Guides
Step-by-step walkthroughs for the most common freelancer workflows in Accordio.
Getting Set Up
Complete your profile and Stripe setup
Contract to Payment
The complete freelance project flow
Quick Invoice
Send an invoice and get paid fast
Winning Proposal
Create proposals that close deals
Guide: Getting Set Up
Complete these steps to start sending contracts and getting paid.
Complete Your Profile
Your profile info appears on contracts and invoices.
1
Add your business details
Go to Settings → Profile. Add your business name, address, and contact info. This appears on all your documents.
2
Upload your logo
Add a logo to brand your contracts and invoices. We recommend a square PNG or SVG for best results.
3
Set your portal slug
Choose a custom URL for your client portal (e.g.,
accordio.ai/portal/your-name). Keep it short and memorable.Connect Stripe
Required to receive payments from clients.
1
Start Stripe onboarding
Go to Payments and click "Set up payments". You'll be redirected to Stripe's secure onboarding.
2
Choose your account type
Select "Individual" if you're a sole proprietor, or "Business" if you have an LLC, corporation, or other entity.
3
Enter your details
Provide your legal name, address, date of birth, and the last 4 digits of your SSN (or full EIN for businesses).
4
Add your bank account
Enter your bank routing and account numbers for payouts. Stripe will send a small deposit to verify.
5
Verify your identity
Upload a photo of your government ID. This is a one-time verification required by Stripe.
You're ready!
Once Stripe is connected and your profile is complete, you can start creating contracts and receiving payments.
Guide: Contract to Payment
The complete workflow from creating a contract to getting paid.
Create and Send Contract
1
Create a new contract
Click New Contract from the dashboard. Use AI to generate content or start from a template.
2
Add milestones
Break the project into milestones with specific deliverables and payment amounts. This protects both you and your client.
3
Send to your client
Click Send, enter your client's email, and optionally add a personal message. They'll receive a link to review and sign.
Client Signs
1
Client receives email
Your client gets an email with a link to view the contract.
2
Client reviews and signs
They can read the full contract, ask the AI questions, and sign by drawing or typing their signature.
3
You get notified
You receive an email when the contract is signed. Both parties get a signed PDF.
Work and Get Paid
1
Client pays for milestone
When it's time to start, the client pays for the first milestone. Funds are held in escrow.
2
Complete and submit work
Finish the deliverables and click Submit for Approval on the milestone.
3
Client approves
Client reviews your work and approves the milestone.
4
Funds released
Payment is automatically released to your Stripe account. Standard payouts take 2-3 business days; Legend users can enable instant payouts.
Repeat for each milestone
Repeat the work → submit → approve → pay cycle for each milestone until the project is complete.
Guide: Quick Invoice
Send a standalone invoice for one-time work or services outside a contract.
Create and Send Invoice
1
Create new invoice
Go to Invoices and click New Invoice.
2
Select or add client
Choose an existing client or add a new one.
3
Add line items
Add each item with a description, quantity, and rate. The total calculates automatically.
4
Set due date
Choose when payment is due. Common options are upon receipt, Net 15, or Net 30.
5
Send invoice
Click Send. Your client receives an email with a "Pay Invoice" button.
Client Pays
1
Client clicks Pay
They're taken to a secure Stripe payment page.
2
Payment processes
Client pays with card or bank transfer.
3
You get paid
Funds go to your Stripe account. Invoice status updates to Paid.
Guide: Creating a Winning Proposal
Stand out from competitors with a professional proposal that closes deals.
Build Your Proposal
1
Understand the client need
Start by clearly stating the problem you're solving. Show you understand their challenges.
2
Present your solution
Explain your approach and why it's the right fit. Include relevant experience or case studies.
3
Detail the scope
Be specific about deliverables. Use bullet points for clarity. Include what's not included to prevent scope creep.
4
Add pricing options
Use the pricing table to present 2-3 package options. Give clients a clear choice.
5
Include a timeline
Use the timeline block to show project phases. This builds confidence in your process.
Send and Follow Up
1
Send the proposal
Click Send with a personalized message. Create urgency by mentioning limited availability.
2
Track engagement
See when the client views your proposal. Follow up if they haven't responded in a few days.
3
Convert to contract
When they accept, click Convert to Contract to move forward.
Pro tip
Offering multiple pricing options (Good, Better, Best) increases close rates. Most clients choose the middle option.
More Guides Coming
We're adding more guides regularly. Have a workflow you'd like documented? Email us at hi@accordio.ai.
Use your preferred LLM
to explore Accordio documentation
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