Let’s start with a quick answer to the main question – yes, it is possible to get invoices from LinkedIn. LinkedIn offers invoicing and payments services through LinkedIn Invoicing which allows freelancers and service providers to send professional invoices directly through the LinkedIn platform.
While LinkedIn is primarily known as a social networking and job search site, over the years it has expanded to offer various business, sales and payments solutions. The ability to invoice clients directly via LinkedIn streamlines the invoicing process and helps freelancers/service providers get paid faster.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about getting invoices from LinkedIn, including:
- What is LinkedIn Invoicing and how does it work?
- What are the key benefits of using LinkedIn Invoicing?
- Who can send invoices via LinkedIn and how to get started?
- What invoice information can you include?
- How clients can pay LinkedIn invoices
- LinkedIn Invoicing pricing and fees
- Pros and cons of using LinkedIn Invoicing
- LinkedIn Invoicing alternatives
- FAQs about LinkedIn Invoicing
So if you are looking to streamline getting paid for your freelance or consulting work, sending professional invoices directly via LinkedIn is a great option to consider.
What is LinkedIn Invoicing and How Does it Work?
LinkedIn Invoicing is an integrated invoicing and payments solution within the LinkedIn platform. It allows LinkedIn members to easily create, manage and send professional invoices directly to clients and customers worldwide.
With LinkedIn Invoicing you can:
- Create branded, customizable invoices directly on LinkedIn
- Seamlessly connect your LinkedIn profile to invoices
- Send invoices via email and allow online viewing/payments
- Accept credit card and bank transfer payments
- Manage invoices, client information, and payment history all in one place
It provides a simple end-to-end invoicing and payment processing system through your existing LinkedIn account.
Here is a quick 4 step overview of how LinkedIn Invoicing works:
- Activate LinkedIn Invoicing and create your invoice template – You can create branded, customizable invoice templates from your LinkedIn account.
- Send invoices to clients – Using the LinkedIn messaging and contacts platform you can easily send invoices via email with online pay links.
- Get paid online or offline – Clients can pay your LinkedIn invoices instantly online via credit card or bank transfer. Offline options are also available.
- Manage all invoices and activity in one place – The LinkedIn Invoicing dashboard centralizes your client information, invoices, reminders and payment tracking.
It provides seamless integration between invoicing, messaging, payments and your professional LinkedIn profile and network.
Benefits of Using LinkedIn Invoicing
Using LinkedIn Invoicing offers a number of useful benefits, especially for freelancers, consultants and service providers:
- Professional Branded Invoices – Create customized, professional invoices that showcase your brand and business.
- Streamlined Invoice Sending – Seamlessly send invoices to clients and customers within LinkedIn.
- Get Paid Faster – Allow quick online payments by credit card or bank transfer.
- Payment Reminders – Automatic reminders to clients about pending invoices.
- Centralized Management – Dashboard to track all invoice activity and payments in one place.
- Invoicing on the Go – Create/send invoices and track payments via iOS and Android apps.
- No Invoice Limits – Unlimited invoicing with entry level plan (only pay per transaction fees).
- Client Management – CRM-like system to manage your LinkedIn clients and contacts.
The seamless integration with your LinkedIn account and network activity provides unique advantages over standalone invoicing platforms.
Who Can Send Invoices and How to Get Started
LinkedIn Invoicing is designed specifically for freelancers, consultants, service providers and solopreneurs running their own business through LinkedIn.
To send professional invoices via LinkedIn, you need:
- A LinkedIn account (Premium accounts get added features but are not required)
- LinkedIn ProFinder service (free to join)
- Join the LinkedIn Invoicing service (free or paid plan)
Here are the steps to get started with LinkedIn Invoicing:
- Make sure your LinkedIn profile is complete – Have an optimized service provider style profile showcasing your business.
- Join ProFinder – This allows you to list services directly on your profile and proposes you to potential clients.
- Activate LinkedIn Invoicing – Go to LinkedIn Invoicing and activate a Free or Paid plan.
- Set up your invoice branding – Create customized invoice templates that represent your brand.
- Add client details – Upload contacts/clients to seamlessly invoice within LinkedIn.
- Send your first invoice! – Craft your invoice, add payment terms and hit send via LinkedIn messages.
It only takes a few minutes to start sending professional invoices through your LinkedIn account.
Invoice Information You Can Include
The great thing about LinkedIn Invoicing is that you can extensively customize the information on your invoices.
Here are some of the key details you can include on LinkedIn invoices:
- Your business name, address and contact info
- Invoice number and date
- Client name and billing address
- Itemized list of services provided
- Invoice total amount
- Tax details
- Payment terms and due date
- Bank account details for transfers
- Your payment terms and conditions
- Your logo and branding elements
You are also provided invoice fields for notes, descriptions and other specific details for your clients.
Advanced customization is available on Paid plans which unlocks features like adding your own invoice templates.
How Clients Can Pay LinkedIn Invoices
Once you send out invoices, you want to get paid quickly and seamlessly. LinkedIn Invoicing provides clients with simple online and offline payment options:
Online Payments
- Instant credit card payments – Clients can securely pay via Visa, Mastercard, American Express online.
- Bank transfers – LinkedIn allows for fast bank transfer payments in supported countries.
Online payments go directly to your connected payment account.
Offline Payments
You can also allow offline options by checking on your invoice:
- Checks – Clients can mail checks to your provided billing address.
- Bank transfers – Clients can send wires/transfers outside the LinkedIn system.
- Cash – For in-person transactions and local clients.
For offline payments, you will need to manually mark invoices as paid.
So LinkedIn provides flexible online and offline payment methods based on your specific invoice requirements and client needs.
LinkedIn Invoicing Pricing and Fees
LinkedIn offers two main invoicing plan options:
Free Plan
The Free plan allows you to:
- Send unlimited invoices
- Accept credit card payments
- Access basic client and invoicing management
The catch is you have to pay a 2.9% + $0.30 processing fee per transaction. So it is technically free to invoice clients, but you pay fees when a payment goes through.
Paid Plans
There are three Paid tiers that each unlock additional features:
- Basic – $12.50/month, payment processing fee 1%
- Professional – $25/month, payment processing fee 0.8%
- Premium – $50/month, payment processing fee 0.6%
Higher tiers reduce the credit card payment processing percentages. You get access to advanced invoice customization, multiple users, higher limits, and integration with accounting software.
So evaluate if the extra Paid features are worth it for higher invoice volume and added functionality.
The Pros and Cons of LinkedIn Invoicing
Here is an overview of some of the key advantages and potential drawbacks of using LinkedIn Invoicing:
Pros
- Seamlessly integrate invoicing into your LinkedIn presence and network
- Customized, professional invoice templates
- Easily send invoices directly to your LinkedIn connections
- Get paid quickly with online payment options
- Centrally track all invoicing and client activity
- Reasonable pricing options for solopreneurs
- Mobile app allows on-the-go access
Cons
- Processing fees per transaction (unless on Premium plan)
- Steep pricing for high volume invoice senders
- Need to join ProFinder and have an established LinkedIn presence
- Limited customer support resources
- Potential privacy concerns of linking finances to social network
Assess if the pros of simplified invoicing integrated with LinkedIn outweigh any cons that apply to your specific needs and business model.
LinkedIn Invoicing Alternatives
While LinkedIn Invoicing has unique integration benefits, there are alternative online invoicing platforms to consider:
FreshBooks
- Very user-friendly, intuitive interface
- Robust time tracking and expense features
- Accounting integration capabilities
- Strong multi-user team management options
Wave
- 100% free invoicing plan
- Unlimited invoices and automation
- Excellent for very small, solo businesses
- Basic features compared to paid platforms
PayPal Invoicing
- Easy integration if you already use PayPal
- Clients can pay invoices directly with PayPal balance
- Higher transaction fees than other invoicing apps
QuickBooks Invoicing
- Seamless integration for QuickBooks Online users
- Can handle high invoice volume
- More robust features for larger businesses
- On the expensive side for freelancers
Depending on your needs and existing accounting setup, a standalone platform may be a better fit than LinkedIn Invoicing.
FAQs about LinkedIn Invoicing
Let’s review answers to some frequently asked questions about using LinkedIn’s invoicing solution:
How do I sign up for LinkedIn Invoicing?
Go to the LinkedIn Invoicing homepage and click “Get Started”. Choose between the Free plan or paid Monthly subscription. Connect your payment account to activate invoicing.
What payment methods can clients use?
LinkedIn supports online credit card payments or bank transfers. You can also allow offline check or cash payments.
Are there country restrictions?
LinkedIn Invoicing works in over 100 countries. But bank transfers are only available in select countries.
Can I export invoice data?
Yes, both PDF and CSV exports allow you to download your LinkedIn invoice data.
Is there accounting software integration?
Paid plans allow you to connect to QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, XERO or Sage Accounting.
Can I send automatic payment reminders?
Yes, you can easily configure automatic email payment reminders through LinkedIn Invoicing.
Is there mobile app support?
LinkedIn Invoicing offers iOS and Android mobile apps to manage invoices on-the-go.
How do I cancel LinkedIn Invoicing?
You can cancel and deactivate invoicing directly from the Settings section. Downgrade or cancel anytime.
Hopefully this comprehensive guide answered all your key questions surrounding getting and sending professional invoices directly through your LinkedIn account.
LinkedIn Invoicing provides a unique opportunity to integrate your invoicing process directly into your established LinkedIn business presence and networking activity.
While it has limitations for large or complex businesses, for solopreneurs and freelancers LinkedIn Invoicing is an innovative tool to get paid quickly and efficiently for your service-based work.
Conclusion
Invoicing clients directly through LinkedIn provides a convenient way for consultants, freelancers and independent professionals to get paid for their work. By allowing quick and easy online payments, LinkedIn Invoicing facilitates faster client payment with minimal effort.
However, LinkedIn Invoicing may not be the right solution for every business. Those sending high volumes of invoices or needing advanced accounting features may be better served by more full-featured standalone invoicing platforms. But for modest invoicing needs already integrated into LinkedIn, it is a unique and helpful tool to streamline getting paid.
