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If you do offline videos for local businesses, what do you usually send as an invoice?

by ATTENTION
10 replies
Do you just send a paypal link, or do you send a word doc with a list of itemized SEO methods you used along with the video to convey the value of your service rendered, or do you have a contract/agreement -- or do you just ask for a check, etc??
Wondering if there are some pros and cons or if there is something that definitely needs to be done when accepting or setting up payment.
Thanks!
#businesses #invoice #loacl #local #offline #send #videos
  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    A couple things...

    1. How you send the invoice isn't a big deal. But if sending a digital file use pdf vs. doc so it is not editable.

    2. Paypal or not depends on how they (and you) like to pay. If everything is going through Paypal I see no problem at all with a Paypal invoice.

    3. Do not over itemize. List the package or packages they bought not all the items done unless you are selling itemized services (which I would suggest against).

    4. Most Businesses do not want to know how you will do something. So when selling focus on the results of what you will do not the specifics. No one in real world business cares about 50 backlinks. They care about getting more customers because they will be found faster. Don't be a "Teller" because unless you are dealing with an engineer or someone into tech they simply don't care.
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    • Profile picture of the author Drakuul
      I usually just say that I can create a video that will show up when people search the business name on the internet. I tell them the price and say they can pay half now and half once they see the video, and even then it's been 90% by check. (just small local businesses so I guess that's what they always have been used to doing anyway). The other 10% or so is Paypal IF they ask if I'll do Paypal. I'm in a relatively small area, so almost every situation is face to face. On a larger scale, that may not be ideal.

      Later I'll show them that I also "programmed" their videos to appear when their category is searched as well (minor SEO that they usually appreciate). I only mention that later just in case I have a hard time getting it to page one, they weren't already expecting that. Funny, it never seems to matter to them one way or another in most cases.
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      • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
        Invoice? What is this "Invoice" you are talking about?

        They put it on their credit card (or write a check) when they buy, and then I create the videos. It's a paper order form that has all the services listed.

        I never send an invoice.
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        • Profile picture of the author Peter Lessard
          I have not delivered a service in 10 years that has not been prepaid. Clients stopped having an issue with it when I stopped being worried about it. I have had people hand me 25k checks after having a coffee with them. Of course my track record and references were in order but still at the beginning we tend to worry more about the process than we need to.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dexx
    I use Freshbooks to send the invoice/quote in advance of doing any work. They then pay online (or by cheque), prior to me delivering any work.

    Cheers,

    Dexx
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    • Profile picture of the author xstumpedx
      Originally Posted by Dexx View Post

      I use Freshbooks to send the invoice/quote in advance of doing any work. They then pay online (or by cheque), prior to me delivering any work.

      Cheers,

      Dexx
      I will 2nd that.
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  • Profile picture of the author 9999
    Freshbooks is amazing and simple to use. Check out Wave Accounting as well, which is free.
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    • Profile picture of the author wsands
      If you are face to face use an order form that specifically outlines what you are responsible for.

      Then take a check. Checks are better IMO or cash.

      If they prefer using a credit card, I've been torn on this one, I thought about getting one of those deals that plugs into your smartphone or just sending them an electronic invoice with paypal and they pay it online.

      I've had people "think twice" after I leave their office and either take a really long time to pay the invoice, or require a second appointment to close it up and have them pay the invoice while I'm in their office.

      You can't "think twice" on a check or cash. Even if they called me a couple hours later and wanted to cancel, I'd let them know "my designers are mostly completed with your video already, I know you will be impressed with their work". No one has ever called to cancel that has written me a check.

      Just my 2c anyhow
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  • Profile picture of the author WebdevelopmentGroup
    I invoice using my payment system plain & simple.
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  • Profile picture of the author Matt Lee
    I use fresh books as well.
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