How to send invoices to clients?

slovik

Hey guys,

I've been asked for an animation freelance job. And I'm wondering how should I send invoices to my client? My client agreed to pay me in 3milestones, so should I send an invoice every milestone or I can just send an invoice for all 3 milestones at the end when I finish the job?

Thanks a lot!

danr

Invoice for each one. That’s the point of milestones  - it’s a signed-off measure of satisfaction with the agreed work at that point in time. Never give someone the opportunity to change their mind that they’re happy with the work done. 

Ruz

send the money to me , i will invest it wisely in bitcoins:0

slovik

@danr thank you for your advice. I've just searched on Google, there's some opinion that we should send a total invoice the moment the contract is signed, just to notice the client when and how much should be paid for. And then we can send invoices for each milestones til the end. What do you think?

danr

If you’re working milestones, then the milestone schedule should be in the contract itself really, with a clause saying it’ll be changed only by mutual agreement. 

slovik

@danr thanks a lot man!!

Eric Chadwick

You really need to read up on contracts etc. A bit of research now will pay off in reducing frustration with jobs gone bad and lost clients.

See the sticky in this forum section. Though if you only want to read one thing, let it be this (from the Freelance wiki page): 

• Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines  an excellent resource for freelancers (and salarymen too). Pricing guidelines, legal info, copyright law, sample contracts, how to negotiate, and more. Highly recommended!

slovik

@Eric Chadwick thank you for your advice I already read the book you mentioned but, well correct me if you wrong but first it tells things related to graphic design more than animation, which is just a very small part of a very huge book. Second, sure thing it taught me a lot about contracts and invoices but I can't find anything about how an invoice should be send. That's why I came here to ask you guys

Eric Chadwick

Understandable. I recommend you check out the sticky anyway, especially the Freelance wiki page. Some great info there about invoicing, etc.

slovik

@Eric Chadwick thanks Eric. Let me take a look.