When you’re self-employed or running a small business, cash flow is everything. It doesn’t matter how many jobs you’ve got lined up—if the money’s not coming in, it’s hard to stay afloat.
And more often than not, the problem isn’t the work—it’s the invoicing. Either it’s getting done late, it’s unclear, or it’s easy for clients to ignore.
At Buzz Accounting, we work with loads of small business owners who’ve struggled with this. The good news? A few simple invoicing tweaks can make a big difference—and we’ve built tools that help you do it properly, without the faff.
Here’s how to invoice smarter, get paid quicker, and take control of your cash flow.
Send Invoices Promptly—Every Time
It sounds obvious, but delayed invoices = delayed payments. The longer you wait to send one, the longer your client has to pay.
Make it a habit to send invoices as soon as the work’s done. Finish the job, hit send, and move on. Tools like the one we offer at Buzz let you generate professional invoices straight from your phone or laptop—no messing about.
Set Clear Payment Terms
Don’t just assume your client knows when to pay. Be specific.
- Use phrases like “Payment due within 7 days” or “Payment due on receipt”
- Make sure it’s written clearly on every invoice
- Reinforce it in your email or message when you send the invoice
The clearer you are, the more likely you are to get paid on time.
Use Invoicing Software That Does the Heavy Lifting
Manual invoices might be fine for one or two clients—but as things pick up, it gets messy fast.
With Buzz’s invoicing tools, you can:
- Send branded, professional invoices in seconds
- Track when invoices are sent, viewed, and paid
- Set up automatic payment reminders
- See who owes you what at a glance
Less admin. More control.
Offer Easy Ways to Pay
The simpler it is to pay you, the quicker it’ll happen. Old-school bank transfers are fine—but adding card payment links or online options gives your client fewer excuses to delay.
Depending on your setup, you could offer:
- Card payments through a payment processor
- PayPal or Stripe links
- QR codes on invoices for mobile payments
It’s all about making it easy to say “yes” and get that money in.
Follow Up (Without Feeling Awkward)
Chasing late payments is awkward—but it doesn’t have to be. Automated reminders from your invoicing software can do it for you.
A simple, polite follow-up a few days after the due date is often enough. Most of the time, it’s just been forgotten—not malicious. And if it’s built into your system, it takes the emotional labour out of it completely.
Know When to Get Tough
Sometimes you’ve got to stand your ground. If someone’s consistently late or ignoring your invoices, it’s time to:
- Pause future work until payment clears
- Add late fees (if included in your terms)
- Escalate it if needed—there are polite but firm ways to do this professionally
And remember: not all clients are worth the hassle.
Buzz Makes Invoicing Easy
Our clients don’t want to spend hours fiddling with templates or chasing money—they want a simple, effective way to stay on top of invoicing without it becoming a second job.
That’s why we’ve built tools into Buzz that:
- Let you send and track invoices in real time
- Keep your branding consistent and professional
- Help you stay on top of who owes what
- Give you a clearer view of your cash flow—any time, anywhere
Ready to Feel Confident About Your Cash Flow?
If you’re sick of wondering when the money’s coming in—or spending too much time chasing it—we can help.
👉 Book a call with Buzz Accounting today, and let’s get your invoicing sorted, streamlined, and stress-free.