Design Business Automation Guide: Streamline Your Workflow, Get Paid Faster
Learn how to automate your design business workflow, send professional invoices, and get paid on time with Becflow.
You just finished a 10-hour design project for a new client, but they've been slow to pay. You sent them an invoice a week ago, but they haven't responded. This is a common scenario for many freelance designers, but it doesn't have to be. This guide will show you how to automate your design business workflow, send professional invoices, and get paid on time.
Why this keeps happening
The problem lies in the lack of clear communication and payment terms. Many designers send invoices too late, or don't include a payment schedule, leading to delays and forgotten payments. Additionally, designers often don't have a contract in place, leaving them vulnerable to disputes and non-payment.
Real example
Sarah, a freelance graphic designer, lost $1,000 last month due to delayed payments from a client. She had sent the client an invoice, but it got buried in their email inbox. By the time she followed up, the client had forgotten about the payment, and it took weeks to resolve.
The habits that fix this permanently
These are the non-negotiables for getting paid reliably in your profession:
How to implement this step by step
Step 1: Create a Clear Payment Schedule
Start by creating a clear payment schedule that includes the amount due, payment deadline, and any late fees. Communicate this schedule to your clients upfront, so they know what to expect. For example, if you're working on a project with a 50% deposit and 50% balance due upon completion, make sure to clearly outline this in your contract and invoice. Use Becflow's contract builder to create a professional-looking contract that includes your payment schedule.
Step 2: Send Invoices Promptly
Send invoices promptly after completing a project, so clients know what to expect. Use Becflow's automated invoicing feature to send invoices to your clients at the right time. For example, let's say you're working on a project that takes 2 weeks to complete. You can set up Becflow to send an invoice to your client at the end of the second week, so they know what to expect.
Step 3: Use a Design Business Automation Tool
Use a design business automation tool like Becflow to streamline your workflow and send professional invoices. Becflow's automation features allow you to send automated reminders, schedule payments, and track progress. For example, let's say you're working on a project with a client who has a history of delayed payments. You can set up Becflow to send automated reminders to your client at the payment deadline, so they know what to expect.
Step 4: Set Clear Expectations
Set clear expectations with clients about payment terms and deadlines. Use Becflow's contract builder to create a professional-looking contract that includes your payment schedule and terms. For example, let's say you're working on a project with a client who wants to know what to expect in terms of payment. You can create a contract that outlines your payment schedule and terms, so they know what to expect.
Step 5: Use a Payment Link
Use a payment link in your invoice to make it easy for clients to pay online. Becflow's payment link feature allows clients to pay invoices directly from the email they receive. For example, let's say you're working on a project with a client who wants to pay their invoice online. You can create a payment link in your invoice using Becflow, so they can pay directly from the email they receive.
The Becflow solution
Becflow solves this problem by providing a design business automation tool that streamlines your workflow, sends professional invoices, and gets you paid on time. With Becflow's automation features, you can create a clear payment schedule, send invoices promptly, use a contract that includes payment terms, set clear expectations with clients, and use a payment link to make it easy for clients to pay online. Sign up for Becflow today and start getting paid faster!
Get paid faster, automatically
AI contracts, invoices with payment links, and automatic reminders. All in one place. Free for 7 days.
Start free trial