The whole category in one page.
THE SINGLE BIGGEST IMPROVEMENT
Invoice immediately. An invoice sent a month late is paid a month late.
WHAT EVERY INVOICE NEEDS
A unique number, a clear description, an actual due date, and payment details on the document itself.
TERMS
The shortest your customers will accept. Thirty days is a convention, not a rule.
State terms in your quote, not first on the invoice.
FOR NEW CUSTOMERS
A deposit, or payment in advance.
A customer unwilling to pay a deposit is telling you something.
THE MOST EFFECTIVE REMINDER
The one sent before the due date. Most late payment is oversight, not refusal.
WHEN CHASING
Ask for a payment date rather than for payment. Businesslike, not apologetic.
Email plus WhatsApp or a call, since email alone is frequently not read.
NEVER
Accept a screenshot as proof of payment Delete or edit a sent invoice Treat invoiced money as received
RECONCILE MONTHLY
Invoices against your bank. Discrepancies found monthly are fixable; found at year end they are archaeology.
