Free invoice template
Free freelance writing invoice template
Freelance writers bill in many ways: per word, per piece, per hour or on a monthly retainer. The invoice needs to show which one you agreed, name the pieces so the editor can match them to the assignment and carry the right payment terms. The template below mixes the most common units in one monthly invoice.
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Invoice total:
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What goes on it
What to put on an invoice for freelance writers
- The title or description of each piece, so the editor can match it to the assignment
- The unit you billed: words, a flat fee per piece, hours or a monthly retainer
- Word counts if you bill per word, as delivered or as agreed in the contract
- Extras: rewrites, rush work, research and interviews, billed as their own lines
- The rights granted, such as first publication or full ownership
- A purchase order or assignment number if the client uses one
- Payment terms, your payment details and a W-9 or tax form note where needed
How you bill
How freelance writers bill
Per-word rates are common for editorial work, and per-piece flat fees are common for blogs, website copy and newsletters. Hourly is used for editing, research and rewrites. Monthly retainers fit writers who produce a steady stream of content for one client. Whichever you pick, put it on the invoice in the same form as the contract, so there is no doubt about the number.
Magazines and media companies often pay 30 to 60 days after publication, so state the due date and follow up. A kill fee, a reduced payment when a piece is cancelled after delivery, is worth asking for and invoicing as its own line. Retainer clients are a good fit for recurring invoices, created for you each month.
Get paid faster
Tips to get paid faster
- Quote the assignment title and number exactly as the editor gave it. Their accounts team pays what they can match.
- Invoice on delivery or on acceptance, whichever the contract says, rather than waiting for the publication date.
- Charge for rush work and heavy rewrites. A clear rate for each change request protects your time.
- Keep your tax details ready, like a W-9 for US clients, and attach them to the first invoice.
- Send a friendly reminder the day after the due date. Editors are busy, and a nudge works.
Watch out
Common invoice mistakes
- Billing per word without agreeing how words are counted
- Not stating the rights you are selling, which can cause trouble when a piece is reused
- Waiting for publication to invoice and then waiting again for payment
Save, send and get paid
Save, send and get paid with Jiffy.
This generator makes one PDF. The Jiffy app keeps every invoice, sends it for you and helps you get paid. Start on Free: 3 invoices a month, no end date.
A payment link on every invoice
Your client opens the invoice and pays by card or Apple Pay on Pro and Ultra, straight to your own Stripe account. On Free they pay by bank transfer with your details. Online payments
Reminders that chase for you
Send a reminder with one tap on every plan. Pro and Ultra add an automatic schedule that stops the moment the invoice is paid. Payment reminders
Estimates your client signs
Send an estimate, let your client sign it on their phone, then turn it into an invoice with one tap. Included in Free. Estimates
Invoice by voice on Ultra
Say the client, the work and the price. Jiffy writes the invoice and sends it when you tap. Voice invoicing
Other trades
Templates for other trades
More for your trade
FAQ
Questions
What should a freelance writing invoice include?
Your details, the client and contact, a description of each piece, the unit and rate, word counts, extras, rights, any PO number, the total, due date and payment details.
How do I bill per word?
Add a line per article with the word count as the quantity and your per-word rate as the price. The total is calculated for you.
When should I send the invoice?
As soon as the piece is delivered or accepted, depending on your contract. Do not wait for publication unless the contract says so.
Is this freelance writing template free?
Yes. Fill it in here and download the PDF with no account.
Not here? Email us: [email protected]
Whatever you do, get paid for it.
Start free with 3 invoices a month, quotes and e-signatures. Free has no end date.