Had a client miss their payment deadline last week. Sent a gentle reminder, but no response yet. Wondering how others handle this without coming off as pushy or damaging the relationship.
It’s a tricky balance between getting paid on time and maintaining goodwill. What’s worked for you?
I use a mix of gentle reminders and firm boundaries.
First, a friendly email after a few days. If no response, I follow up with a call.
For repeat late payers, I’ve started asking for deposits or offering early payment discounts. It motivates them to pay on time.
If it drags on too long, I pause work until payment comes through. It’s not personal, just business.
Late payments are a real headache. I’ve tried a few things that seem to work:
If they still don’t pay, I’ll usually shoot them a quick text or give them a ring. Sometimes invoices just slip through the cracks.
For clients who are always late, I’ve started asking for a deposit or offering a small discount for early payment. It’s amazing how a little incentive can speed things up.
The key is to stay professional but firm. Most clients aren’t trying to rip you off - they’re just disorganized or forgetful. A gentle nudge usually does the trick without burning bridges.
Late payments happen. No need to stress about it. I send a reminder email after a week. If no response, I make a quick call. Most clients just forgot or got busy.
For repeat offenders, I start asking for deposits upfront. Or I offer a small discount for paying early. That usually fixes the problem.
Main thing is to keep it simple and professional. Don’t let it drag on too long though. If they’re more than a month late, I pause work until they pay up. Can’t run a business on IOUs.
Late payments are a pain. I usually wait a week, then send a quick email. If that doesn’t work, I might call. Nothing fancy, just trying to get paid without being a jerk about it.
I just call 'em up and ask what’s going on. Works most times.
I’ve been there, and it’s definitely a balancing act. Here’s what’s worked for me:
First, I always send a friendly email reminder a few days before the due date. Most clients appreciate this heads-up.
If they miss the deadline, I wait about 5 business days before following up. I keep it light - something like ‘Hey, just checking if you got my invoice. Let me know if you need anything from me.’
After two weeks, I’ll usually give them a call. Often there’s a simple explanation - the invoice got lost in their inbox, or accounts payable is backed up.
For repeat offenders, I’ve started requiring a deposit upfront or offering a small discount for early payment. It’s helped a lot.
Remember, most clients aren’t trying to stiff you. They’re just busy. A little patience goes a long way in keeping the relationship solid while still getting paid.