Stop Sending Invoices. Send "Briefs" Instead.
Why just sending an invoice leads to payment delays. Learn how the "Approval-First" method of sending a brief for approval builds trust and gets you paid faster.
What's the most dreaded email in a freelancer's inbox? It's not a rejection. It's the reply to an invoice you just sent that starts with, "Hey, just a quick question about this line item..."
That "quick question" is the start of a 3-day email chain, a delayed payment, and a rising sense of frustration.
The problem isn't your invoice. The problem is that your client is seeing the final, itemized bill for the first time — right when you're asking for money. You've mixed two very different steps: review and payment.
There’s a better way: The Approval-First Method.
The Problem: The “Invoice Ambush”
When you send an invoice directly, you're unintentionally ambushing your client with a bill. You're asking them to do two things at once:
- Audit your work: “Does this look right? Is this what we agreed on?”
- Process a payment: “I need to send this to accounting.”
If there’s any confusion in step one, it blocks step two — causing delays and unnecessary disputes.
The Solution: Separate “Review” from “Pay”
The "Approval-First" method simplifies everything by breaking the process into two calm, clear steps.
Send a “Brief” (The Pre-Invoice)
Before creating INV-0042.pdf, send your client a “Brief”. It's a professional, simple summary of all completed work — not a legal invoice.
“Hey, here’s everything we completed this month. Please review and confirm if everything looks right.”
It includes all line items and totals, but with a different tone — it’s a request for collaboration, not a payment demand.
Get the Client’s Approval
Your client can now review your work calmly — without the pressure of an unpaid bill hanging over them.
“Looks great!” — They approve it with a single click.
“Hold on…” — They request a change (like adding a missing retainer hour) before it becomes an issue.
Send the Final Invoice
Once the Brief is approved, create the final invoice. At this point, every detail is confirmed — the invoice becomes a smooth, automatic step.
No surprises. No disputes. Just quick payments.
The Approval-First method isn’t just about organization — it’s about building trust and predictability with your clients. It keeps your workflow calm, your cash flow steady, and your reputation professional.
Stop the chaos. Send Briefs, not surprises.
Ready to Simplify Your Billing Workflow?
Use Sheet2Bill to send pre-invoice Briefs, get approvals faster, and never chase payments again.