Step 1 — Create the invoice
Fill in all required fields: your name and address, the client's name and address, an invoice number, the date, a clear description of work or products delivered, and the total amount due. Use TodaysInvoice to generate a clean PDF in under a minute.
Step 2 — Choose your payment terms
State when you expect payment. Common terms are:
- Due on receipt — payment expected immediately.
- Net 7 / Net 14 / Net 30 — payment due within 7, 14, or 30 days of the invoice date.
- End of month (EOM) — payment due by the last day of the month in which the invoice was issued.
The shorter the terms, the faster you get paid. Net 14 is a reasonable default for most freelance work.
Step 3 — Send the invoice
Email is the most common method. Attach the PDF and write a brief, professional message in the body — something like:
Hi [Name], please find attached invoice #[number] for [service], due [date]. Let me know if you have any questions.
Always send to the right person. In a larger company that may be accounts payable rather than your direct contact.
Step 4 — Follow up on overdue invoices
If the due date passes without payment, send a polite reminder. Most late payments are the result of the invoice being overlooked, not deliberately ignored. A short, friendly nudge is usually all it takes.
If payment is more than two weeks overdue, follow up by phone as well as email. For persistent non-payment, consider adding a late fee clause to future invoices.
Tips for faster payment
- Invoice immediately — do not wait until the end of the month.
- Include multiple payment options (bank transfer, card, PayPal).
- Remind clients of the due date in your follow-up email a few days before it arrives.
- Keep records of every invoice sent and when it was paid.