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MAKING THE PERFECT INVOICE - CLICK HERE




7 WAYS TO CUSTOMIZE INVOICES
Not sure which invoice is right for you? Then try them all! Just set your options, then choose “Print to screen” in the Print Invoices window. You’ll be able to see what the invoice will look like without making a trip to the printer (or the office supply store for more paper). Trees will thank you.



BILLING Q&A
How can you export C&P reports to Excel and other spreadsheet programs? Get answers to this and other important questions, along with some guaranteed great ideas.



MAKING THE PERFECT INVOICE
12 steps for clearer, more complete invoices.

This "big picture" view shows you start and due dates, production status, priority, and job duration.

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Click the link below to download the complete Acrobat-based version of the Traffic Management newsletter:

PDF  BILLING (493k)




 


By Lisa Waggoner

Everyone knows that billing makes or breaks the agency. But only the smartest agencies know the real secret: bill fast, bill often, and bill right the first time.

While it may seem obvious, billing is one of the most vulnerable parts of the client relationship. It’s where a lot of accounts are lost. And it’s certainly where the most uncomfortable confrontations take place. That’s why avoiding the common billing traps is so important (and, of course, one of the reasons you bought Clients & Profits).

The answer is to bill correctly, consistently, and on time. Most clients don’t like late bills, and they certainly don’t like surprises. Getting an invoice two months after the job was finished is one thing, but when the invoice is 20% over budget—well, that’s a shock. In any event, your cash cow is hammered. And the more time it takes to be paid, the more desperate you might be to take any amount.

Do this and your margins disappear. But fight you do because billing produces the all-important cash cow that keeps companies going.

You struggle to get the billing out.

It’s frightening to think of what would happen to cash flow if you didn’t. That’s why efficient, timely billing is critical.It’s the only way to assure your cash flow, which means more money for acquiring the new business and the skilled staff you need to grow. It’s also one less worry, and helps you to focus on the future instead of worrying about today.

Make it predictable

Successful billing starts from the moment you first talk with the client. If your client knows that you plan your billings in the same way you plan a great ad campaign, then billing isn’t a surprise. The trick is to make it predictable. It’s perfectly reasonable for clients to know what to expect on their invoices. So what's the foolproof solution?

Continued on the next page

 
INSIDE THE BILLING WORKSHEET
If you want to choose the costs that are included on an A/R invoice, get friendly with the billing worksheet. The billing worksheet is a useful tool that reveals the individual costs that are part of any billing based on actual job costs.



INVOICE TYPES - THERE'S ONE FOR EVERY OCCASION
With Clients & Profits you have the flexibility to choose from many different invoice types.



WORKING SMARTER: TIME & SPACE: NO SCIENCE FICTION
Media billing can be a nightmare—or it can be a breeze. Whether it’s air time or print space, the challenge is the same: get your client’s payment in the bank well before the vendor invoice is due, and accurately account for advance billings.



5 TOP BILLING REPORTS
You can speed your billing process along with a few key reports that take you through every step. Start by reviewing reports that show the big pre-billing picture, then narrow your scope with more detailed reports.



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