How to Submit a Freelance Writer's Invoice
When you have landed a journalism assignment, written your first piece, and had it published, there's only one thing left: the freelance writer's invoice. You won't get paid without it.
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Instructions
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Get the appropriate contact information from the editorial office. Get emails, phone numbers, postal addresses, and anything else you may need to submit the invoice.
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Include the information they company needs to pay you. This includes your contact information, your social security number, the title of the assignment, the date you submitted it and the amount of the fee. Include whatever payment terms you've accepted, such as "Payable Upon Receipt," or "Payable Within 30 Days."
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Figure out the accounting department's schedule. Publications generally process invoices monthly, bimonthly, weekly or biweekly. Ask if there is a deadline for filing so that you can get paid during the next cycle.
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Send the invoice no later than 4 business days before the deadline. It's best to send the invoice right after your work is accepted. Keep a copy for your files and post a reminder to follow up.
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Follow-up. Send an email or call one week after you send the invoice to make sure the invoice was received. Get a name to contact in accounts payable in case there are any problems later.
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If you don't receive a check within one week of your payment deadline, call the contact for an explanation. If a check isn't forthcoming within another week or it doesn't arrive by the time you were told, make an appointment to visit the account payable department. Keep in touch with phone calls every 3 or 4 days until the check arrives, or you ascertain that legal action may be required. Keep all your dealings amiable. You want the accounts payable professional to work as your ally.
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