Invoice Template for Freelance Copywriters — UK Guide
Whether you charge per word, per project, or on a monthly retainer — here is everything you need to invoice clients correctly as a freelance copywriter in the UK, and get paid without chasing.
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Pricing models for copywriters
The right pricing model depends on the type of copy and your client relationship. Most copywriters use a mix — project fees for strategic work, per-word for volume content.
Per word
Common for articles & blogsCharge a set rate per word. Works well for blog posts, articles, and web copy where output volume is easy to measure. Typical UK rates range from £0.05 to £0.20+ per word depending on specialism.
Blog post — 1,200 words × £0.10/word = £120
Per project
Most common for web copyA fixed fee for a defined deliverable. Ideal for landing pages, email sequences, and brand copy where the value is in the outcome rather than the word count.
Homepage copy (600 words) = £350
Day rate / hourly
Best for strategy & editingBill by the day or hour. Suits ongoing content strategy, editing, or work where scope is fluid. Gives clients flexibility and protects you from scope creep.
2 days copywriting × £350/day = £700
Monthly retainer
Best for ongoing clientsA recurring fee for a defined content package — typically a set number of blog posts, emails, or social assets per month. Predictable income for you; consistent content for the client.
Monthly retainer — 4 blog posts = £800
Invoice checklist for copywriters
A well-structured invoice reduces the chance of a query from your client's accounts department — the most common reason copy invoices get delayed.
Invoice number
A sequential reference — e.g. INV-001. Essential for both your records and your client's accounts team.
Your name / trading name
Your full name, or your copywriting business name if you trade under one.
Your address and contact email
Required for HMRC records. Your address and professional email are enough.
Client name and address
Use the legal entity name — often different from the brand name. Ask if you are unsure.
Invoice date and payment due date
For copywriting work, 14 days is increasingly standard and reasonable. See the section below on payment terms.
Description of the work
Specific descriptions reduce queries. "5× blog posts, 800 words each, for client.com" is clearer than "content writing."
Word counts or deliverable quantities
If billing per word, include the word count per piece. If per project, name the deliverable clearly.
Rate and total per line item
Show the calculation — £0.10/word × 1,200 words = £120 — so the client can verify it easily.
Total amount due
State GBP clearly. If you have agreed expenses (e.g. stock images, research access), list them separately.
Payment details
Your UK sort code and account number. For overseas clients, add IBAN and BIC/SWIFT.
Late payment clause
Recommended for all invoices. Protects your right to charge interest under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act 1998.
How to describe copy work on an invoice
Vague line items cause delays. Your client's accounts team may never have seen your brief or your contract — they need the invoice alone to understand what they are paying for and to match it against any internal approvals. Specific descriptions also protect you if a client queries whether a deliverable was completed.
Too vague
Clear and payable
Copy
Homepage copy — 600 words = £350
Blog content
5× blog posts, 800 words each (SEO-optimised for target keywords) = £600
Email campaign
Email welcome sequence — 5 emails (approx. 300 words each) = £550
Social media
20× social media captions (Instagram + LinkedIn), October batch = £240
Copywriting
Product descriptions — 30 SKUs × 80 words = £360
Content package
Monthly content retainer — 4 blog posts (800–1,000 words each) = £800
Usage rights tip: If your fee includes a usage licence (e.g. exclusive rights, or rights for a specific channel or territory), include a brief note on the invoice — for example: “Includes licence for use on client's website only. All other rights reserved.” This creates a paper trail and clarifies the scope of what the client has paid for.
Rush fees, revisions, and additional charges
Additional charges are legitimate and common in copywriting. The key is to agree them in advance and reference the agreement when you invoice.
Rush fee
+25–50%
Standard for same-day or next-day turnaround. State your rush rate in your terms.
Additional revision round
£50–£150
Charge per round beyond the included rounds. Specify included rounds in your proposal.
Expenses
At cost
Stock images, research subscriptions, tools bought for the client. Invoice at cost with receipts.
How to invoice a rush fee: Add it as a separate line item rather than rolling it into the project fee. For example: “Rush delivery surcharge (same-day turnaround, agreed [date]) = £75.” This keeps your standard rate visible and makes the surcharge clearly justified.
Getting paid as a copywriter
Late payment is one of the most common frustrations for freelance copywriters. The good news is that most payment delays are preventable with the right invoicing habits.
Use 14-day terms, not 30
Thirty-day payment terms are a legacy of large corporate billing cycles. For freelance copy work, 14 days is entirely standard and reasonable. Shorter terms also mean disputes are resolved faster. Always state the specific due date on the invoice (e.g. "Payment due: 31 March 2026") rather than "net 14" — it removes all ambiguity.
Invoice the moment the work is delivered
The payment clock starts when your client receives the invoice — not when you finish writing. If you wait three days to invoice, you have given yourself three extra days of unpaid work. Send the invoice the same day you deliver the copy.
Ask for a deposit from new clients
For new clients or projects over £500, a 50% deposit upfront is standard practice. It confirms the client is committed and covers your time if the project is cancelled. Invoice the deposit before you start and the balance on delivery.
Follow up the day after the due date
A short, professional email the day after a missed payment date is usually enough to trigger action. Most late payments are administrative oversights rather than deliberate delays. Invoa can send these reminders automatically.
Know your rights under the Late Payment Act
Under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, you can charge statutory interest at 8% above the Bank of England base rate on overdue B2B invoices, plus a fixed debt recovery fee of £40 (for debts under £1,000). Adding a late payment clause to your invoice sets this expectation from the start.
Suggested late payment clause wording
“Payment is due within 14 days of invoice date. In accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, interest will be charged at 8% above the Bank of England base rate on any overdue amount, together with reasonable debt recovery costs.”
Frequently asked questions
Should a copywriter invoice per word or per project?
Both are common and there is no single right answer. Per-word billing works well for high-volume content (blog posts, articles) where output is easy to measure. Per-project billing suits strategic copy — landing pages, email sequences, brand copy — where you are selling the outcome, not the word count. Many copywriters use per-project pricing for web copy and per-word for ongoing content. The key is to agree the pricing model with the client before starting work.
What should a freelance copywriter include in the invoice description?
Be specific about what you delivered. Include the deliverable type (e.g. "blog post," "email sequence"), the quantity, the approximate word count, and the publication or project name if relevant. For example: "5× blog posts, 800 words each, for [Client] blog, September 2025." A detailed description reduces queries from your client's accounts team and speeds up payment.
Can a copywriter charge extra for rush work or additional revisions?
Yes, and you should. Rush fees (typically 25–50% on top of your standard rate) are standard practice for same-day or next-day turnarounds. For revisions, most copywriters include one or two rounds in the project fee and charge separately for additional rounds beyond that. Specify your revision policy in your terms or proposal before starting work, then reference it on the invoice if you are charging.
Should a copywriter invoice on 14-day or 30-day terms?
Fourteen-day terms are increasingly standard for freelance copywriters in the UK and are entirely reasonable. Thirty-day terms are typically used by large agencies billing corporate clients. For most freelance copy work — especially with SMEs and startups — 14 days is the norm. Shorter terms also mean you are paid before any disputes can fester. Always state the due date explicitly on the invoice (e.g. "Payment due by 31 March 2026") rather than just "14 days net."
Freelance invoice template
Day rates, projects & retainers
Self-employed invoice guide
HMRC records & Self Assessment
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