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How to invoice as a freelancer (step by step)

Getting paid starts with a clear, professional invoice. Here's exactly what to send — and how to send it in under a minute.

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What every invoice needs

• Your business name and contact info (and tax ID if you have one)
• Your client's name and address
• A unique invoice number (e.g., INV-1001) for your records
• Issue date and due date — set clear payment terms (Net 14 is common)
• Line items: a short description, quantity, and price for each service
• Subtotal, tax, and total due in one obvious place
• Payment instructions: how you'd like to be paid

Steps

1. Fill in your business and your client's details.
2. Add each service as a line item with a quantity and price.
3. Add tax or a discount if needed — the total updates automatically.
4. Write clear payment terms in the notes (due date + how to pay).
5. Download the PDF and email it to your client.

How to get paid faster

• Send the invoice the same day you finish the work.
• Keep due dates short and state them plainly ("Payment due within 14 days").
• Number your invoices so both sides can reference them.
• Send a polite reminder a few days before the due date.

Create your invoice free →

Prefer it branded? Minuteman Invoice Pro ($39 one-time) adds your logo, unlimited saved clients, and estimates — with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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