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5 invoice thank you message ideas for retaining clients
7
Min Read
Did you know, by simply saying "thank you" in your invoice template message, you can increase the likelihood of payment by over 5%? That could easily equate to thousands of dollars per year. Politeness not only gets you paid faster –it is also good for your brand and image.
Including an invoice thank you message is a straightforward way to nurture your relationships with existing consumers and shorten your payment cycle. While a generic "we appreciate your business" is better than nothing, adding a more creative invoice message that shows your gratitude can fortify your marketing efforts and encourage future sales.
In this guide from Bonsai, we’ll show you how to thank a client for their business with 5 invoice thank you message ideas that can convince your customers to stick with you long-term.
Why should you add an invoice thank you message?
What is an invoice and why should you add a thank you note? As a freelancer, sending invoices to your client is a crucial part of running your business. Adding a thank you message may not seem that important, but it has some great benefits. Here’s why you should consider thanking your customer in your invoice message:
- An architect invoice template for example, without a clear and prominent expression of gratitude seems cold and impersonal. Adding a thank you note to the invoice footer message will add a more personal touch to your business.
- It’s a great way to encourage customers to come back to you for more business. The more you make your customers feel appreciated, the more they’ll feel loyal toward you.
- By conveying gratitude via your invoice message, you can build a long-term relationship with your customer, which is necessary for building a sustainable business.
- If an invoice arrives with a personalized message letting the customer know how much they are appreciated, it may prompt them to pay the invoice right away rather than putting it off for a few days or even weeks.
- You can use your attorney invoice template or any other invoice template to even upsell your products in some cases.
5 ideas for your invoice thank you message
Looking for some cool ideas to add a personalized thank you note in your invoice message? Here’s some inspiration:
1. Add a thank you note and give a discount in your invoice footer message
Many invoicing software allow you to add “notes to customer” section on the invoice. Use this as an opportunity to express your gratitude. You can also add a discount code or offer a promotion in this area, encouraging customers to buy more from you.
This tactic works well for new and existing customers. Adding a discount lets them know that you appreciate their business. As a result, they are more likely to order again from you.
However, it’s important to make it obvious that it’s a one-time discount and not a permanent one. You might say something like, “Thank you for your order. Remember you save 20% if you pay within 5 days. That's a $15 savings on today's invoice.” Or, if you’re trying to promote electronic payment, you might say, “Thank you for your business. Save 10% if you pay online.”
2. Ensure your invoice thank you message is prominent
What’s the point of adding a thank you note in your invoice message if the customer just can’t see it? So, make sure that your words of gratitude are clearly visible. You can use another color or bold it so that it stands out from the rest of the content in your bookkeeping invoice template for example.
Once you know how to send an invoice by email, you can get creative to ensure that the thank you note is one of the first things your customer will see when they open the invoice (whether printed or digital). The best place to put the thank you message is right underneath their balance so they’re sure to see it.
If you want to be thanking clients more often, for bigger projects, then it’s time to elevate your freelance career by signing up to a free trial of Bonsai.
3. Offer a freebie as a gesture of gratitude
Who doesn’t love freebies? A great way to thank your customers is to offer them something for free. This idea works best with new customers, where you can give them more than what they order.
For example, if somebody orders 10 units of a product from you, you can send them 12 units instead. This will make your customers feel appreciated and they’re more likely to return to you in future. But, once again, you need to make it clear in your translation invoice template or any other invoice that it’s a one-time gesture so that they don’t expect you to send freebies with every order.
However, if you can do it inexpensively, you may consider sending out freebies with every order.
4. Invite customers to provide feedback
Along with thanking your customers, you can also use your invoice to invite them to provide you feedback. This is an excellent opportunity to open your line of communication with them.
For instance, when sending out electronic invoices, add a link to a feedback page where your customers can let you know if they faced any problems while ordering from you or if they have any suggestions to further improve your offering.
Customers desire the ability to get in touch directly with the company they’re doing business with. In fact, around 64% of consumers want brands to connect with them. They want brands to know what they think and want.
Also, some customers may want to just say thanks, and providing them with a way to do so is a pretty valuable resource as well. By consistently inviting customers to share their feedback, you get an opportunity to continuously enhance your business.
Unfortunately, many companies are reactive about getting customer feedback. They don’t seek out insights from their consumers until there’s a complaint. By being proactive and requesting feedback in your freelance invoice template, you can prevent issues before they happen, and minimize the number of unhappy clients.
5. Show the value they’re getting from your business
Another great idea is to use your interpreter invoice template, for example, to display the value your customers are getting from your brand. For instance, if you know where your prices are beating out your competitor, then mention what the customer would’ve paid if they’d opted for that competitor. This tactic is an excellent addition to your invoice thank you message as it ensures your customers don’t go somewhere else trying to save money.
That’s exactly why grocery stores show savings on every receipt. It helps build loyalty between the customer and store simply because that specific store saved the customer money.
You can apply this technique to your invoices as well. For example, in your invoice footer message (just below the total amount), you can show your consumers how much they saved by including the higher costs of your competitors. Or, you can even add a thought that gives them a visual of their yearly or bundled price savings.
In addition to a dollar amount, you can also show your customers the real value that you’ve provided them. For instance, if you’re a copywriter, instead of just sending an itemized list of blog posts with the topics that you’ve written, also mention the number of page views or social shares that your articles received.
Recommended reading: Read more about the best practices for invoicing. Follow these principles and you'll create a great relationship with your client.
Make every invoice count
Just because your invoice is a business document, doesn’t mean it has to be lackluster. An invoice could be your last contact with a customer, so why not leave them with a lasting impression? Adding a creative invoice thank you message can be a game changer for your marketing strategy.
The bottom line is that there are tons of ways out there to make your customers feel special and appreciated when you send out your invoice. A simple thank presented in the right way on your invoice can do a great deal to make customers feel good about doing business with you.
Join Bonsai to strengthen your working relationships with your clients -- and to attract more.
What Defines a Verbal Contract?
A verbal contract (formally called an oral contract) refers to an agreement between two parties that's made —you guessed it— verbally.
Formal contracts, like those between an employee and an employer, are typically written down. However, some professional transactions take place based on verbally agreed terms.
Freelancers are a good example of this. Often, freelancers will take on projects having agreed on the terms and payment via the phone, or an email. Unfortunately, sometimes clients don't pull through on their agreements, and hardworking freelancers can find themselves out of pocket and wondering whether a legal battle is worth all the hassle.
The main differences between written and oral contracts are that the former is signed and documented, whereas the latter is solely attributed to verbal communication.
Verbal contracts are a bit of a gray area for most people unfamiliar with contract law —which is most of us, right?— due to the fact that there's no physical evidence to support the claims made by the implemented parties.
When is a Verbal Agreement Legally Binding?
For any contract (written or verbal) to be binding, there are four major elements which need to be in place. The crucial elements of a contract are as follows:
- Offer and acceptance: An offer is made and accepted by another party involved in the agreement;
- Consideration: The involved parties must exchange something of value (money, a service, time, etc), this is known as consideration;
- Intention and certainty: All parties must fully understand the terms of the contract and intend to make a legally binding agreement freely; and
- Capacity: The parties must have the capacity to legally enter into the contract; they're above age and of a stable mindset.
Therefore, an oral agreement has legal validity if all of these elements are present. However, verbal contracts can be difficult to enforce in a court of law. In the next section, we take a look at how oral agreements hold up in court.
How strong is a verbal agreement in court?
Most business professionals are wary of entering into contracts orally because they can difficult to enforce in the face of the law.
If an oral contract is brought in front of a court of law, there is increased risk of one party (or both!) lying about the initial terms of the agreement. This is problematic for the court, as there's no unbiased way to conclude the case; often, this will result in the case being disregarded. Moreover, it can be difficult to outline contract defects if it's not in writing.
That being said, there are plenty of situations where enforceable contracts do not need to be written or spoken, they're simply implied. For instance, when you buy milk from a store, you give something in exchange for something else and enter into an implied contract, in this case - money is exchanged for goods.
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get started nowWhen are verbal agreements not enforceable?
There are some types of contracts which must be in writing.
The Statute of Frauds is a legal statute which states that certain kinds of contracts must be executed in writing and signed by the parties involved. The Statute of Frauds has been adopted in almost all U.S states, and requires a written contract for the following purposes:
- The sale of real estate or vehicles
- Real estate leases lasting longer than one year.
- Property transfer following the death of the owner.
- The case of a party agreeing to pay debt for someone else.
- Any contract that requires more than a year to fulfil.
- A contract involving and exceeding a specified amount of money (which varies by state).
Typically, a court of law won't enforce an oral agreement in any of these circumstances under the statute. Instead, a written document is required to make the contract enforceable.
Contract law is generally doesn't favor contracts agreed upon verbally. A verbal agreement is difficult to prove, and can be used by those intent on committing fraud. For that reason, it's always best to put any agreements in writing and ensure all parties have fully understood and consented to signing.
How are Verbal Contracts Enforced?
Verbal agreements can be proven with actions in the absence of physical documentation. Any oral promise to provide the sale of goods or perform a service that you agreed to counts as a valid contract. So, when facing a court of law, what evidence can you provide to enforce a verbal agreement?
How can you prove an oral contract?
Unfortunately, without solid proof, it may be difficult to convince a court of the legality of an oral contract. Without witnesses to testify to the oral agreement taking place or other forms of evidence, oral contracts won't stand up in court. Instead, it becomes a matter of "he-said-she-said" - which legal professionals definitely don't have time for!
If you were to enter into a verbal contract, it's recommended to follow up with an email or a letter confirming the offer, the terms of the agreement , and payment conditions. The more you can document the elements of a contract, the better your chances of legally enforcing a oral contract.
Another option is to make a recording of the conversation where the agreement is verbalized. This can be used to support your claims in the absence of a written agreement. However, it's always best to gain the permission of the other involved parties before hitting record.
Written vs Verbal Contracts: What's the Verdict?
Fundamentally, most verbal agreements are legally valid as long as they meet all the requirements for a contract. However, if you were to go to court over one party not fulfilling the terms of the contract, proving that the interaction took place can be extremely taxing.
So, ultimately, the question is: written or verbal agreements?
Any good lawyer, contract law firm, or legal professional would advise you to make sure you formalize any professional agreement with a written agreement. Written contracts provide a secure testament to the conditions that were agreed and signed by the two parties involved. If it comes to it, a physical contract is much easier to eviden in legal circumstances.
Freelancers, in particular, should be aware of the extra security that digital contracts may provide. Many people choose to stick to executing contracts verbally because they're not sure how to write a contract, or they think writing out the contract terms is too complicated or requires expensive legal advice. However, this is no longer the case.
Say hello to digital contracts
Today, we have a world of resources available at our fingertips. The internet is a treasure trove of invaluable information, platforms, and software that simplifies our lives. Creating, signing, and sending contracts has never been easier. What's more, you don't have to rely on a hiring a lawyer to explain all that legal jargon anymore.
There are plenty of tools available online for freelancers to use for guidance when drafting digital contracts. Tools like Bonsai provide a range of customizable, vetted contract templates for all kinds of freelance professionals. No matter what industry you're operating in, Bonsai has a professional template to offer.
Benefits of written contracts
A written contract makes the agreement much easier to prove the terms of the agreement in case something were to go awry. The two parties involved can rest assured that they're legal rights are protected, and the terms of the contract are sufficiently documented. Plus, it provides both parties with peace of mind to focus on the tasks at hand.
Create Professional Contracts with Bonsai
Bonsai's product suite for freelancers allows users to make contracts from scratch, or using professional templates, and sign them using an online signature maker.
With Bonsai, you can streamline and automate all of the boring back-office tasks that come with being a freelancer. From creating proposals that clients can't say no to, to sealing the deal with a professional contract - Bonsai will revolutionize the way you do business as a freelancer.
Why not secure your business today and sign up for a free trial?
Join 500,000+ freelancers using Bonsai's free contracts & invoices.
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