{"id":237736,"date":"2023-02-22T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-22T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/?p=237736"},"modified":"2025-07-26T19:33:25","modified_gmt":"2025-07-26T18:33:25","slug":"how-to-write-an-invoice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/blog\/how-to-write-an-invoice\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Write an Invoice and Get Paid for Your Coaching (with Free Invoice Template)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>You\u2019ve mastered the art of helping your clients achieve deep transformations. But when it\u2019s time to invoice them for your coaching, you get so overwhelmed you want to crawl back into bed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this guide, you\u2019ll learn:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What an invoice is and when it\u2019s required.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How to write an invoice (step by step).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How to create an invoice in Microsoft Word or Google Docs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Invoicing best practices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The best invoicing alternative for coaches and consultants.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep reading to master invoice writing once and for all!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what\">What is an Invoice?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>An invoice is a document created by a seller or a business to list products and services provided to a buyer. They serve two functions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Request payment from a buyer, and;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Record a sale in an official and legal way.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>For coaches and consultants, invoices specifically outline all services provided to the client and the cost for each service. When relevant, you can also include the cost of products incurred when you provided your service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Invoices will also specify the terms of payment. For instance, is there a specific payment modality your client must use to pay the amount due? Do you charge late fees if the client doesn\u2019t pay on time? The goal is to make it transparent and clear for all parties involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"when\">When is an Invoice Required?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Invoices are vital documents for coaches and consultants! They\u2019re required whenever you need to collect payment from your client as a business and service provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So why can\u2019t you just send a Paypal link with the requested amount instead of sending an invoice?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike a payment link, invoices are <a href=\"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/blog\/legal-requirements-for-life-coaching\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">legally binding documents<\/a> \u2014 as long as you and your client have agreed to the exchange of services described in the document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The exact moment you\u2019ll need to send an invoice to your coaching clients will vary depending on your <a href=\"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/blog\/coaching-contract\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">contract or service agreement.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some coaches send an invoice upfront before they provide their services \u2014 especially when selling <a href=\"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/blog\/high-end-coaching-packages\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">coaching packages<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, consultants will often invoice their work hours at the end of the month (or every two weeks). Another option is to write an invoice after an entire project is finished.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"write\">How to Write an Invoice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If writing an invoice seems like an overwhelming task for you, don\u2019t worry! Let\u2019s go over everything you need to write your invoice like a pro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to Include in Your Coaching Invoice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s everything you need to include when writing your invoice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Word \u201cInvoice\u201d<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure the term \u201cinvoice\u201d appears clearly and boldly on your document. This\u2019ll help both you and your client to distinguish an invoice from other financial documents like receipts or <a href=\"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/blog\/the-best-billing-software-for-coaches\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">bills<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Your Information<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>At the top of your invoice, make sure to insert all the relevant information about you and your business, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your name<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your <a href=\"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/blog\/life-coaching-business-name\/\" title=\"3 Tips to Make Your Life Coaching Business Name Stand Out\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"123\">business name<\/a> (if you\u2019re registered as an LLC under a name other than yours)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your contact information (address, phone number, email)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have a business address that\u2019s different from your home address, make sure to write the business info on the invoice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Client Information<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll need to include your <a href=\"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/blog\/client-information\/\" title=\"How to Organize Your Coaching Client Information Like a Pro\">client\u2019s information<\/a> on your invoice, too.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure to add the same information you included for yourself! If your client is an individual and not a business, you won\u2019t need any business information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ask your client which contact person to add to the invoice \u2014 for example, some companies ask service providers to invoice the accounting department. This won\u2019t apply if your client is an individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Invoice Information<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Every new invoice needs the following details:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Invoice number<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Date of issue&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Due date<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The date of issue is the date you plan on sending your invoice. On the other hand, the due date is when you expect your client to pay in full.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your invoice is due as soon as it\u2019s received, you can mark it \u201cDue on receipt,\u201d \u201cPayable on receipt,\u201d or \u201cCash on delivery.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, the invoice number should be unique for each invoice! This makes it easier for <a href=\"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/blog\/coaches-heres-what-youre-supposed-to-be-talking-to-your-bookkeeper-about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">accountants and bookkeepers<\/a> to keep a paper trail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Line Items and Quantities<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>This is where you\u2019ll list your coaching and <a href=\"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/blog\/types-of-consulting\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/blog\/types-of-consulting\/\">consulting services<\/a>. If you have more than one type of service, you\u2019ll need a separate line item for each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, let\u2019s say you have sold a Coaching VIP day for $1,500 and a 1-hour Coaching Session for $250. If one of your clients booked one <a href=\"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/blog\/vip-day\/\">VIP day<\/a> and one weekly 1-hour <a href=\"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/blog\/coaching-session-framework\/\">Coaching Session<\/a> during the month, your invoice line items could look like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Line item<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Quantity<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Rate<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Line total<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Coaching VIP Day<\/td><td>1<\/td><td>$1,500<\/td><td>$1,500<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1-hour Coaching Session<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>$250<\/td><td>$1,000<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s better to keep your <a href=\"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/blog\/life-coaching-services\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">types of coaching services<\/a> as separate line items on your invoice. This will make it easier for your client to remember what they\u2019re paying you for! It\u2019ll also help you analyze which services are generating the most revenue for your coaching or consulting business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Subtotal<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Your subtotal is the sum of all line totals from your invoice \u2014 before taxes or discounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the example shown above, the subtotal would be $2,500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Taxes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Sales taxes \u2014 we\u2019ve all got to pay them! Specify the percentage at which you\u2019re taxing (which will depend on the location of your business and your clients). Then, write the amount of sales taxes the client needs to pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fees and Discounts (if applicable)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re charging your clients any additional fees \u2014 or <a href=\"https:\/\/checkya.com\/blog\/how-to-apply-discounts-on-invoice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">providing them with a discount<\/a> \u2014 you can add these amounts below your taxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Skip this section if you don\u2019t have any fees or discounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Invoice Total<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019re done calculating the subtotal, tax, and fees\/discounts, it\u2019s time to write the total amount due for your client!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the final amount the client will need to pay. The previous sections \u2014 line items, subtotal, taxes, etc. \u2014 need to be on your invoice for clarity and transparency, but it\u2019s the total that matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Terms and Conditions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>At the bottom of your invoice, make sure to include your terms and conditions. These will define how your client should pay you and your policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some examples of terms and conditions you can add to your invoice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your payment terms or payment details<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Refund policy (if you have one)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What payment method or methods you\u2019ll accept<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Late payment fees (if you charge them)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Terms of sale (for example, who\u2019s responsible for paying taxes)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also specify which governing laws and jurisdictions are used in case of any disputes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nice to Have: Your Logo<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>You don\u2019t legally need to include your logo when drafting your invoice. But it\u2019s a nice touch! It can help you build credibility and strengthen your brand.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Make an Invoice in Microsoft Word<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have a word processor like Microsoft Word or Google Docs, you can easily create an invoice for all your coaching clients!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All you need to do is the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Create a new document<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In the \u201cSearch for online templates\u201d field, type \u201cinvoice\u201d and click \u201center\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"671\" src=\"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image3-1-1024x671.jpg\" alt=\"How to write an invoice\" class=\"wp-image-237739\" srcset=\"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image3-1-980x642.jpg 980w, https:\/\/paperbell.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image3-1-480x314.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Select one of the invoice templates that matches your needs&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Edit the template with the information covered above<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If the template contains colors, change the colors to match your branding<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s it! Then, all that\u2019s left to do is download the template as a PDF, and it\u2019s ready to send to your coaching client.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An even easier option is to use Paperbell for all your client billing. While word processors let you tell your clients how much to pay you and what payment methods to use, they can\u2019t process payments for you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Paperbell solves this issue by making it easy for clients to pay online. For every coaching package you create, you get an out-of-the-box landing page and checkout page to accept payments immediately. The software will automatically generate an invoice and receipt for you when your client submits their payment!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image2-1-1024x683.png\" alt=\"How to write an invoice\" class=\"wp-image-237738\" srcset=\"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image2-1-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/paperbell.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image2-1-980x653.png 980w, https:\/\/paperbell.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image2-1-480x320.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"best\">Best Practices for Sending an Invoice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that you know how to write an invoice, let\u2019s go over some of the best practices to make sure things go smoothly with your clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Send your invoice ASAP<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The later you send your invoice to your coaching clients, the longer you\u2019ll have to wait to get paid. And because some clients will be late in paying, waiting too long to send your invoice can significantly hurt your <a href=\"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/blog\/cash-flow-management\/\" title=\"How To Stay Cash Flow Positive in Your Coaching Business\">cash flow<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A good rule of thumb is to write and send your invoice as soon as you have the necessary info to do so. Make sure to <a href=\"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/blog\/how-to-write-an-invoice-email\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">read our best practices for writing an invoice email that gets paid promptly!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Make it as easy as possible to pay you<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to get paid quickly, make your clients\u2019 lives easier by guiding them. For example, provide your correct contact information if you want to receive an Interact Transfer. Or add a link to your Paypal or Stripe account if that\u2019s your preferred way to get paid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Use email follow-up<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No one\u2019s perfect \u2014 and some clients will forget to pay your invoice despite their best intentions. You can mitigate this risk by <a href=\"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/blog\/how-to-send-a-reminder-email\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sending reminder emails<\/a> before and after an invoice is due.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re using Paperbell, you can set up these email reminders once and never have to think about them again!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"free\">Free Invoice Template for Services Rendered&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to send invoices using a word processor, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1A-oh7oHCGfltdsP72YOegAEkmsWOxAFO7niFVINcB5k\/edit?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">use this Google Docs<\/a> invoice for services rendered template for yourself! Just make a copy, tweak it to your liking, and download it as a PDF to share with your clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"695\" height=\"357\" src=\"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image1-1.png\" alt=\"How to write an invoice\" class=\"wp-image-237737\" srcset=\"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image1-1.png 695w, https:\/\/paperbell.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/image1-1-480x247.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 695px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"paperbell\">Simplify Your Invoicing Process With Paperbell<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Getting paid for your coaching is awesome \u2014 but the work involved to make it happen? Not so much! Not only is it time-consuming to write invoices from scratch, but keeping track of who already paid you (and who you\u2019ve invoiced already) is the worst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Paperbell makes it easy for coaches and consultants to get paid for their services online. But the best part? It automatically connects to the rest of your processes so that clients can book immediately after paying you. <a href=\"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Create your free account today to stop the invoicing nightmare!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/how-to-write-an-invoice-pin.png\" alt=\"How to write an invoice\" class=\"wp-image-237725\" srcset=\"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/how-to-write-an-invoice-pin.png 500w, https:\/\/paperbell.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/how-to-write-an-invoice-pin-480x720.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 500px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You\u2019ve mastered the art of helping your clients achieve deep transformations. But when it\u2019s time to invoice them for your coaching, you get so overwhelmed you want to crawl back into bed! In this guide, you\u2019ll learn: Keep reading to master invoice writing once and for all!&nbsp; What is an Invoice? An invoice is a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":47,"featured_media":237724,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-237736","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-coaching-business-tips-strategy"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/237736","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/47"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=237736"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/237736\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":249339,"href":"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/237736\/revisions\/249339"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/237724"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=237736"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=237736"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paperbell.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=237736"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}