How to Invoice as a Public Speaker: Get Paid Faster with Every Gig
Learn how to create effective invoices, contracts, and payment systems as a public speaker to get paid on time and avoid last-minute scrambles.
You've spent months perfecting your keynote speech, rehearsing your delivery, and securing a spot at a high-profile conference. But when the big day arrives, you're still waiting for your client to send over the payment details. This is just the beginning of a frustrating cycle of missed payments, delayed invoices, and lost opportunities. In this post, we'll show you how to break free from these invoicing pitfalls and get paid faster with every gig.
Why this keeps happening
As a public speaker, you often rely on word-of-mouth referrals and networking to land your next gig. But without a solid invoicing and payment system in place, you're vulnerable to clients who don't take your work seriously or who simply forget to pay. This can lead to a cycle of missed payments, delayed invoices, and lost opportunities, causing you to miss out on potential earnings and damage your reputation.
Real example
Take Sarah, a motivational speaker who landed a lucrative gig at a corporate event. However, when it came time to send over the invoice, the client stalled, and Sarah was left waiting for weeks before finally receiving a partial payment. This experience left her frustrated and scrambling to find ways to get paid faster and avoid similar situations in the future.
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
Create a Standardized Contract
Develop a comprehensive contract that outlines your services, payment terms, and cancellation policies. This will help you avoid misunderstandings and ensure that clients understand what they're committing to. For example, you might include a clause that states 'Payment is due within 30 days of the event date' or 'Cancellation fees will be charged at 50% of the total fee if notice is given less than 48 hours in advance.'
Send Invoices Promptly
Make it a habit to send invoices to clients as soon as possible after the event. This will help you stay on top of payments and avoid delays. For instance, if you're working with a client who's expecting a large payment, consider sending a draft invoice a week before the final payment date to give them a heads up and encourage timely payment.
Offer Tiered Pricing Options
Consider offering different pricing tiers to make your services more appealing to a wider range of clients. This might include basic, standard, and premium packages, each with varying levels of customization and support. By offering tiered pricing, you can attract more clients and increase your revenue streams.
Use a Secure Payment Gateway
Use a reputable payment gateway like Stripe or PayPal to secure your transactions and protect yourself and your clients from scams. This will give you peace of mind and ensure that your clients feel confident about making payments online.
Automate Reminders and Follow-ups
Set up automated reminders and follow-ups to stay on top of unpaid invoices. This might include email notifications or even a gentle phone call to check in with clients. By automating these tasks, you can free up more time to focus on your speaking business and increase your revenue streams.
The Becflow solution
Becflow's all-in-one invoicing and payment platform helps you create effective contracts, send professional invoices, and automate reminders and follow-ups. With AI-powered contract templates, secure payment links, and customizable reminders, you'll be able to get paid faster and avoid last-minute scrambles. Try Becflow today and take control of your speaking business!
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