Question 1

Is the marketing invoice template really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes, completely free with no hidden costs. Download in Excel, PDF, or Word format as many times as needed. No account, no email, no credit card required. Just download and start invoicing your marketing clients immediately.

Question 2

What should I include on a marketing invoice?

Accepted Answer

Every marketing invoice should include: your agency or business name and contact information, client name and billing details, unique invoice number, invoice date and payment due date, detailed description of marketing services provided (campaigns, hours, deliverables), breakdown of service fees versus ad spend or expenses, hours worked and rates (if hourly), any retainer information, subtotal before tax, applicable taxes, total amount due, payment terms (Net 15, Net 30, etc.), accepted payment methods, and any relevant campaign references or results.

Question 3

How should I price my marketing services?

Accepted Answer

Marketing professionals use several pricing models: Hourly billing ($75-$200/hour depending on expertise) for variable scope work, project-based fees ($2,000-$50,000+) for defined campaigns with clear deliverables, monthly retainers ($1,500-$25,000/month) for ongoing marketing support, percentage of ad spend (typically 10-20% of media budget) for paid advertising management, or package pricing ($500-$5,000/month) for standardized service bundles. Many agencies use different models for different clients or services.

Question 4

Should I separate ad spend from my management fees on invoices?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely yes. Always show media costs and ad spend as separate line items from your service fees. This transparency builds trust and prevents confusion. Clients need to clearly see they paid $5,000 to Facebook for ads and $1,000 to you for managing those ads. Mixing them together makes clients think you are charging $6,000 for management, which leads to disputes.

Question 5

Do I need to ask for a deposit from marketing clients?

Accepted Answer

Yes, especially for new clients or campaigns over $3,000. Request 30-50% upfront before starting work. For monthly retainers, many agencies require the first month paid in advance. Deposits ensure client commitment, protect your time investment, improve cash flow, and filter out non-serious inquiries. Most legitimate businesses expect deposits.

Question 6

What are typical payment terms for marketing services?

Accepted Answer

Common marketing payment terms include: Net 30 (payment due within 30 days) for established clients, Net 15 (due within 15 days) for smaller businesses, Due Upon Receipt for small one-time projects, and monthly in advance for retainer agreements. Many agencies require first month paid upfront for new retainer clients, then invoice at the beginning of each subsequent month.

Question 7

How do I invoice for retainer marketing clients?

Accepted Answer

For retainer clients, invoice monthly on the same date (typically the 1st or last day of the month). Your invoice should show: monthly retainer amount, services or hours included in retainer, brief summary of work completed that month, any additional hours beyond retainer with rate, billable expenses if applicable, and total due. This demonstrates value and justifies the recurring investment.

Question 8

Can I customize this marketing invoice template?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. All templates are fully customizable. Add your agency logo and brand colors, include your credentials or certifications, modify line items for your services, adjust tax fields, add custom payment instructions, include campaign references, add results or KPIs section - make it completely yours. Excel and Word formats are especially easy to edit.

Question 9

Should I charge sales tax on marketing services?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your location and service type. In the United States, most states don't charge sales tax on marketing services (consulting, strategy, management), but some do. Digital products and design work may be taxable in some states. In the EU, VAT generally applies. In Canada, GST/HST often applies. Rules vary significantly - consult with an accountant or tax professional.

Question 10

How often should I invoice marketing clients?

Accepted Answer

For retainer clients, invoice monthly on the same date each month. For hourly work, invoice weekly or bi-weekly to keep amounts reasonable. For project work, invoice at milestones (50% on start, 50% on completion) or immediately upon project completion. More frequent invoicing results in more consistent cash flow.

Question 11

What payment methods should I accept as a marketer?

Accepted Answer

At minimum, accept bank transfers (ACH) or checks. However, offering online payment options speeds payment dramatically. Consider: Stripe or PayPal (2.9% fee but fast payment), credit cards (clients pay faster with cards), Zelle or Venmo (for smaller amounts), and Wise/TransferWise (for international clients). More payment options means faster payment.

Question 12

Should I include marketing results or metrics on invoices?

Accepted Answer

While not required, adding a brief results summary can be powerful. Something like "Generated 312 qualified leads" or "Achieved 4.2x ROAS on ad spend" reinforces value and makes clients happy to pay. Clients who see clear ROI pay faster and are more likely to renew. Keep it brief - detailed reporting goes in separate reports, not invoices.

Question 13

How do I handle late payments from clients?

Accepted Answer

Use gentle escalation: Send friendly reminder 3-5 days before due date, follow up 2-3 days after due date with polite email, make phone call after 7-10 days, send firmer message after 2 weeks, and pause work after 30 days unpaid. Most late payments are process issues, not refusals. Stay professional but persistent. For chronic late payers, require advance payment.

Question 14

Do I need a contract in addition to invoices?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely. Contracts and invoices serve different purposes. Contracts outline scope of work, deliverables, timelines, payment terms, intellectual property rights, confidentiality, and liability. Invoices request payment for work performed. Always use both for marketing engagements. Reference the contract number on your invoices.

Question 15

Should I invoice in my currency or the client's currency?

Accepted Answer

For domestic clients, invoice in your local currency. For international clients, you can choose either. Invoicing in their currency makes payment easier for them, while your currency protects you from exchange rate fluctuations. Many marketers invoice international clients in USD as it's widely accepted. Discuss currency before starting work.

Question 16

How do I bill for marketing tools and software?

Accepted Answer

Always discuss expense billing before starting work. Either build tool costs into your service fees (simpler for clients), or bill them separately as line items (more transparent). If billing separately, mark them clearly as "Software and Tools" with brief descriptions. Some agencies bill tools at cost, others add a 10-15% markup.

Question 17

What should I do once a marketing invoice is paid?

Accepted Answer

Mark it paid in your records, note the payment date and method, send a payment receipt to the client, save both invoice and receipt for at least 7 years for taxes, update your accounting software, and file digitally in organized folders. Good record-keeping makes taxes easier and helps resolve any future questions.

Question 18

Should I include late fees on my invoices?

Accepted Answer

Yes, include late fee terms (typically 1.5-2% per month on overdue balances) on your invoices. This encourages timely payment. However, use caution about actually charging late fees to good clients - a reminder is often more effective. For chronic late payers, enforce the fees or require payment in advance.

Question 19

How do I create an invoice numbering system?

Accepted Answer

Keep it simple and consistent. Use formats like: Sequential (001, 002, 003), year-based (2024-001, 2024-002), or client-based (CLIENT-001). Never reuse numbers or skip numbers. This helps with bookkeeping and looks professional. Some agencies start at higher numbers (like 1001) to appear more established.

Question 20

Can I send invoices via email or should I mail them?

Accepted Answer

Email is completely acceptable and preferred. Send invoices as PDF attachments (not editable files). Use clear subject lines like "Invoice #789 from [Agency Name] - Due March 15". Email is faster, creates automatic paper trails, and gets you paid faster than mailed invoices.

Question 21

Should I offer early payment discounts?

Accepted Answer

If cash flow is important, yes. Offer 2-5% discount for payment within 5-7 days. Note it clearly: "2% discount if paid within 7 days" with both amounts shown. Many clients appreciate this, and getting paid 20+ days faster is often worth the small discount.

Question 22

How do I invoice for discovery or strategy phases?

Accepted Answer

For initial strategy work, marketing audits, or discovery phases, either charge your standard hourly rate, offer a fixed fee for the discovery phase, or discount it to win the larger engagement. Be clear that discovery is separately billable. Invoice immediately upon completion. Good discovery work should lead to the full marketing engagement.

Question 23

Why use Invoice Mama instead of free templates?

Accepted Answer

Free templates work for occasional invoicing, but if you invoice regularly, Invoice Mama saves significant time. Enter business details once. Save clients for repeat invoicing. Invoice numbers auto-increment. Send directly via email. Accept online payments (get paid 2-3x faster). Automatic payment reminders follow up for you. Track paid, pending, and overdue invoices at a glance. Generate tax reports instantly. Start free with 10 invoices, then pay just $69 once for unlimited lifetime access - no monthly fees ever.

Free Marketing Invoice Template

Download Your Free Marketing Invoice Template

Excel Template

PDF Template

Word Template

Everything Marketing Professionals Need

Campaign-Based Billing

Ad Spend Pass-Through

Retainer Billing Support

Multiple File Formats

Service Package Billing

Detailed Hour Tracking

Professional Agency Design

Expense Reimbursement Fields

Results and Metrics Space

Payment Terms & Methods

How to Use Your Marketing Invoice Template

Pick Your Format

Add Your Agency Details

Enter Client Information

List Services & Campaigns

Set Terms & Send

What to Include on Your Marketing Invoice

Social Media Marketing

Paid Advertising (PPC)

Content Marketing

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Email Marketing

Marketing Strategy & Consulting

Analytics & Reporting

Brand & Creative Services

Marketing Automation

Retainer & Package Services

Billable Expenses

Best Practices for Marketing Invoices

Separate Ad Spend from Management Fees

Invoice Immediately After Month End

Show Value and Results When Possible

Be Specific About Services Delivered

Require Deposits for New Clients

Break Down Campaigns Clearly

Include Campaign References or IDs

Track Time Even on Fixed-Fee Projects

Offer Multiple Payment Methods

Set Clear Retainer Boundaries

Send Payment Reminders Proactively

Keep Expense Receipts Organized

Why Marketing Pros Use Invoice Mama

Invoice in 90 Seconds

Get Paid Faster

Agency-Level Professional

Track Everything

Works Anywhere

Pay Once, Use Forever

Ready to upgrade from templates?

Templates are great. Automation is better.

What you get with Invoice Mama:

Frequently Asked Questions

More Invoice Templates

Freelance Invoice Template

Consulting Invoice Template

Web Development Invoice Template