Reminder Invoices....when to send out? - Page 2 - Virtual Assistant Forums

#8 (**permalink**) 07-04-2008

Wow: Tess, Tamika, Shauna & Mary: Thank you for the comments all around. I think the bottom line is that my coach has suggested charging retainer fee's to any new clients. The reason being, I have a couple of clients that pay a retainer fee, and getting paid by them has never been an issue. I of course would not want to turn down any hourly work that might come my way, but in my area I am not finding a lot of people if any that are advertising on Craig's List for VA's. I would really like to stick with working for other small business people that want to grow their businesses, and not look to hire someone full-time. I also have to say, I think it's ironic that we all have experienced clients that are firm about getting paid by their clients, but that will dance around paying us on-time for their services. They aren't sowing very good seed that way.
Kailu

#9 (**permalink**) 07-04-2008

Retainer fees are the way to go. Hourly clients you could require a 2-hour deposit before starting work.

Sue

#10 (**permalink**) 07-09-2008

People are late paying there invoices sometimes this happens, I understand but when it becomes a regular occurrence it gets old fast. This is one downside to owning your own business, although I did work at a place once where my paychecks were always late. I left that job in a hurry.

I would send out the reminder notice the day after the invoice was late with a note stating that you will resume services once the account is brought up to date. It is important to set a president and not get sucked into doing things for FREE people will take advantage of your good nature, trust me I have been there.

You try to do the right thing by the client and you get sucked in and before long you have way too much time invested in there business and they owe you money. This is not the position you want to be in.

Good Luck,
Kim

#11 (**permalink**) 07-10-2008

Originally Posted by Shauna View Post

I guess a question that could be asked here is: how do you accept payments? Do you find some types of payments to be slower (check in the mail) as opposed to sending email invoices?

I have my business process set up to bill by email, and I find that if they have an easy button to push and pay, I will get my payments quicker.

what kind of software do you have that offers this in an email? I am just collecting information here in hopes of starting my own business soon and would love to set up something where the clients would receive their invoice via email and have the option to pay online. Is it set up like a paypal acct?

#12 (**permalink**) 07-10-2008

Quickbooks allows you to send invoices via email directly from the program

#13 (**permalink**) 07-10-2008

Originally Posted by kimbeckers

Quickbooks allows you to send invoices via email directly from the program

I did know that, but does it also offer the option to include a "pay now" button on the email? If so is it set up through a pay pal acct?

#14 (**permalink**) 07-10-2008

I believe there is instruction directly on the Paypal site for how to use QB and Paypal together...there was a thread about that very topic on here somewhere... I'll see if I can find it for you (otherwise, just search Paypal's FAQ)