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 feeling of frustration.
The problem isn't your invoice — it’s that it was the first time your client saw the final, itemized bill. You've merged the “review” step with the “pay me now” step — creating tension and confusion.
There’s a better way: The Approval-First Method.
The Problem: “Invoice Ambush”
When you send an invoice directly, you’re 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 question about Step 1, it blocks Step 2 — causing disputes and delays.
The Solution: Separate “Review” from “Pay”
The “Approval-First” method splits the process into two clear, stress-free steps.
Send a “Brief” (The Pre-Invoice)
Before you even create INV-0042.pdf, send your client a “Brief.”
What is a Brief?
A simple, professional document (not a legal invoice) summarizing your work: “Here’s what we completed this month — does it all look correct?”
It lists the same line items and total but feels collaborative — not confrontational.
Get the Client’s Approval
Clients can review calmly without the pressure of payment. They have two clear choices:
✓ “Looks great!”
Approved with a single click.
⚠ “Hold on...”
They can request a correction, like “You forgot the 10-hour retainer.”
You resolve all issues before an invoice ever exists.
Send the Invoice (Final Bill)
After approval, send the invoice. Now it’s purely procedural. Every line item is pre-agreed, and payments arrive fast — dispute-free.
The Bottom Line
This workflow stops the chaos, builds trust, and ensures you get paid faster — without awkward invoice conversations.