I’ve been wondering about the best way to nudge clients before an invoice is due. Don’t want to come off as pushy, but also need to make sure I get paid on time. How do you all handle this balance? Curious about different approaches that have worked well for others.
I just call em up day before. Works fine for me.
I just slap a due date on the invoice and leave it at that. If they don’t pay, I’ll give 'em a call. Not worth stressing over too much.
Here’s what I do:
Put a clear due date on the invoice. No need to get fancy.
Send one reminder email 3 days before it’s due. Keep it short: ‘Invoice #123 is due Friday. Let me know if you need anything.’
If they’re late, I call them up. Most folks just forgot and pay right away.
For problem clients, I start asking for half upfront. Weeds out the ones who can’t pay.
Don’t overthink it. Be direct, keep good records, and don’t be afraid to follow up. You did the work, you deserve to get paid on time.
I’ve tried a few different approaches over the years. Here’s what’s worked best for me:
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Automatic reminders
I set up my invoicing software to send out reminders 3 days before the due date. Keeps things professional and consistent. -
Clear payment terms
I make sure my payment terms are super clear on every invoice. Due dates, late fees, all that jazz. -
Follow-up email
If I don’t hear back after the auto-reminder, I’ll send a quick, friendly email. Just a ‘Hey, just checking in’ kind of thing. -
Phone call as last resort
If it’s getting close to the wire, I’ll give them a ring. Usually clears things up fast.
The key is to start gentle and ramp up if needed. Most clients appreciate a heads-up, as long as you’re not badgering them.
I’ve been doing this for a while now, and here’s what works for me:
I put a note on my invoices saying ‘Friendly reminder: Payment due in 7 days.’ It’s simple but effective.
For new clients, I send a quick email 5 days before the due date. Something like ‘Hey, just a heads up about the invoice coming due soon.’
With regular clients, I don’t usually need to remind them. They know the drill.
If someone’s consistently late, I might change their terms or ask for a deposit upfront.
The key is to keep it casual and friendly. Most people just need a little nudge.
And yeah, I’ve had to learn to be more direct over time. It’s your money, after all.
I send a quick email reminder a week before the due date. Keep it short and friendly.
If no response, I follow up with a text message 2-3 days before. Most clients appreciate the heads-up and pay on time.
For repeat late payers, I start requiring deposits or shorter payment terms. No need to chase people down constantly.