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- Go to Laziness About Invoices - Getting on the Ball, or Getting the Ball Rolling
Funny, you should say that...
When I first started doing invoices, I felt terrible every single time. These days I have found a way that works for me. I label it 'Timesheet, instead of 'Invoice' and do the rest exactly like an invoice.
I actually get paid! :)
posted by
Wordwizard
on June 22, 2005 at 8:29 AM
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Thankfully, I've only been asked to provide an
invoice once. I believe I got paid. Gotta watch that, otherwise you'll have more money owed to you than you are collecting.
posted by
word.smith
on June 21, 2005 at 8:07 PM
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Writing freelance IS a business. It's becoming more so. Since it is a business, we need the invoices and so on to keep track of what we earn and what it costs us.
I use a spreadsheet as a database, as well as various folders to keep track of what I write. The spreadsheet also helps generate invoices - it can work with time, quantity of words, number of pages, etc. so I can determine what the true costs of writing a piece are, and bill a client depending on how they prefer the invoice to read. (Sometimes, the time for research will work out to give $2 per word for an article.)
Some clients prefer to pay direct (no invoice), and send a cheque, or pay directly into my bank account or into PayPal. They're harder to keep track of, but they usually are paying a retainer or an equivalent - they drop money in regularly.
The big problem with writing as a business is that you have so many "rights" to sell, from all rights through to serial (usage) rights. And every piece sold has to be marked accordingly.
posted by
L.E.Gant
on June 21, 2005 at 1:27 PM
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thanks,
tomorrow about the Maasai I met in Kenya
Dirk
posted by
brabander
on June 21, 2005 at 9:24 AM
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Here we have to keep records of what we earn etc and the best way to do that is by invoices. I don't know how strict the tax people in the States are, but I sure don't want to fall foul of the tax people here.
posted by
Ca88andra
on June 21, 2005 at 4:55 AM
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DwW, What concerns me about Tom C. is the old axom, What goes up...
posted by
kingmi
on June 20, 2005 at 10:12 PM
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i think you sound incredibly organized already.....:) how long have you been freelancing?
posted by
mmm-w
on June 20, 2005 at 9:07 PM
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Dances,
THIS IS ALL NEW TO ME, BUT SINCE I AM GETTING MY FEET WET, I BETTER CHECK IT OUT!
posted by
Original_Influence
on June 20, 2005 at 8:37 PM
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