbooks option in addition to the ones mentioned here (I have no affiliation). All of these are great options mentioned. But they are not ones I can use and you will find this out someday when you really start growing. They are just too simple, and as neat as they are they do imply a lot of double data entry outside of your accounting software. Yes – I am a QB addict. I need to manage things like subcontractors, and their line item vs what I bill for then, etc. These web solutions are great – but in the end you will always end up in an accounting program eventually.

]]> By: AJ http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-150114 AJ Sat, 18 Aug 2007 19:43:26 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-150114 On our site, we have an Invoice anatomy page which visually shows a lot of the points mentioned in the article above. http://www.billings2.com/anatomy/ We don't show the tax ID in that pictures, but it is just a click in the options to show it. This is a Mac only solution. You can get going in 5 minutes (we have a movie to prove it) and if you don't like the included templates, you can create your own or have us do it for you for a small fee. These templates can be made to preserve your brand identity. Sorry for the shameless plug. I couldn't resist. On our site, we have an Invoice anatomy page which visually shows a lot of the points mentioned in the article above.

http://www.billings2.com/anatomy/

We don’t show the tax ID in that pictures, but it is just a click in the options to show it.

This is a Mac only solution. You can get going in 5 minutes (we have a movie to prove it) and if you don’t like the included templates, you can create your own or have us do it for you for a small fee. These templates can be made to preserve your brand identity.

Sorry for the shameless plug. I couldn’t resist.

]]> By: J.T Dabbagian http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-150077 J.T Dabbagian Sat, 18 Aug 2007 18:36:13 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-150077 Not to sound like a n00b, but can you put up a sample invoice? Not to sound like a n00b, but can you put up a sample invoice?

]]> By: Clerical Solutions http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-150003 Clerical Solutions Sat, 18 Aug 2007 16:46:11 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-150003 Informative article. It's always good to reread an invoice and state things clearly even in bold letters so that there is no miss communication between you and your client. Clearly state all services or items in the invoice and why they are being charged. Informative article. It’s always good to reread an invoice and state things clearly even in bold letters so that there is no miss communication between you and your client. Clearly state all services or items in the invoice and why they are being charged.

]]> By: almostgotit http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-149486 almostgotit Sat, 18 Aug 2007 02:40:54 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-149486 Thanks for another great post, Mike, and it's always good to go over the basics one more time, even for those of us who've been doing it for a while. (For instance... wow, charging *interest!* Now that's a very interesting thought! Especially if terms are stated up-front. Sort of like conferences charging "late registration fees" -- the point being much more one of encouraging a prompt response than that of actually collecting any extra fees.) Several of my freelance colleagues and I have been discussing the merits of a related issue, and that is whether to charge anything upfront or to wait until the bitter end before collecting our first dollar. Personally, I've been burned once too often by clients who, having paid nothing, have every incentive to drag the process out as long as possible, "forgetting" to send me all the assets I need, asking for yet another revision, etc... and all the while, even if I've been doing the work, I've got aip to show for it. Our new policy, which is becoming industry standard, is to charge half up-front, thus literally splitting the investment between us and the client. Everyone's motivated to get the project finished this way, which means a faster end to Ramen Days... Thanks for another great post, Mike, and it’s always good to go over the basics one more time, even for those of us who’ve been doing it for a while. (For instance… wow, charging *interest!* Now that’s a very interesting thought! Especially if terms are stated up-front. Sort of like conferences charging “late registration fees” — the point being much more one of encouraging a prompt response than that of actually collecting any extra fees.)

Several of my freelance colleagues and I have been discussing the merits of a related issue, and that is whether to charge anything upfront or to wait until the bitter end before collecting our first dollar. Personally, I’ve been burned once too often by clients who, having paid nothing, have every incentive to drag the process out as long as possible, “forgetting” to send me all the assets I need, asking for yet another revision, etc… and all the while, even if I’ve been doing the work, I’ve got aip to show for it.

Our new policy, which is becoming industry standard, is to charge half up-front, thus literally splitting the investment between us and the client. Everyone’s motivated to get the project finished this way, which means a faster end to Ramen Days…

]]> By: GigaOM GigaNet Headlines…Friday « http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-149391 GigaOM GigaNet Headlines…Friday « Sat, 18 Aug 2007 00:30:47 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-149391 [...] by Carolyn Pritchard Friday, August 17, 2007 at 5:30 PM PT | No comments WebWorkerDaily: Web Worker 101 — How to create your first [...] [...] by Carolyn Pritchard Friday, August 17, 2007 at 5:30 PM PT | No comments WebWorkerDaily: Web Worker 101 — How to create your first [...]

]]> By: Mike Thatcher http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-149383 Mike Thatcher Sat, 18 Aug 2007 00:28:28 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-149383 A good place to get a jump start is the microsoft office templates page. (You pay the Microsoft Tax why not get a rebate... sorry) Here is the the url http://preview.tinyurl.com/26494h and here is the results page when you type the word invoice into search. http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/templates/results.aspx?qu=invoice&av=TPL000 Find something you like and modify it as the article details above. I really like the highlight box with a few bullet items in it. That is a ripper tip. A good place to get a jump start is the microsoft office templates page. (You pay the Microsoft Tax why not get a rebate… sorry)

Here is the the url
http://preview.tinyurl.com/26494h and here is the results page when you type the word invoice into search.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/templates/results.aspx?qu=invoice&av=TPL000

Find something you like and modify it as the article details above.

I really like the highlight box with a few bullet items in it.

That is a ripper tip.

]]> By: Derek http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-149194 Derek Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:16:05 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/17/web-worker-101-creating-your-first-invoice/#comment-149194 FYI - SideJobTrack is not taking new accounts an sends you to Blinksale. FYI – SideJobTrack is not taking new accounts an sends you to Blinksale.

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