How Artists Can Invoice (Beginner‑Friendly Guide)

Simplify your billing with this Sample Artist Invoice, designed to help artists get paid easily and professionally. Perfect for documenting your performances with clear details and bank information, ensuring a smooth and efficient payment process.

If you’re an artist and the word invoice sounds scary or complicated — don’t worry. An invoice is just a simple note that says “This is the work I did and this is the amount to be paid.” Nothing more.

This guide explains invoicing in the easiest way possible.

1. What Is an Invoice?

An invoice is a bill for your work.

If you sing at a wedding, teach a class, play drums at a concert, or do a studio session — you deserve a written record for payment. That record is called an invoice.

You can even make it in Word, Google Docs, or Excel.

2. Do Artists Really Need Invoices?

Yes — even beginners.

An invoice helps you:

• Get paid without awkward follow‑ups

• Avoid confusion after the gig

• Look professional

• Track how much you earn

Even if you’re paid by UPI or cash, an invoice is useful.

3. Who Do You Send the Invoice To?

It depends on how you got the gig:

• If a client booked you directly → Send invoice to the client

• If you got the gig via a platform (like MOCHSHA) → Send invoice to the platform

Always ask this before the event.

4. What Details Should Be on the Invoice?

Keep it very simple. Your invoice should have:

• Invoice number (INV‑01, INV‑02, etc.)

• Date

• Your name or band name

• Phone number

• Client / platform name

• What work you did (Live music performance, guitar class, studio session)

• Event or session date

• Amount agreed

• Bank details (Account number + IFSC)

That’s enough for most gigs.

5. Do You Need GST?

Short answer: Most beginners don’t.

• If you don’t have GST → Don’t add GST

• If you have GST → You must add it (usually 18%)

Not having GST is completely okay when starting out.

6. What Is TDS? (Simple Explanation)

Sometimes companies or platforms deduct a small amount called TDS before paying you.

This is normal.

• You’ll get paid slightly less now

• That amount is already paid as tax for you

• You can claim it later while filing income tax

Nothing to panic about.

7. Common Beginner Mistakes

Try to avoid these:

• No invoice at all

• Forgetting event date or service type

• Giving wrong bank details

• Adding GST without registration

• Not keeping invoice copies

Small mistakes = delayed payments.

8. How MOCHSHA Makes This Easy

When you book gigs through MOCHSHA:

• Client pays in advance

• Payment is held safely

• Gig completion is checked

• Platform fee is clear

• Remaining money is paid to you

• Proper records for future reference

So you can focus on music, not payments.

Final Thought

Invoicing is not paperwork: it’s self‑respect.

If you’re serious about music, start invoicing early. It keeps things clear, professional, and stress‑free.

MOCHSHA is built to support artists at every stage :beginners included.