VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Karen Souer

Hail VO friends! I have a couple of questions for you. I get asked for a lot of services that I don't perform, most often accounting or design services--but this one came from someone who's looking for help keeping track of her invoices and her clients. What do you folks use for a system in each of those areas? I know that there are a million different ways to do it all, but I'm hoping to send her some recommendations so she can perhaps find something that could work in her situation. Thanks in advance for any contributions! Smile

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Any project, any size, I can help.
karensouer.com
voiceoverassistant.com/blog/

whalewtchr · Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 5:46 pm Post subject:

Have not used yet but have heard that this is good.
http://invoice.com
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jonahcummings

Lizden · Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 7:11 pm Post subject:

Hey Karen!
I use QuickBooks PRO for all my invoicing and ACT as my database.
Quickbooks PRO also has a contact Manager that you can get which may be an option....I haven't used it, but thought I'd mention it.

I also know that several of our family love FreshBooks for invoicing.
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Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

Karen Souer · Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 7:15 pm Post subject:

Thanks Jonah!

Hi Liz-ness! Smile

What is ACT? I think Dad uses Quickbooks too, that's a good one.

PS: Can't wait to see you at Faffcon! Laugh

_________________
Any project, any size, I can help.
karensouer.com
voiceoverassistant.com/blog/

Lizden · Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 7:22 pm Post subject:

Hey sweetness!
ACT! Is a contact manager/database.
It's pretty hefty, and I don't use all the features (I also have an older version)
but you can check it out here: http://na.sage.com/sage-act

I can keep track of all jobs I ever did for a client and all their contact info & create different groups of clients.

Can.NOT.Wait for Faffcon!!!! Laugh

_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

Scott Pollak · Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 7:23 pm Post subject:

I'm old-school and simple. Basically I'm a simpleton.
No, really.

I use excel to log in every project as it comes in:
date in / client name / project / budget

Then, when it's completed and billed out, I enter a billing date and highlight it in yellow. When it's paid I log in the date paid and highlight it all in green so I know it's paid. I also tabulate each month's totals in excel this way.

For invoicing, I have a .doc template I use.

It's simple, but it works, and it's easy.
And cheap.

Like me. Cheap 'n' e-z.
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Scott R. Pollak
Clients include Pandora, NPR Atlanta, Wells Fargo, Cisco, Humana, Publix, UPS, AT&T, HP, Xerox and more.

www.voicebyscott.com

ricevoice · Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 8:20 pm Post subject:

I'm with Liz... QuickBooks rocks.
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Chris Rice - Noisemaker
www.ricevoice.com

scottnilsen · Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 10:10 pm Post subject:

I do pretty much 'zactly what Scott does.
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We have nothing to fear but fear itself.

Well, that and mimes.

(714)408-6405 www.scottnilsen.com

Bish · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 7:29 am Post subject:

Just one comment about ACT.

It's nasty. I installed it for a friend's business and everyone hated me. While the software does what it promises, once you take any it further than what you could accomplish with a regular (simple) database, it locks you in to some ugly proprietary methodology and is really non-intuitive. Good luck if you ever want to use your data for anything else... even exporting ACT data so it works on a newer version is horrendous... Plus, use it and you'll end up smelling like the 1980's.

As I said. It's nasty.

... another paragraph of derogatory statements and abuse was snipped out. I'm sure I made my point.
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Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

melissa eX · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 7:40 am Post subject:

I use both Quicken Home & Business and a spreadsheet. Quicken to invoice (I like the fact that I don't have to use 2 pieces of software for personal stuff and business) and the spreadsheet to keep track of things. Whenever I quote something it goes in the spreadsheet. When I get a job it goes in there. I note when the job's been done and sent and when it's been invoiced. I have clients whom I invoice once a month - others when the job is done so I have to track all that. I also track some other things. It's all color coded - i.e. blue for done but not invoiced, red for invoiced awaiting payment, black for paid etc.etc.

I need a database program myself.

Karen Souer · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 8:19 am Post subject:

Thanks guys. I hate turning people away, but I'd rather not assume expertise in an area I'm unfamiliar with. At least this way I can give her some things to look into.
_________________
Any project, any size, I can help.
karensouer.com
voiceoverassistant.com/blog/

Lizden · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 8:27 am Post subject:

Peter-with-a-face said I smell like thew 80's! Gasp

I NEVER had big hair!!!!! Rolls Eyes

_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

DougVox · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 8:56 am Post subject:

Invoicing: Freshbooks. Been happy with it for years.

Design: My wife. Been happy with her for decades. Smile

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Doug Turkel (tur-KELL)
Voiceover UNnouncer®
UNnouncer.com

Karen Souer · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 8:57 am Post subject:

....I don't think I should be recommending a wife to this lady. That might not go over so well Wink

. What do you use for keeping track of clients Doug?
_________________
Any project, any size, I can help.
karensouer.com
voiceoverassistant.com/blog/

DougVox · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 9:05 am Post subject:

For CRM, I've been really happy with Batchbook.
_________________
Doug Turkel (tur-KELL)
Voiceover UNnouncer®
UNnouncer.com