Oh man, this is a familiar headache. Here’s what I do:
Wait about 5 business days
Send a quick, friendly email
My follow-up usually goes like:
'Hey [Client Name],
Hope this finds you well. Just wanted to make sure you received the invoice I sent on [date]. No rush on payment, just confirming it didn’t get lost in the shuffle.
Let me know if you need anything else from me!’
I’ve found most clients appreciate the reminder. We’re all drowning in emails these days.
If that doesn’t work, I might:
Try a different contact at the company
Give them a quick call
Send a text if we have that kind of relationship
Don’t stress too much. Late invoice responses are super common in freelancing. Just stay on top of it without being pushy.
I started using an invoice system that sends automatic read receipts. It’s a game-changer. Now I know exactly when clients open the invoice.
If I don’t get a read receipt after a week, I send a friendly follow-up. Something like, ‘Hey, just checking if you got my invoice from last week. Let me know if you need anything else.’
Another trick: I put a line in my invoices asking clients to confirm receipt. Most actually do it.
For really important stuff, I might use certified mail. It’s old school, but it works.
Remember, it’s your money. Don’t feel bad about following up. Most clients appreciate the reminder - we’re all busy and things slip through the cracks sometimes.