I just signed up for Paypal and they have an invoice option. So correct me if I wrong here, but I can either send them and e-mail with the amount or send them an invoice. Is there an additional cost for the invoices? or the same as sending an invoice? Would be easy for me to print these invoices and track or should I just use them as a back up?

Thanks!

I send my invoices from PayPal when I request payment.

I bill for my services using the invoice templates I have set up and email the client directly from PayPal. The client remits payment from that invoice which provides a link to that invoice back to my account.

I don't use paper or send any additional invoices via regular email but I know that some VAs do. Others use accounting software such as Freshbooks or Quickbooks which allows for a PayPal link within the invoice to be sent to the client for payment.

When I need to refer to a past invoice I just open up PayPal and look that invoice up so there is no need for paper or back up. PayPal offers reporting of transactions so I may download and print and keep an annual copy.

Some VAs have PayPal merchant accounts which offers other options.

Janine

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I use PayPal as well and there is no additional charge to send an invoice with the basic account. I try to keep things as paperless as possible and I store the paid Paypal details electronically in the clients file.

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Shannon R. Baker
Socially Savvy V.A.

Wonderful! You have answered my question, thanks so much I really appreciate it.

I have been using Paypal for my client invoices for just about a year and it is very convenient. My issue is getting clients to pay their bill on time. I bill my clients once a month on the last day of the month with the bill due UPON RECEIPT

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Leighanne Burnett

Leighanne,

Originally Posted by Admin Leighanne

My issue is getting clients to pay their bill on time. I bill my clients once a month on the last day of the month with the bill due UPON RECEIPT

1) Did you take a deposit from these clients? Make sure you have because if they don't pay you, then you are stuck without any revenue for work completed.

2) Do you have a payment policy in place? If so, send a general email explaining those policies and that you will begin implementing late payment fees and so on effective such and such date.

3) Explain that work will not continue unless payment is received per the contract terms which are payable upon receipt.

4) Ask the client if there is something you can do to help with making their billing easier for them? In other words, if you bill on the 30th for the next month, ask if billing them on the 25th of each month will mean payment will be received by the 30th.

If they are not paying you on time with the terms agreed upon it often means they feel that they can. Do they pay their light bill on time? What are the consequences for not paying the mortgage? Running a VA business is the same concept and it is important to educate clients that you deserve the same respect as the light company or the bank.

Nothing burns me up more than a late or a slow payer. I give 48 hours to pay although my terms are upon receipt. I give a little leeway but at 48 hours, work ceases.

Good luck!

Janine

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SORRY -HIT SENT ACCIDENTALLY AND WASN'T ACTUALLY FINISHED ...

I have been using Paypal for my client invoices for just about a year and it is very convenient. My issue is getting clients to pay their bill on time.

I bill my clients once a month on the last day of the month with the bill due UPON RECEIPT yet only 1/3 of them actually pay within a day of receiving the invoice. So I am contemplating making a change next month where my clients all have to have a credit card with my on file - I will send the invoices on the last day of the month and will charge their cards on the 1st of the month. Then I will receive all payments on time so I can then better plan when I can pay MY bills and not have to wait for my payments to dribble in .... do any of you handle payments like that? I am currently do this with one of my client (my original client actually) as trial and it's working great so tink I'm going to roll this out to the rest of them.

Would love to hear your feedback.

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Leighanne Burnett

This is an excellent process, Janine. Thanks for sharing.

I forgot to add that, yes, I use PayPal invoices. I, too, find it convenient and like the fact that I can run reports through PayPal.

I have been using Freshbooks.com for the past 2 years, and could not do without them!

You create your invoice in Freshbooks and the client pays through PayPal - from there, you have full records of all invoices you have sent out, when, how much ... in Freshbooks etc.

Love Freshbooks! Another thing, their client support Rocks! - not an affiliate here! - but should be

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Christiane Jechoux / Certified Social Media & Internet Marketing Consultant
Virtual Managing Associates