Freelance Consultant Invoice Template

What is a Freelance Consultant?

A freelance consultant, also known as a freelancer, is a person who has expertise in a particular field or profession and consults in that field as an independent contractor. Freelance consultants primarily work on a per-project or hourly basis. Freelance consulting has boomed within the last few years due to the available jobs offered via the internet. Almost anyone who has any knowledge about computers, programming, writing, photography, video editing, etc., can easily find work online as a freelance consultant. Many consultants go freelance because they want independence from corporate consulting firms.

Types of Freelance Consultants

There are many different types of freelance consultants, each with their own unique skills and experience. The type of consultant you need will depend on the specific project or task you need help with. Here are some examples:

• Web designers
• Graphic designers
• Copywriters
• Marketing consultants
• Public relations consultants
• Business consultants

Where to List Freelance Services

There are many communities online that support freelance consultants. Freelancers can post their services and make them available to anyone who needs part-time work. Websites that cater to these communities make it possible to send and receive payments securely for billing. These websites charge a fee. When a job is completed, it’s necessary to obtain an invoice from the freelancer. Below are the top communities online for listing a freelance consultant:

• Fiverr – Originally Fiverr started as a marketplace where every service only cost $5, but now it’s one of the top freelance marketplaces for entrepreneurs wanting to build their business or complete a project.
• Upwork – This is an online community for businesses and independent professionals to hire freelancers on all subject matters.
• Freelancer – Freelancer caters to freelancers specializing in web development, graphic design, internet marketing, and mobile apps.

Freelance Consultant Salary & Hourly Rate ($/hr)

• Salary: $97,379/yr (source: Glassdoor)
• Hourly Rate: $30.52/hr (source: Payscale)

What to Include on a Freelance Invoice

A freelance consultant invoice should include the company name, description, amount, date, and invoice number. Invoices can be generated with online invoicing software, a word processing program, or Microsoft Excel. The frequency with which to send invoices to clients depends on a number of factors, including the type of business, the nature of its services, the payment terms established, and personal preferences.

Dos and Don’ts for Freelancers

• Do make your deadlines. It can be easy to procrastinate when working for yourself, so make sure to set a schedule and stick to it.
• Do market yourself and your services.
• Do discuss the scope of work and deliverables before starting a project.
• Do communicate regularly with clients.
• Do implement a system for tracking deadlines, projects, clients, and invoices.
• Don’t inflate your rates. Do some research to figure out what other freelancers in your field are charging and consider your experience and portfolio before setting a rate that makes sense for you and for your clients.
• Don’t forget to make a budget and organize your finances regularly.
• Don’t take any job that comes your way. Make sure you have the capacity for it and make sure it’s worth your time. Sometimes it’s helpful to set a minimum charge for your services.
• Don’t work only for experience or exposure.
• Don’t work without a contract.

Tips for Invoicing Clients

• An effective invoice should be clear and concise so your client knows exactly what they are being charged for. If your invoice is confusing or difficult to understand, your client may be less likely to pay it in full, or on time.
• Make sure to state on the invoice that late fees will be charged if the due date passes and the balance has still not been paid. Then, if the due date passes and the full balance has not been cleared, send an invoice with a late fee.