Sending An Invoice Through 17hats

Seven Must-Includes For Invoices

No matter whether you just booked your very first client, or you have been in business for ten years, you must convey professionalism. Your clients want to feel assured that they are working with a standout in the industry. One of the best ways to do this is by sending clear, concise, and professional-looking invoices.

Every contact point with your clients should elevate their experience working with you, and demonstrate that you are an expert in your field. Invoices are overlooked as a way to show your expertise, but they shouldn’t be! Every touchpoint with your clients is an opportunity to wow them! 

Here are seven things your invoices should include:

1. Your Contact Information

It’s essential to make it as easy as possible for your clients to reach you. (That goes double for invoices, if you want to get paid.) Include your mailing address, phone number, and email address so your clients can contact you if questions arise.

Even better, include your client’s contact information on the invoice as well. You should add your client’s name (or company name) and billing address.

2. An Invoice number

No matter the invoicing system you use, each invoice should have a unique number. Assigning a unique number to each invoice will make record keeping easier for both you and your clients, especially if you send multiple invoices to the same client. 

Bonus tip: If you aren’t using a system like 17hats to accept online payments – which is definitely something to consider – be sure to document the check number that a client uses to pay a particular invoice.

17hats lets you note both the client’s check number and bank account into which the check was deposited. Additionally, 17hats lets you note if the payment was made in cash or by a gift card.

Remember, clean record keeping is critical to running a successful business!

3. Descriptions of each product or service

Your clients need to know what you are invoicing them for. For that reason alone, it’s important to include brief descriptions of each invoiced product or service.

But including those line items serves another purpose too. It’s an opportunity to reiterate why you are the best at what you do!

Consider including fun descriptions of the services and products that you provided. Remind them of the value that you delivered. You want clients to pay you happily (not grudgingly), eager to do business with you again.

4. A due date

Invoices need to include a due date. If you don’t include a due date, your clients won’t know when to pay you! Sending “open-ended” invoices leads to confusion for your clients.

Bonus tip: Give your clients enough notice about invoice due dates for them to prepare accordingly. If you don’t accept online payments, you will need to bake in time for the mail to reach you.

5. An issue date

Some of your clients may need to reference the date that an invoice was issued – that is, when you submitted the invoice to your client. So be sure to include this date somewhere.

You also may need to reference an issue date, especially if there’s a dispute involving an invoice.

6. A personalized message thanking your clients

17hats allows you to include a customized message for your clients at the bottom of each invoice. Don’t underestimate the importance of this personal touch.

The footer is a space to thank your clients for working with you and showcase some of your brand personality!

Your clients should be immediately aware of which company has issued them an invoice. The easiest way to do that is to include your logo on your invoice.

At a glance, your clients will recognize your branding and know that the invoice is associated with you. Because you’ve been so wonderful to work with, your clients will be happy to see your invoices come across their desks!

Invoices are a great opportunity to convey professionalism and to present your company in a positive light.
Using 17hats lets you easily create invoice templates that check all the boxes your clients have. That helps to get you paid more quickly. Cha-ching!