VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

asnively · Last edited by asnively on Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:47 am; edited 1 time in total

I'm looking for tips!
I'm having trouble keeping track of:

To whom I've already sent invoices (or not)
Which have already been paid (or not)
Submissions and inquiries that need to be followed up on
Demos and custom demos that need to go out
Jobs that have to be completed, and their deadlines
Etc.

Currently I've got two long-form projects in various stages of completion and revision, on top of random radio spots, my usual IVR workload, and this fun new kiosk gig. I still owe people invoices from early December.

My. Brain. Hurts.

Don't get me wrong, I love this job and I'm so grateful to live my little dream every day. I'm just wondering-- how do you keep it all straight?
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DaveChristi · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 11:59 pm Post subject:

Amy,

I use Invoice.com exclusively. There's no monthly fee, just 50¢ per invoice. Once I've entered an invoice. I can send it via e-mail or fax or snail-mail it. The e-mailed invoice has a link to my PayPal account.

Then, after 30-days, Invoice.com sends out automatic e-mail reminders to my client every week. Once they use the link to pay the invoice, then it's marked as paid. With mailed invoices and/or payments, I have to login and credit the client myself.

I also have a web-based jobs list on my own website I use to track projects. My wife manages a lot of that for me.
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Dave "Christi" Felton
The Character Voice Actor

tackerman · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 12:10 am Post subject:

Quickbooks.

asnively · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 12:25 am Post subject:

Thanks guys! Invoice.com sounds like just what I need! WOW! I wonder how come I've never heard of it. That could change my life...
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COURVO · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 12:57 am Post subject:

Dave,

Invoice.com is perfect! Thanks for the tip.

Amy -- it's been talked about before on this board. Outlook is good for keeping track, and so is "Time and Chaos"... but both require you to input data. I usually make a note in Time & Chaos when I send out a job, when I invoice, and when I should follow-up. T&C makes it easy to create links to the .doc file and the sound file associated with that notation.

Dave C.
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asnively · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 1:34 am Post subject:

I'm using Outlook now, I just feel so scattered.

Maybe I just need a little nap.

I admit that I got a little greedy and took on more projects at once than I should have... It's just so hard to turn down the sacks of money. Even when the sacks are small...
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Deirdre · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 4:41 am Post subject:

I use folders in my Mac's GUI hierarchy.
And invoice folder holds invoice templates I made, and folders for SENT and PAID. The display of the invoice folder keeps things ordered by date.
I then send out "friendly reminders" if things go long.
Not much help for folks on PCs.
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bobsouer · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 5:50 am Post subject:

Amy,

Like Tom I've used Quickbooks for years. The current version has many of the same features for staying in contact with your clients as Outlook does. Billing, aging, emailing invoices, payables. Everything you need and a whole bunch more.

But, if I were started out today, I would use the Home and Business version of Quicken rather than Quickbooks because Quickbooks has grown to be much more of a program that I need. And it's less than half the price.

Intuit.com lets you compare the various versions of either Quicken or Quickbooks.
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Don G. · King's Row Joined: 11 Nov 2004 Posts: 1071 Location: MA

Oh, to be busy enough that I can't keep track of it all... Smile

asnively · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 10:48 am Post subject:

Ok, www.invoice.com totally rocks my world! Dave-- you are my new bestest friend! xoxoxox!!!
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Dave · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 11:01 am Post subject:

Another Quickbooks user here.

A little more money and learning curve on the front end but it more than pays off in the long run for me.

I can create invoices, send them, track them, remind folks all in the same software...and at the end of the year...and this is the real biggee...my taxes are ready to go. Nothing to collect, re-create or chase around looking for at the last minute. Enter stuff once and its a done deal!

Quickbooks is probably one of the smartest things I've ever done and I would highly recommend it... But if I had it to do over again, like Bob, I would look at the scaled down version called Simple Start (didn't exist when I got QB in 03) which would handle everything I do now in QB Pro. There is even a free edition that will handle up to 20 customers...and when you grow beyond that the upgrade is only $99.

Dave
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CWToo · Guest

bobsouer · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 11:30 am Post subject:

CWToo · Guest