Put your payment info directly on the invoice - account details, payment links, whatever makes it easy. Don’t make clients dig around to figure out how to pay.
For bigger companies, I send a copy straight to accounting too. The person who hired you usually isn’t writing the checks.
Just add a payment tracking column to whatever system you’re already using. Mark stuff as sent, reminded, or paid. Takes seconds and you’ll know exactly who needs a follow-up.
Stop emailing invoices. Hand it to them when you finish the job - right there on site. They can’t lose it or claim they never got it. I collect payment immediately for smaller jobs. Bigger jobs get the invoice with a handshake and reminder about when it’s due. People respect you more when you ask face to face instead of hiding behind emails.
Switched to progress invoicing on bigger jobs - way better than waiting for one huge payment at the end. I break projects into chunks and bill after finishing each part.
Like on a $5000 job, I’ll send four $1250 invoices throughout the project instead of one massive bill. Clients handle smaller amounts easier, and I’m not stuck waiting forever for payment.
Bookkeeping’s simpler too. Regular smaller payments beat those huge gaps between checks.
Always ask about their payment schedule upfront now. Some companies only do checks twice a month or have crazy approval hoops. Knowing this helps you time invoices right.