Lately, I’ve been struggling with finding the right balance when it comes to payment reminders. I want to be professional, but also don’t want to come across as pushy or desperate.
Anyone else deal with this? How do you approach payment reminders in a way that’s effective but not off-putting?
I just put it on the invoice when I’m done. If they don’t pay, I’ll call after a couple weeks. Most folks pay up without much fuss.
I’ve been there. Payment reminders are tricky.
Here’s what works for me:
I find a casual but direct approach works best. Something like ‘Hey, just a heads up your invoice is due soon.’ No frills, just facts.
For late payments, I give it a week then follow up. I usually say something like ‘Noticed the payment’s a bit late. Any issues I can help with?’
The key is to sound helpful, not accusatory. Most of the time, clients just forgot or had a hiccup.
If it goes beyond two weeks, that’s when I get more serious. But that’s rare if you stay on top of it from the start.
I send a friendly reminder a few days before the due date. Most clients appreciate it.
For late payments, I follow up after a week with a quick email or text. Something like ‘Just checking on that invoice.’
If it goes beyond two weeks, I’ll make a call. Usually, there’s a simple explanation.
The key is being consistent and matter-of-fact. No need to over-explain or apologize. You did the work, you deserve to get paid.
Look, here’s how I handle it:
Set clear payment terms in your contract. No confusion that way.
Send a reminder 3 days before due date. Just a quick ‘Invoice due Friday’ text.
If they’re late, wait 3 days then send a short email. ‘Payment’s overdue. Any issues?’
After a week, make a call. Sometimes stuff slips through the cracks.
Don’t waste time on long emails or explanations. Keep it simple and direct.
Most clients pay up once you remind them. For the ones who don’t, have a system in place to deal with it. Maybe late fees or stopping work until paid.
Remember, you did the work. You deserve to get paid on time.
I totally get this struggle. It’s a fine line to walk.
What’s worked for me is sending friendly reminders a week before the due date. Just a quick ‘Hey, your invoice is coming up next week.’ Most clients appreciate the heads-up.
For overdue payments, I have a 3-step system:
A polite email after 3 days: ‘Just checking if you got the invoice okay.’
A phone call after a week: ‘Wanted to make sure there weren’t any issues.’
A firmer email after 2 weeks: ‘Payment is now X days late.’
I always keep it professional, no guilt trips. Sometimes there’s a legit reason for the delay.
The key is consistency. Clients learn your process and usually fall in line. It’s helped me avoid those awkward conversations and keep cash flow smooth.
I don’t do much about reminders. My clients pay me when they can. People are usually good about it.