How to Attach a Contract to an Invoice: A Step-by-Step Guide

Olivier Rousseau
17 April 2024 2 min read

In this guide, you will learn how to attach contracts to invoices and streamline your business processes.

Topics we’ll cover:

  1. Create your invoice
  2. Attach a contract
  3. Manage and track contract status
  4. Customize your invoices
  5. Customizing your contracts
  6. Send Contracts and Collect Payments

Create your invoice

The first thing you’ll need to do is create a client and an invoice. Start by logging into your Activity Messenger dashboard. Navigate to the e-commerce module to start the process.

Create an invoice

Once in the e-Commerce module, select the “Invoice” option. This will take you to a section to create a new invoice.

Select a client:

The next step is to select a client from your existing database. You can also add a new customer at this stage to ensure that all customer information is up to date and accurate.

Creating an invoice and contract for a Client

Start building your invoice:

Once you select a client, you will be presented with a blank invoice template. You can start by entering the customer details. These are usually filled in automatically based on the customer selection, ensuring consistency and saving time.

Add Services or Bookings to the Invoice

Activity Messenger’s invoicing system allows you to add a wide range of items to your invoice. This includes, but is not limited to, class registrations, event tickets, membership fees, and even custom fees for unique services. Each category is designed to capture specific details pertinent to the service provided.

Add Services or Bookings to the Invoice

Customizing the Invoice Further:

  • Additional Information: You can add a detailed description of the space being rented and any additional conditions your clients should know about. This could include facilities available during the rental period or any restrictions.
  • Discounts or Promotions: If any promotions or discounts apply, such as a first-time booking discount or loyalty program benefit, you can apply them directly to the invoice.
  • Taxes and Additional Fees: Ensure that all applicable taxes or additional fees are included on the invoice. This provides a complete and transparent financial document.

Customizing the Invoice Further:

Attach a contract

Next, you’ll want to attach a contract to the invoice and client profile before sending the invoice to be paid at the same time the contract is signed.

How to Attach a Contract:

Click the “Attach a Contract” button to access your library of pre-saved contract documents. Here’s how to make sure you select the right contract for the transaction:

  1. Review Available Contracts: Start by reviewing the types of contracts you have. These can range from general rental agreements for the use of facilities to specific contracts for unique services, memberships, or events.
  2. Match Contract to Service Type: Select a contract that best matches the type of service listed on the invoice. For example, if you are billing for space rental, select a space rental agreement.
  3. Customization of Contracts: It may be necessary to customize a contract for more personalized service provisions. Use a template that allows you to make changes or additions to specific clauses that are relevant to the current transaction.

Attach a contract to you invoice

Importance of Clear Terms

Attaching the correct contract with clear, unambiguous terms is critical not just for legal compliance but also for maintaining a transparent and trustworthy relationship with your clients. Here’s why clear terms are crucial:

  1. Scope of Service: The contract should clearly define what is included in the service or booking, including any deliverables, time frames, and special terms and conditions. This helps to reduce misunderstandings between the service provider and the client, and helps to set the right expectations.
  2. Payment Terms: Detailed terms and conditions of payment, including the amount due, payment dates, accepted methods of payment, and penalties for late payment, must be explicitly stated. This ensures that both parties understand their financial obligations.
  3. Cancellation Policies: Especially in industries where bookings and reservations are common, clear cancellation policies are essential. The process and fees associated with canceling a service should be detailed in these policies.
  4. Liability Clauses: Liability clauses protect both the company and the customer by defining the scope of each party’s responsibilities and liabilities. This is especially important for services that involve physical activities or the use of facilities where there is a potential for accidents or damage.

Design your contract

Manage and track contract status

You’ll need a robust system to track the status of each contract attached to an invoice. With Activity Messenger, you can manage the document through different stages of the client interaction.

Contract Status Levels

  • Draft: Make any necessary adjustments before the customer sees the contract. This is critical to ensuring that all information is accurate and tailored to the specific transaction.
  • Sent: After review, send the contract to the customer. They can review and sign it digitally, simplifying the process.
  • Signed: After the customer signs the contract, it updates to ‘Signed’. This status confirms that the customer has agreed to the terms and conditions, making the agreement legally binding.

Manage and track contract status

Customizing Your Invoices for Different Needs

Whether you are billing for a class, selling event tickets, or managing memberships, you can tailor each invoice to reflect the specific services and products you offer. Here’s how you can customize your invoices for different business activities:

Class, Camp, or Activity Registration:

When billing for classes or activities, you can include detailed descriptions of session times, dates, and instructors. You can also add discounts for early registration or multiple class bookings.

Class, Camp, or Activity Registration:

Event Ticket:

For event tickets, your invoices can include information such as venue details, and event dates. To make managing tickets easy, the system includes a unique ticket with a QR code attached to the invoice.

Merchandise or Products:

You can customize invoices to include pictures of items, SKU numbers, and detailed descriptions when selling goods or products. This helps maintain clarity and provides a detailed receipt. Customers can use this receipt for warranty or return purposes.

Add Merchandise or Products to your invoice with contract

Private Lessons:

Private lessons can be personalized with client and instructor names, lesson objectives, and a progression plan. You can also include cancellation policies and any prepayment requirements.

Membership:

When billing for memberships, it is often necessary to detail the length of membership, benefits, and renewal terms directly on the invoice. User-defined fields can be added to capture member-specific information, such as membership numbers or including dependents, if applicable.

Add Memberships to your invoice

Equipment Rental:

For businesses that rent equipment, whether for sports, rentals, or events, it’s equally important to include a detailed rental agreement with each invoice.

Bookings:

For bookings, you can specify the time, date, duration, and any special conditions or instructions relevant to the booking. This helps to ensure that all of the terms and conditions are agreed upon and documented up front.

Include an invoice and contract to a booking

 

Custom Item:

For any service or product that doesn’t fit into one of the standard categories, you can add a custom line item to your invoice. This flexibility allows you to define unique descriptions, set prices, and even include special terms and conditions that apply specifically to the custom line item.

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By leveraging these customization options, you can create detailed and customized invoices for each client and attach the right contract. Each invoice will reflect your attention to detail and commitment to providing customized services to your clients.

Customizing your contracts

The ability to tailor contracts to the nuances of each transaction is critical when creating contracts. This flexibility ensures that each contract is an accurate reflection of the specifics of the deal and effectively protects both parties. Here’s how to do it:

Adjust Client Information Fields:

The type of transaction may require different information from the customer. For example, a gym membership contract may require health-related information, while a rental contract may only require identification and contact information. Customizable fields allow you to capture exactly the information needed for each type of contract.

Adjust Client Information Fields:

Modify Terms and Conditions:

Terms and conditions are at the heart of every contract. Each contract should be tailored to the specifics of the transaction. It should include payment terms, service levels, deliverables, and obligations of both parties.

Modify Terms and Conditions:

Include Digital Signatures:

Contracts that require digital signatures can accelerate and streamline the signing process. You’ll get faster turnaround and less paperwork. Contracts can be executed immediately and are stored securely.

Include Digital Signatures:

More options for your contracts

A contract serves as the final agreement between two parties and should include all pertinent information to avoid future conflicts. Here’s how you can enrich your contracts:

Add Content and Conditions

  1. Including Images: For contracts involving physical products, properties, or facilities, including images can provide clarity and avoid misunderstandings about the expected condition or appearance of the item or space.
  2. Emergency Contact Forms: Including a section for emergency contacts and relevant medical information is especially important for contracts that involve children, sports, or activities where there is a risk of injury.
  3. Multiple Participants: The contract can be customized to include details about all participants for services that involve more than one participant, such as family memberships, group bookings, or corporate events.
  4. Specific Needs: Depending on the nature of the transaction, there may be a need for specific clauses or terms and conditions. For example, an event rental agreement may need to include clauses related to decorating, serving alcohol, or noise. A service contract may include non-disclosure or non-compete clauses.

 

Sending Contracts and Collecting Payments

Sending Your Contracts

Once your invoice and attached contract are ready, the next step is to get them out to your customers in an efficient and secure manner. Activity Messenger offers versatile options to meet your and your customers’ preferences for communication and payment methods. Here’s how to send your contracts and invoices:

Send your contracts by Email: This is the most common way to send invoices and contracts. You can send beautifully designed emails that include all the necessary details along with attachments. The platform allows you to customize the email template to match your branding for a professional look and feel. Customers can view, sign, and pay directly from the email they receive.

Send your contracts by SMS: For instant communication, SMS can be an effective way to notify customers of their invoices and contracts. SMS is particularly useful for time-sensitive communications, ensuring that customers receive and review their documents promptly. Links to the invoice and contract are included in the text message, providing a direct path for customers to take action from their smartphone.

How to send your contracts by sms

Collect Payments

  • Credit Card Payments: Activity Messenger supports online payment integration, allowing customers to pay their bills directly with their credit cards. This convenience increases the likelihood of on-time payments and simplifies the transaction process for both parties.
  • Offline Payment Options: Understanding that not all transactions can or will be completed online, Activity Messenger also accommodates offline payments. This can include checks, cash, or wire transfers. Once received, you can manually update the payment status in the system to keep records accurate and up to date.

The platform also also you to schedule payments for larger sized invoices.

Schedule payments

Practical Use Cases

Sports Club Memberships

Attach a detailed membership agreement when invoicing for seasonal or annual sports club memberships. This should clearly outline the membership duration, fees, perks, and cancellation policy.

Facility Rentals

For facility rentals, attaching a detailed contract with each booking invoice ensures all parties understand the terms. Include specifics about space usage, deposit requirements, cancellation terms, and any penalties.

Product Sales

When selling sports equipment or merchandise, attach a sales contract that details the warranty period, return policies, and specific conditions of sale. This is especially important for high-value items.

Equipment rental

For businesses that rent equipment, whether for sports or events, it is essential to include a comprehensive rental agreement with each invoice. . You can also combine space rental with equipment rental on the same invoice.

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If your looking to streamline your invoicing and contracts, book a quick intro call with on of our experts.

FAQ

1. What types of contracts can be attached to an invoice?

You can attach any relevant contracts, such as service agreements, rental contracts, membership terms, or customized agreements tailored to specific transactions.

2. How can I customize an invoice for different services like memberships, rental or bookings?

Activity Messenger allows you to customize invoices by adding details such as service descriptions, class times, membership automations, or rental date & time, etc

3. Is it possible to send invoices and contracts via SMS?

Many modern platforms support the sending of invoices and contracts via SMS, which is a convenient and direct way to communicate with customers.

4. What payment methods are typically accepted for online invoices?

Online invoices typically support multiple payment methods, including credit cards, online payment gateways such as PayPal, and sometimes direct bank transfers.

5. Can I track the payment status of sent invoices?

Most invoicing platforms provide capabilities to track the payment status of invoices, including stages from sent to received and paid.

6. How do I add custom items or services to an invoice?

Most invoicing systems allow you to add custom items or services. You can enter details such as descriptions and prices directly into the invoice.

7. What should I do if my client doesn’t receive the invoice or contract?

If a customer does not receive an invoice or contract, first verify that the contact information is correct and then resend the documents. If you only sent it by email, it would be a good idea to resend by SMS.

8. Is there a way to view a history of all invoices and contracts sent to a specific client?

Most billing platforms maintain a comprehensive history of transactions, invoices, and contracts per customer, typically accessible through the customer’s profile or a dedicated dashboard.

Written by Olivier Rousseau Olivier is a kids sports programs owner who has been operating for over a decade with locations in Montreal, Quebec city & Ottawa. He also helps Gymnastics Club, Swim Schools and Dance Studios streamline their operations. He is the co-founder of Activity Messenger an online registration platform for the sports & leisure industry.

How to Attach a Contract to an Invoice: A Step-by-Step Guide

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