Invoice Tracker
FREE TEMPLATE

Free Freelance Writing Invoice Template

Whether you charge per word, per article, or on retainer — this template makes billing effortless. List deliverables, track deadlines, and get paid without the back-and-forth.

Create Your Writing Invoice

What should a freelance writing invoice include?

A freelance writing invoice should list each deliverable by title — blog posts, whitepapers, email newsletters — along with the agreed word count or flat fee per piece. Include the publication or client name, the delivery date, and your payment terms (net-30 is common, but many writers prefer net-15 for faster turnaround). If you’re on retainer, itemize the month’s deliverables so the client can match output to cost.

Sample freelance writing invoice

DescriptionQtyRateAmount
Blog post: “10 Tips for Remote Productivity” (1,500 words)1$375$375
Blog post: “Beginner’s Guide to Meal Prep” (2,000 words)1$500$500
Email newsletter draft (500 words)4$125$500
SEO keyword research & brief creation2$75$150
Content revision / second draft2$50$100
Total$1,625

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Why freelance writers need a proper invoice

1. Per-article & per-word billing

Clearly list each blog post, article, or copywriting deliverable with word counts and agreed rates so there’s never a dispute.

2. Retainer-friendly format

Set up monthly retainers with automatic invoicing. Your recurring content clients get billed on schedule without you lifting a finger.

3. Multi-client dashboard

Writing for five publications at once? See all outstanding invoices, who’s paid, and who’s overdue in one dashboard.

Create your freelance writing invoice in 3 steps

1

Sign up free

Create your Invoice Tracker account in under a minute. No credit card, no commitments.

2

Add your details

Enter your freelance writing services, rates, and client information. Pick from multiple professional templates.

3

Send & get paid

Email the invoice directly or download the PDF. Automatic reminders handle the follow-ups.

Frequently asked questions

Should I charge per word or per article as a freelance writer?
Per-article or per-project pricing is generally better for experienced writers because it rewards efficiency. Per-word rates can work for straightforward content, but they incentivize longer (not necessarily better) writing. Choose whichever model aligns with how you scope and deliver work.
What payment terms should freelance writers use?
Net-15 or net-30 are the most common terms. For new clients, consider requesting a 50% deposit upfront or payment upon delivery to reduce risk. Once you’ve built trust, net-30 with automatic reminders keeps things professional without the awkward follow-up emails.
When should I send my freelance writing invoice?
Send your invoice immediately upon delivering the final draft. If the project spans multiple weeks, invoice at agreed milestones — such as after outline approval and again at final delivery. Prompt invoicing signals professionalism and shortens the payment cycle.
How do I invoice for a monthly writing retainer?
List each deliverable completed during the month with its title and word count, even though the total is a fixed retainer fee. This gives the client visibility into what they received and makes it easy to justify the ongoing cost during budget reviews.

Related invoice templates

✒️Copywriting InvoiceBill for sales pages, email sequences, ad copy, and messaging with project pricing.📣Marketing InvoiceSeparate service fees from ad spend and bill per campaign or retainer.💼Consulting InvoiceBill for strategy sessions, workshops, and advisory retainers with milestone tracking.
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See how Invoice Tracker compares

Other invoicing tools charge $8–$55/month for features we give you free.

vs FreshBooksvs Wavevs HoneyBookvs Bonsaivs Harvest

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