Copywriting invoice template
For copywriters and content writers: website copy, email sequences, ad sets, blog posts and retainers, with revision and rush lines so the scope is clear. Edit, choose tax, download a PDF.
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Copywriter / Studio Profile
Copywriting Deliverables & Packages
Sample lines: website copy, email sequence, blog posts. Edit or replace them. Agree scope, revision rounds and payment dates in writing first. The usual SAC code here is 998361 (advertising copy) or 998399 (other professional services); confirm the tax treatment for your work.
Invoice preview
On smaller screens, swipe sideways or focus the preview and use the arrow keys to see all columns. Download PDF exports the invoice below.
Price the work, not the word count
Clients who buy copy are buying outcomes: a page that converts, an email series that onboards users. Price by deliverable and spell out what each one includes: research call, number of drafts, revision rounds, word range. Then put exactly those lines on the invoice. Per-word pricing still works for SEO articles and bulk product descriptions, so the generator lets you use either.
Sample copywriting invoice
| Deliverable | Qty | Rate (₹) | Amount (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website copy: home, about, services, contact (incl. 1 research call, 2 revision rounds) | 1 | 28,000 | 28,000 |
| Welcome email sequence: 5 emails, ~250 words each | 1 | 15,000 | 15,000 |
| Meta and Google ad copy set: 10 variations | 1 | 8,000 | 8,000 |
| SEO blog posts, 1,200 words (₹3 per word) | 3 | 3,600 | 10,800 |
| Rush delivery, sales page (48-hour turnaround) | 1 | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| Subtotal | 65,800 | ||
| CGST 9% + SGST 9% | 11,844 | ||
| Total due | 77,644 | ||
What makes a copywriting invoice clear
- Name the asset and the scope: “5-email welcome sequence, ~250 words each”, not “Email writing”.
- Say what the fee includes: research, number of drafts and revision rounds.
- Separate extras: rush fees, additional revision rounds, rewrites after a changed brief, interview transcription.
- Retainers: one line per month with the cap, plus any overflow pieces billed separately.
- Kill fee: if a project is cancelled mid-way, bill the agreed percentage (often 25–50%) as its own line and cite the contract.
GST and TDS for writers
Writing and content services are taxed at 18% once you are GST-registered, which is mandatory above ₹20 lakh of aggregate turnover (₹10 lakh in Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura). Below that, choose Not GST-registered and your invoice shows no tax. Clients in your state get CGST + SGST; clients in other states get IGST. For overseas clients, file a LUT and choose Export under LUT.
Agencies and companies often deduct TDS on professional fees before paying. Your invoice still shows the full amount; the client sends you a TDS certificate, and you claim the credit when you file your return.
Payment terms writers use
- “50% on brief approval, 50% on first-draft delivery.” Many writers bill the balance on first draft, not after final revisions, so a slow review doesn’t hold up payment.
- “Two revision rounds included, within 14 days of delivery.”
- “Copyright transfers to the client on full payment.”
- “Retainer billed on the 1st, payable within 7 days.”
Before you send the copy itself, run it through the readability checker and word counter. They’re handy for confirming word ranges you promised.
Frequently asked questions
Should copywriters bill per word or per project?
Per project or per deliverable is more common for conversion copy (a sales page, a 5-email sequence), because value isn’t tied to length. Per word suits blog and SEO content at volume. Many writers quote per project and show word counts only for reference.
What SAC code do copywriters use?
There is no SAC code just for copywriting. Copy written for advertising campaigns is often classified under 998361 (advertising services), and general writing and content services under 998399. Both are 18% GST. Some writing work may fit 999632 (services of authors and other artists); confirm with your CA.
How do I bill a monthly content retainer?
One line per month that states the scope cap, for example “October retainer: 4 blog posts (1,200 words), 8 social captions, 1 newsletter”. Bill at the start of the month and list any extra pieces as separate lines.
Should revisions be a separate line?
Say how many revision rounds the fee includes. Bill extra rounds or major rewrites caused by a changed brief as their own line, so the client sees exactly why the total changed.
Do I add GST if I write for a foreign client?
Not if you file a Letter of Undertaking (LUT). Choose “Export under LUT” and the invoice carries the required declaration with no IGST added.
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