I think a lot of freelance professionals are using an online billing system these day, at least I hope none of you are using pen, paper and snail mail!
I’ve been using FreshBooks for a while and recently decided to take a look at the iPhone apps available to interact with the FreshBooks service and give them a review.
OK so there’s only one, MiniBooks!
MiniBooks (itunes store url) is available as a free ‘lite’ download but will limit you to only 3 clients, upgrading to the full version (itunes store url) which currently costs $14.99 will give you unlimited clients.
Setup
Ok so you have to have a FreshBooks account Duh! Then after downloading the app you are presented with a setup screen, If you read carefully not like me you just have to enter the subdomain name of your FreshBooks account without the freshbooks.com otherwise you will get an error to say ‘bad connection’ or ‘problem with the settings’.
Now this really amazed me and a bit of a negative but you must input an API token from FreshBooks MANUALLY! Go to your ‘My Account’ settings on the web service and you get a reaaaallly long string that you have to type in to the iPhone app so type very carefully!
OK I’m stupid! Thanks to Rayanne the Queen of FreshBooks to point out such a glaring fubar on my behalf!
No sir, with the 3.0 iPhone update, you can copy and paste your API Token into FreshBooks’ app or MiniBooks!
But that’s it, once you input and it’s accepted then you will be taken to an Overview screen of your clients and everything will sync from the web to your phone!
For the rest a quick screencast
ps I’m having real problems with video uploads of late and the flash conversion of this video failed after uploads to several video host but hopefully you can still watch via this ‘legacy’ embedded player…please excuse the quality because of this legacy player 
Have you used MiniBooks to Invoice clients on the go?
Oh and shouldn’t forget the way the cool folks over at FreshBooks are going to give away one ShuttleBus subscription worth 218$ to one lucky commenter!
Leave a funny or desperate comment in the comments below to be in with a chance! And please feel free to retweet this post!
Winner will be chosen by me on the 1st September 2009.
OK D-day is here and I’ve decided to award this prize (btw it was the FreshBooks sub not a copy of the iPhone app) to Tricia @triciarobey to give here a head start in her Freelancing career! Good Luck Tricia!
Also come one guys ‘funny or desperate’ put some imagination into your comments please!
FreshBooks & MiniBooks both look really awesome. I've just set out into the freelance world after a long run as a corporate cog with Disney. Trying to get all the little bits of work & life sorted out as an independent designer is one hell of a task.
Here's hoping invoicing and such is something I can use FreshBooks for.
…anxiously waiting for the 1st of Sept!
I don't own an IPhone yet, still waiting for mine to arrive….
I'm terrible at waiting. The phone i have no doesn't even support smilies… Oh well, i retweeted it so maybe i can make someone else happy. Good luck!
P L E A S E ? ? ? ? ?
(Desparate enough ?)
Gimme this! Freshbook FTW!
Hello,
I am just getting my freelance business off the ground and would like the ablitiy to bill my customers without having to hand write invoices. I have ten clients and would greatly appreciate being able to enter all their informatoin and use the system to keep up with their information.
Thanks
ogh mememmeme please? I dont really have an invoicing system and its starting to get the best of me. Much like you and your invoices sitting on your desk that you always forget
PICK ME!
</shamelss rant>
Oh man, I'm a Queen AND way cool?! My mom is going to be SO proud : )
You're the best, Roger! Thanks for this awesome review. Looking forward to what folks have to say about wanting to use FreshBooks for their businesses!
Oh, and MiniBooks is currently $14.99 in the App Store, BTW.
Rayanne Langdon — Queen of Hearts, FreshBooks.com
Thanks Rayanne updated the price in the post!
I've been a user of Freshbooks for 3 years now so I deserve to win this
I'd like to win this
Very nice for any freelancer to have.
Yea I totally need an account! Recently got laid off, I'm frigging deleting “clients” to make room for new ones… It's a recipe for DISASTER I say! Thx 4 the opportunity! -@TiltedCircle.
I always have trouble with invoicing,
Sending e-mails and PDFs can sting,
For MiniBooks & Shuttle Bus I yearn,
From the wonderful Roger Byrne,
So I can become an invoice king!
I have ordered my 32GB Iphone 3G s … now I really need this app to access Freshbooks – so I can associate the charge to a client's account!
I'm a recent PR/Marketing graduate that because of the state of the job market has begun to navigate the freelance world. I NEED HELP! Freshbooks and Minibooks are just the kind of thing I need to get organized and appear professional. Did I mention I have limited resources because well, lets face it. Freelancing isn't like having a regular paycheck. Someone give me a break! Thanks and good luck to everyone.
Minimize me!! lol
I need it. I need it badly.
Great, pls let me WIN =)
I'm totally game for this. My business is starting up mighty soon and I'll need some invoicing software for my clients. Gotta keep me fresh!
Congrats Tricia please email me on rogermbyrne at gmail dot com so I can get you hooked up with the FreshBooks guys!
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