WhatsApp is how most Nigerian freelancers communicate with their clients. So it makes sense that many clients expect to receive invoices on WhatsApp too.
Here's how to do it professionally — and what to avoid.
Many Nigerian freelancers send invoices like this:
"Hi sir/ma, please the invoice for the job I did is below:
Logo design - ₦80,000
Business card - ₦20,000
Total - ₦100,000
Kindly pay to my GTBank account: 0123456789
Thank you"
This is better than nothing, but it's not professional. There's no invoice number, no due date, no formal record, and it's easy for the client to screenshot and dispute later.
1. Create a proper invoice in Soloist or any invoicing tool — with your business details, client details, invoice number, itemised services, due date, and payment details.
2. Download the PDF of the invoice.
3. Send the PDF on WhatsApp with a brief message:
"Hi [Name], I've sent across the invoice for [project name]. Please find it attached. Payment of ₦100,000 is due by [date]. Let me know if you have any questions."
Alternatively, send the invoice link from Soloist:
"Hi [Name], your invoice for [project name] is ready — you can view and pay it here: [link]. It's due by [date]. Thanks!"
The second option is even better because:
For informal conversations and quick updates, WhatsApp is fine. But for formal documents — contracts, invoices, proposals — always create a proper document rather than just typing amounts in a chat.
WhatsApp messages are easy to screenshot, edit, or lose. A proper invoice in PDF format is a legal document.
If a client hasn't paid by the due date, follow up on WhatsApp:
"Hi [Name], I wanted to follow up on Invoice [number] for ₦[amount], which was due on [date]. Could you let me know when I can expect payment? Thanks."
Keep it friendly but clear. Most clients will respond and pay quickly once reminded.
Soloist can send automatic payment reminders to clients via WhatsApp when an invoice is overdue. You don't have to write or send the message yourself — it happens automatically based on the reminder schedule you set.