What does your
invoice say?
Does your invoice
simply list the products or services
and the invoice amount? What about
the application fee you waive? ...or
the extra hours you don't bill your
client? My invoice used to simply
list the products and services
billed to my client and the rate.
But, since I revamped my billing
system, I've added the various
products and services that I
normally provide my client without
charge. I list the retail rate and
note "no charge" next to the
rate. My client might have no idea I
was providing products and services
others would normally charge for
unless I specifically list the
various items. Just to give you a
few ideas... We have an application
fee others would charge anywhere
from $20 to $50. We choose not to
pass this fee on to our clients, but
instead note it as "no charge." If
you process credit cards at your
retail location, a backup imprinter
(aka a 'knuckle buster') is an item
that some businesses may charge
anywhere from $45 to $75. We simply
provide this to our clients, listing
it on the invoice as "no charge."
If you provide a professional
service, you may have made a
conscious decision not to nickel and
dime your client with lots of little
fees. But unless you list those
phone calls, or mailings, or extra
hours you provided at no cost, your
client won't have a true picture of
the real value you provide. Your
invoice is one piece of
communication your client is sure to
read line by line, so use it to
build value for your business and
improve your cash flow.