Payment terms and deposits for copywriters
Typical terms: 14–30 days after delivery. Day-rate work invoiced weekly or monthly.
Deposits: 50% for new clients or large projects.
Agree your terms in writing before you start. The late payment clause generator writes them for you.
What to include on a copywriter's invoice
Specific to your work
- Word count or deliverable, and the brief or PO reference.
- Whether payment depends on publication — it should not.
Every UK invoice needs
- Your name or business name, address and contact details — and if you're a limited company, its registered name and number.
- The client's name and address (for a company, its exact registered name — check it here).
- A unique, sequential invoice number, and the invoice date.
- A clear description of the work, the date(s) supplied and the amount for each item.
- The total, the due date and how to pay (bank details or a payment link).
- If you're VAT-registered: your VAT number, the VAT rate and amount — use the VAT calculator.