How to Get Paid in Blinko: Invoices, Payment Requests, Deposits & Contributions

Getting paid is the part of running a business nobody trains you for. You finish the work, then you're chasing — a reminder text, a "did it go through?", an invoice you've already sent twice. Blinko's payment automations take the chase out of it: set up how you want to collect once, and the money comes to you — into your own Stripe or Square account, with 0% platform fee from Blinko. By the end of this guide you'll know every way to collect a payment in Blinko and exactly how to set each one up.

Before you start: payment automations deposit into your own payment account, so connect Stripe or Square once first — it takes about two minutes.

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What are payment automations?

A payment automation is a ready-made way to collect money that you set up once and reuse. Depending on the situation, the payment can live on your spot (the page customers reach when they scan your Blinko QR), go out in a direct message to one customer, or appear as a QR code you show across the counter. However it's collected, the money settles into your own Stripe or Square account — Blinko never takes a cut. (Your payment processor's standard rate still applies, the same as anywhere else; Blinko just never adds to it.)

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When to use it

• A deposit or payment before a job starts — you've agreed a price and want it secured up front.
• A bill after the work's done or the product's delivered — send it and get paid.
• A customer standing in front of you — pay on the spot, no card reader.
• Pre-paid reservations — let customers hold a product or a slot ahead of time.
• Community contributions — any amount, from your whole community, for an event or a cause.

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What you'll get

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How to collect a payment — three ways

Pick the one that fits the moment. The first two live in the Engage tab of the Blinko Business app (or Automations at local.blinko.ai); the in-person QR has its own shortcut on the Business tab.

1. On your spot — deposits, contributions, anytime payments ("Always on")

Best for reservation deposits, tips, and contributions — anywhere anyone should be able to pay.

Step 1 — Open the catalog. Go to Engage → Automations and tap Browse all automations. (Web: open Automations in the left nav.)

Step 2 — Pick a payment automation. Choose the Pay button — open-amount for contributions and tips, or a fixed amount for a set deposit.

Step 3 — Set your amount(s). Add preset chips like $10 / $25 / $50, or allow customers to enter any amount. Name the button clearly — "Reserve your spot," "Give to the building fund."

Step 4 — Activate. Tap Activate; you'll see "Automation set up successfully!" It's now on your spot for anyone who scans your QR — and you can Broadcast to Customers to send it to everyone at once.

2. To one customer in a message — invoices and bills ("You send")

Best for billing a specific customer a specific amount, before or after a job.

Step 1 — Open the customer's conversation from your inbox.

Step 2 — Attach the payment. Tap the attachment button and choose "Send Automation."

Step 3 — Choose Request a Payment or Create Invoice. Request a Payment sends a quick pay link; Create Invoice sends an itemized bill — and you can dictate the invoice by voice instead of typing it. Enter the amount and details, then send.

Step 4 — They pay in the thread. The completed payment and the receipt appear right in the conversation, and Blinko logs it under that automation's analytics.

3. In person, across the counter — the Request Payment QR (Business tab)

Best for getting paid face-to-face for a specific amount — no card reader needed.

Step 1 — Open Request Payment. Go to the Business tab and tap Request Payment ("Charge a customer by QR").

Step 2 — Enter the amount and generate the code. Type the amount and tap Generate QR →.

Step 3 — Show it to your customer. Blinko displays the code with "Show this to your customer." They scan and pay on their own phone; you'll see "Waiting for scan…" until it completes — then it lands in your account with a receipt.

Or just describe it — the AI Copilot shortcut

Not sure which to set up? In Automations, tap Describe a goal and say it plainly:

"Collect a $50 deposit for bookings." "Let people contribute any amount to our fundraiser."

Blinko's Copilot drafts the right automation for you to review. Adjust anything, then tap Activate — you're always the one who approves it.

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Tips for better results

Use preset amounts as quick chips. Customers pay faster tapping $25 than typing it — but keep "enter any amount" on for flexibility.

Leave it open for tips and giving. For contributions and gratuities, an open amount almost always raises more than a fixed ask.

Let the loop close itself. When you send an invoice, you don't confirm payment manually — Blinko reconciles it and sends the receipt and thank-you for you.

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Frequently asked questions

Does Blinko take a cut of my payments? No. Blinko's platform fee is 0% on every payment and contribution, however many you collect. Your Stripe or Square account still charges its own standard processing rate, exactly as it would without Blinko — Blinko never adds to it.

Where does the money go? Straight into your own connected Stripe or Square balance, then to your bank on your provider's normal payout schedule. Blinko never holds your funds.

Do I need a card reader to get paid in person? No. Use Request Payment on the Business tab to show a QR code; your customer scans it and pays on their own phone.

How many payment automations can I run at once? Free keeps one automation active at a time, Indie three, Business unlimited — you'll see the active count as you go. Pause one anytime to free a slot.

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Start free → · See how Blinko payments work →