Use a free PDF invoice generator. Include your details, the client's details, INV-001, today's date, due date 14-30 days out, itemised line items, total, and payment instructions. Email a brief, professional message with the PDF attached. The whole thing takes 10-15 minutes. This guide walks through the exact steps with email templates and explains how to handle the awkwardness of sending invoice #1.
No — sole proprietors can invoice using their personal name.
INV-001 is the simplest. Or start at INV-1001 / INV-2026-001 to obscure that this is your first invoice.
Same day if possible, within 24-48 hours otherwise. Speed of invoicing strongly correlates with speed of payment.
It's completely normal. The fear usually fades after the first 2-3 invoices when you realise nobody pushed back.
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