To create staff accounts click on the ‘Templates / Settings’ tab, and select ‘User Account’ from the ‘Create New:’ drop down list.

Your staff member can have their own username and password.

When your staff are out selling it is difficult to quickly get a picture of the state of your business.

Everyone either have copies of their own invoices and quotes which need to be sent in every so often. Alternatively you have one person who does all of the invoicing paperwork which creates a bottleneck when they get overloaded.

An easier solution is to use Invoiceplace. All your staff need is internet access and they can log-in from anywhere, create an invoice, email or print and they are done. There is no need to supply invoice templates, everything is available on-line and is always up to date.

Stop using a manual invoice template – upgrade to Invoiceplace for easy online invoicing!

Try Invoiceplace today – Easy Invoicing And Quotes From Anywhere. Sign up for free, click here to start.

Invoiceplace has partnered with Paymate (an Australian Made online payment service) to provide a safe, easy and efficient way to invoice your customers and receive credit card payments. Upgrade to a paperless invoicing system and don’t waste time printing and posting your invoices or waiting in line at the bank.

Use Invoiceplace to create an invoice and email directly to your customer. Your customer simply clicks on a link in the invoice which directs them to the Paymate website to make a secure credit card payment – and the money is deposited directly into your bank account.

There is no need to set-up a merchant bank account – use your existing Australian or New Zealand business bank account to create a seller account in order to receive credit card payments through Paymate.

Paymate seller accounts are available to Australian and New Zealand registered businesses. Receive payments from Visa and Mastercard credit cards in Australian Dollars, US Dollars, Euros, British Pounds or New Zealand Dollars.

You don’t have to worry about receiving or storing credit card numbers. Paymate (an Australian financial services business, licensed with ASIC (Licence No: 290582)) is responsible for processing the payment.

Take advantage of this exciting partnership by following these steps:

1. Register for a free Paymate seller’s account (no set-up fees).

There are no fees to pay to register.

2. Login to Invoiceplace, and enter your Paymate username for your seller’s account in your supplier details.

The Paymate username is required so that your customer can make a payment through your Paymate account. Invoiceplace does not require or have access to your Paymate account.

3. Create an invoice and select ‘Paymate (Credit Card)’ as a payment method.

You can only choose Paymate as a payment method if you have entered a Paymate username in the supplier details. Only invoices created in Australian Dollars, US Dollars, Euros, British Pounds or New Zealand Dollars can use Paymate as a payment method.

4. Save and email the invoice to your customer.

Your customer opens the invoice and clicks on the ‘pay now’ button. This button is displayed in the PDF and Word invoice formats.

Your customer is sent to the secure Paymate express payment website to make an online credit card payment.

5. Create a receipt in Invoiceplace after payment has been received in your bank account.

Choose ‘Paymate (Credit Card)’ as the payment method.

6. Update your invoice templates and quote templates to include Paymate as a payment method.

Edit an existing invoice template and click on the ‘Paymate (Credit Card)’ payment method option.

For more information please visit Paymate, sign-up for a sellers account then update your Invoiceplace account so you can start accepting online credit card payments today!

Try Invoiceplace – Easy Invoicing And Quotes From Anywhere. No sign up required, click here to start.

Sensis (which runs the Australian Yellow Pages, Whites Pages and the Trading post) has made available a free book to help Australian home and small businesses improve their sales and marketing titled Small Business, Big Opportunity.

You can download this book for free, and even order a printed copy.

There are 21 chapters in this free marketing resource, and you can download individual chapters in PDF format:

Chapter 1: Small Business in Australia
There is nothing as rewarding as building your own business. Identify the big issues that affect your business and discover what type of business owner you really are.

* Home-based and medium sized business
* Small business success
* The real causes of business failure
* Business owner types

Chapter 2: The entrepreneurial approach
It’s important to understand entrepreneurs are not born, they are made. Learn about the three steps of entrepreneurial business development, turning ideas into vision, the measurement of success and refining of the approach.
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* Entrepreneurial business development
* Turning ideas into vision
* Measuring marketing and advertising

Chapter 3: Marketing to drive profits
So what is marketing? Marketing should be tightly linked to sales and in small business this is absolutely vital. Learn the many methods of creating value for your customer and the benefits of advertising.

* The basics of marketing
* How marketing affects sales value
* Strategies for increasing sales value
* Increasing prices
* Why advertise?

Chapter 4: Marketing systems
A marketing strategy and good systems are imperative to making your business profitable. Here are some ideas to help you find and retain more of the right customers.

* The right systems for your business
* A marketing systems checklist

Chapter 5: How image and brand drive sales
Every business needs a strong brand and image. First impressions count for a lot so find out here what you can do to promote your brand and get your customers talking about it.

* Where did branding come from?
* What are image and brand all about?
* Why do you need a brand and image?
* Developing and promoting your brand

Chapter 6: Developing your unique buying reason
What is it about your business that appeals to the buyer? We need to stop asking ‘what is it?’ and start asking ‘who is it for?’ and ‘what do they want?’ Learn to market from your customers’ view.

* Defining your promise
* Developing your Unique Buying Reason
* Look at your business from a customer perspective
* Positioning statements

Chapter 7: Finding more of the right customers
Do you know the profile of your ideal customer? Identify your target market, know your customer inside out and the low-cost ways to reach them.

* Target the right customer
* Know your customer
* Customer segmentation
* Investment on new customers

Chapter 8: Turning browsers into buyers
Ever wondered how to turn those browsers into buyers? Find out the secrets to building rapport with your customers and ensure they’ll be satisfied with the service you provide.

* Stop selling
* Why people do and don’t buy
* Establishing trust
* Turn browsers into buyers
* Guarantees
* Phone scripts

Chapter 9: Winning the customer’s heart
Win the hearts of your customers. Increasing sales to the people who are already your customers could be the key to bigger profits. We give you a simple formula to establish just how much you spend to serve your customers.

* Think like a premium brand
* The value of a customer
* Loyalty programs

Chapter 10: Creating advertising that sells
Read the rules for successful advertising. Use our practical points to write ads, slogans and use our design brief template to get your ads looking better than ever.

* Get the message right
* Writing ads
* Slogans
* Graphic design tips and template

Chapter 11: Making your message seen
So what are the right media channels and more specifically advertising channels, for your business? From the internet to text messaging, we give you a heads-up on navigating this complex market.

* Using media channels
* Navigating a complex market
* Media planning template

Chapter 12: Local area marketing
Now it’s time to think local. Break your target market down even further and focus specifically on the best media channels you can use to spread the word amongst your local community.

* Community newspapers
* Local search marketing
* Outdoor signage
* Local directories
* Shopping dockets and word of mouth

Chapter 13: Direct marketing
Direct marketing – it’s important to get it right! Update your databases and read some simple ways to reach many customers with ease and creativity.

* Database management
* Direct marketing tips
* Telemarketing

Chapter 14: Driving results with directory advertising
Directory advertising is different. It’s the place we often turn to when we have already made a decision and we are ready to buy. We give you tips to design your directory ad for print and the internet.

* Buyers not browsers
* Yellow and White Pages directories
* Creating directory ads
* Why should people buy from you?

Chapter 15: Virtual profits – an overview of digital marketing
Digital marketing is fast becoming a very popular mode of reaching customers. We tell you the important reasons why internet marketing should be on the small business marketing agenda. Pick up some web design strategies for your own site as well.

* Online growth
* Why do people shop online?
* Design a website
* Email and viral marketing
* Mobile marketing
* Competitions
* Voice broadcast
* SMS

Chapter 16: Search engine marketing
Online search is a rapidly growing part of our culture. Protecting yourself and brand online is a must, so read here how search engines can work to your benefit. We also provide advice on how to engage a search expert.

* What is search engine marketing?
* How search engines work?
* Tips to successful search engine copywriting
* Protect your brand online
* Tips on engaging a search expert

Chapter 17: Broadcast media
Lights, camera, action! Make TV and radio work for you. We explain the benefits of advertising with both mediums and the ways to keep costs to a minimum.

* Free to air TV
* Making a TV ad
* Write a media brief
* Make radio work

Chapter 18: Print media
We give you some advice for identifying which newspapers and magazines are best for you and how to get your ads placed in the best spots.

* Newspaper advertising- placement, features, colour
* Magazines

Chapter 19: Outdoor advertising
Outdoor advertising options are growing. We look at the advantages of advertising in this medium and you can read the ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ of designing outdoor ads.

* Does it work?
* Advantages of outdoor
* Design
* Measurement and future enhancements
* Advertising in non-traditional places

Chapter 20: Public relations
Cultivating relationships with external stakeholders can play an important role in your businesses success. Learn the best way to handle the media (radio, tv and print) and promote your business through conferences and events.

* Working with the media: newspapers, radio and TV
* Media training
* Writing an article or press release
* Photos and events
* Sponsorship
* Agencies

Chapter 21: The road ahead
Two things should not be forgotten – people and technology. Learn why these are at the forefront of your business.

* People and technology

Try Invoiceplace today – Easy Invoicing And Quotes From Anywhere. No sign up required, click here to start.