Getting paid

    We’ve already shared some tips for invoicing like a pro to help you get paid faster, strengthen your brand presence and make you the first person a client calls to get a job done. Here, we’re giving some advice on upping your invoice game even more.   Embrace new technology There are so many digital technologies at your disposal today that make life easier for both you and your customers. Here are a few you should add to your invoicing strategy.   A financial management platform—like QuickBooks—makes it quick and easy to create, send and track your invoices online. And it will minimise payment hassles for your customer Mobile payments—Speaking of painless processing, mobile payment technology lets you swipe a credit or debit card anywhere, any time. On-the-spot payment (no invoicing required!) is particularly useful for small business owners who deliver products or services directly to a home or office Cloud storage—You may be planning a much-deserved beach ho

    Getting paid is a priority for every entrepreneur. We're guessing you've all got stories to share about your experiences asking for, waiting for or getting (or not) your hard-earned payment. We want to hear all about it!   Tell us your favourite or, perhaps, your least favourite moment related to getting paid in the comments below!    

... anyone living today (or not!), who would you choose and why?

Keeping invoices organised can be a difficult task. Creating them can sometimes be a laborious activity, and when things don’t always work out, it can become very frustrating.   Whether you started your business a couple of weeks ago or years ago, we want to know how your approach to invoicing has changed! :)    How do you approach the task of invoicing now?    Comment your tips and tricks below!     Join and become a member... It's free! -  Join the QB Community! QB Community UK Home          Talk About Your Business          Find Inspiration     

  Here’s 1 thing just about all small business owners have in common: the need to send invoices. Whether you sell handmade products or offer targeted client services, invoices are key to keeping your business afloat. Problem is, plenty of us don’t realise—or leverage—the true power of this all-important tool.   Make it personal These days, information-overload is ubiquitous. No wonder it’s easy to overlook or ignore a standard grey email or a dull printed page. A personalised, thoughtfully designed invoice stands out in a cluttered inbox or an ever-growing pile of papers. So how do you get your invoice to attract more attention?   Name drop. Just as using someone’s name in conversation keeps people focused on what you’re saying, personalising your invoice helps it get noticed. Include these 4 names on every invoice:   The company you’re billing The person processing the invoice Your manager or point of contact Your company or yourself   Include a personal me

    Dealing with late payments from a customer is simply no fun. And when your client is a chronic offender, financial tardiness is more than just annoying. Consistently late payments can severely curb your cash flow and put your whole business at risk.   Here, we delve into how you can use your invoice to avoid late payments. And if your invoice doesn’t work, we examine what you need to do to collect on those past-due payments.   Send your invoices on time We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. Nothing gets you paid faster and more reliably than sending your invoice as soon as it’s due. Whether your payment cycle is weekly, monthly or something else entirely, stick like Velcro to your agreed-upon schedule.   Negotiate terms up front Speaking of payment schedules, make sure you and your client agree to one during your initial contract negotiations. Put all the terms in writing so there’s no room for misunderstandings about deadlines or late fees. Expert

    We love sharing financial advice from Dawn Fotopulos, author of Accounting for the Numberphobic: A Survival Guide for Small Business Owners. With more than 20 years’ experience helping small business owners thrive, Dawn loves educating entrepreneurs about all money matters. In this article, we turn to Dawn to learn how to boost cash flow in 3 simple steps.     Step 1: Invoice, invoice, invoice  Dawn can’t say enough about the power of an invoice. If you need to boost your cash flow fast, one of the easiest things you can do is send out an invoice right now. Here are some important tips about getting the most out of this money-generating tool.   Send invoices promptly. “Don’t let the sun go down without invoicing a client if it’s time”, Dawn advises. If getting paid isn’t your priority, it won’t be your customer’s, either. Sometimes people genuinely forget when their payment is due, so don’t just assume they know what you’re owed. Negotiate terms u

Is there a way to pass along the credit card fees to our clients?

Hi, I'm hoping someone in the UK can help me with this. I've just received an HMRC coding notice and need to change a tax code in QBO Online Payroll to K242 - a "K" code denotes a negative tax allowance. Unfortunately Online Payroll doesn't appear to accept this tax code as being valid. Any ideas how I can enter this? Thanks

Is there a way to directly deposit an amount and get a check for the balance?

What is the best referral you've ever *given* to a fellow small business owner or self-employed professional?   Please share your answer below -- we're looking forward to hearing more.