The end of each month is invoice time for many small businesses, so this is a good time to have a look at your invoices and make sure they're doing the job. The main purpose of sending an invoice is to get prompt payment for products or services rendered.

Use Invoices That Encourage Action tells how to make sure your invoice format is giving your customers the message that you want to be paid promptly.

The other thing to consider when you're looking at your invoices is whether or not you also want to use them to bring in more business. Using Promos With Invoices presents ideas for turning your invoices into marketing vehicles.

And the invoice procedure itself? See How to Invoice for details on what information your invoice has to include and a sample invoice.