Comments on: Why you procrastinate on invoicing and what to do about it

By: Slow paying clients

Slow paying clients — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 08:35:55 +0000

[…] up on Why you procrastinate on invoicing and what to do about it, Chris Van Patten sent this question by email: It’s great to have clients who pay on (or […]

By: stargardener

stargardener — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:44:25 +0000

LOL! Great minds think alike! ;-) That is exactly what I was thinking as I compiled my last comment! It is officially on my topic-tickler list!

By: Becky McCray

Becky McCray — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:37:18 +0000

Stargardener, you have created a wonderful support system. Have you written about it on your own site? You ought to!

By: stargardener

stargardener — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:10:15 +0000

Bobbie: I participate in a local group that meets once a week for breakfast. We discuss varying topics as well as brainstorm ideas. And share occasional vents! ;-)

This group actually started from a conversation between myself and the owner of a local bead store. A customer overheard, expressed her interest and the three of us met that week. We now have around 10 regulars!

Challenges: Staying on-topic and continuity of attendance.
Benefits: Relationship, ideas and accountability.

I also have two accountability partners; we meet one-on-one, once a week online for about 40-50 minutes. During the summer, we have opted to meet once a month online and e-mail our weekly goals/projects to one another. More regarding support: http://tinyurl.com/nqmh4t

If you have specific questions or are interested in discussing either of these options, please feel free to contact me directly: thestargardener at gmail.com

By: Becky McCray

Becky McCray — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:02:59 +0000

Bobbie, I've let Stargardener know you have a question for her, because I don't know if she has a local network or not.

Fred, thanks for adding some terrific points.

By: Fred H Schlegel

Fred H Schlegel — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:43:30 +0000

‘Sense of Value’ is a real good reason to systematize your invoicing. The more fuzzy the end date on a project the more important it is to invoice as you go rather than on completion. And in all cases the best thing to remember is that folks value what they pay for more than what they don’t pay for. By invoicing professionally you actually increase the value of what you do!

By: Becky McCray

Becky McCray — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:20:39 +0000

Stargardener, you’re right. When you aren’t sure of your own worth, it’s hard to put it on paper and expect someone else to pay it. Especially when you love what you do! “This is so much fun to do; how could I possibly charge someone for it?”

By: Bobbie Stacey

Bobbie Stacey — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:15:52 +0000

Stargardener,

Do you have such a peer group established and if so, would you share details of how it's working?

By: stargardener

stargardener — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:07:12 +0000

Another reason I have discovered to be especially true of freshman service providers: Uncertainty regarding their own value. They know they performed a service of value and deserve to collect, but hedge (procrastinate) due to a lack of confidence or determining how much to charge.

Certainly evidence that networking with other small businesses fosters success. Peer feedback and counsel regarding fees and invoicing can prove to be empowering and, in some cases, essential.