Lately, I’ve been branching out to new industries with my freelance work. It’s got me wondering about invoice terms. Do they vary much across different fields?
I’ve always used net 30 for my design clients, but now I’m doing some writing gigs too. Not sure if I should stick to what I know or adjust.
Invoice terms don’t change much between industries. I’ve used net 30 for years across different jobs. It’s simple and works.
For writing gigs, stick with net 30. If a client wants something else, they’ll say so. Then you can decide if it works for you.
The key is getting paid on time, not obsessing over terms. Make your invoice clear, send it promptly, and follow up if it’s late. That matters more than the exact number of days.
Just keep it straightforward. Net 30 is standard enough that most clients won’t question it.
Nah, invoice terms don’t really matter much. I just send 'em when the job’s done. Most folks pay up pretty quick anyway. If they don’t, I just give 'em a call. Keeps things simple.
Yeah, invoice terms can definitely shift between industries. I’ve found it varies a lot. Some key differences I’ve noticed:
Tech tends to be quick, often net 15 or even upon receipt
Creative fields like design often use net 30
Construction and manufacturing can stretch to net 60 or 90
When I branch out, I usually:
Ask other freelancers in that space
Check with the client about their standard terms
Adjust my own terms if needed, but not too drastically
It’s a balancing act. You want to fit the industry norm, but also need to protect your cash flow. If net 30 works for you, it’s probably fine for writing too. Just be ready to flex a bit if a client pushes back.
In my experience, invoice terms do vary between industries, but not as much as you might think. I’ve stuck with net 30 for most of my clients across different fields.
For writing gigs, net 30 should work fine. I did some copywriting on the side a while back and used the same terms as my main business. No one batted an eye.
That said, I’ve noticed tech companies often prefer shorter terms. Had a software client once who wanted net 15. We compromised on net 21.
Big corporations sometimes push for longer terms, like net 45 or 60. I avoid those when I can. Cash flow gets tricky.
My advice? Start with your usual net 30 for writing jobs. If a client asks for different terms, you can always adjust. Just make sure it works for your finances too.