Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers an online billing application (see article below), a tool for creating your own Android and iPhone app, a PDF-to-Word conversion utility, a service for logging your mobile calls and archiving your text messages, and software that tracks the time you spend working on matters on your PC. Don't miss the next issue.
Don't Just Bill, Get Paid
It's easy to invoice, but hard to collect, especially when clients can blame the economy (never mind their new Z4 parked right outside your office window). While we don't recommend showing up to your client's office with an offer they can't refuse, you might want to think about using technology to make your invoices easier to review and more difficult to avoid paying.
Ballpark … in One Sentence
Ballpark is an online application for estimate and invoice creation and management.
The Killer Feature
Because your clients must log into Ballpark to view invoices, Ballpark records their activity. Thus, you'll know when your client viewed your invoice. You can attach documents to your invoices such as your client's retainer letter.
Clients can pay your invoice directly from Ballpark using PayPal. Alternatively, they can download your invoice in PDF format for submission and processing.
Below each invoice is a discussion thread for communicating with your client. Thus, your clients can ask questions about their invoice and you can respond. When you or a client posts a message, you receive an email alert.
Other Notable Features
Ballpark's Dashboard enables you to review all activity across your firm, including estimates and invoices sent, payments received, and new messages. You can collaborate on estimates and invoices with colleagues before you send them to clients.
Ballpark works in your Web browser, but you can install a companion desktop program (Mac only) that notifies you of new activity so that you need not keep your browser open. Also, Ballpark has an iPhone-friendly version of its site.
What Else Should You Know?
Ballpark offers four plans — Freelancer ($6/month), Studio ($24/month), Agency ($49/month), and Corporate ($99/month). The plans differ regarding the number of users who can use Ballpark and the number of invoices you can create each month (Corporate has no limits). Learn more about Ballpark.
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So many products, so little time. In each issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire, you'll learn about five new products for the legal profession. Pressed for time? The "In One Sentence" section describes each product in one sentence, and the "Killer Feature" section describes each product's most compelling feature. The TechnoLawyer NewsWire newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.
