The single most important term on a writing invoice is four words: due on invoice, not publication. Publications sit on pieces for months; your rent doesn’t. This template’s terms carry that line, plus the kill fee — the writer’s standard protection when commissioned work dies in an editorial meeting.
Line items work per-word, per-piece or per-retainer: put the word count and rate in the description and the flat total as the rate, or bill pieces at package prices. Content-marketing rates commonly run $0.10–1.00+/word depending on specialism; editorial rates vary by outlet.
Scope lines that prevent endless edits
“One revision round included; re-briefs billed hourly” is the sentence that saves writing careers. A revision polishes the piece against the original brief; a re-brief is a new assignment wearing the old one’s name — the invoice should price them differently, and the notes line here does.
Name each piece by working title with delivery date or link. Editors juggling twenty freelancers approve specific invoices fast and query vague ones into next month.
Retainers and content packages
Monthly retainers (e.g. 4 posts/month) invoice on the 1st, in advance, with unused pieces handled per your stated rollover policy. Advance billing is standard for retained writing — you reserved the capacity.
For SEO/content-marketing packages, itemize what a “post” includes (research, meta description, images sourced, 1 revision) in the line description once — it upgrades the perceived value and stops the quiet scope inflation of “can you also do the newsletter version”.
Download this document in an editable format
Use the generator above, then choose Word or Excel in the download menu. The file is created locally from the current document.
Frequently asked questions
Per word, per hour, or per piece?
Per piece wins for defined content (clients budget cleanly, you keep efficiency gains); per word persists in journalism; hourly suits editing and strategy. Whichever you use, show the basis in the description.
What is a kill fee and what is standard?
A fee (25–50%, 50% after drafting) owed when commissioned work is cancelled through no fault of yours. It only exists if written down before work starts — the invoice and your confirmation email both count.
Do writers charge sales tax?
It depends on the seller’s location, customer, delivery format and tax registration. Check the relevant state, VAT or GST rules before applying tax or reverse-charge wording.
How do I invoice ghostwriting?
Same structure, higher rate — the byline surrender is priced in (commonly 20–50% above bylined rates). Note “ghost, no attribution” in the piece description so the file reflects the agreement.