Late payments have become a real headache for me. It’s like my clients treat my invoices like mere suggestions.
I’ve decided to take a more proactive approach, sending out automated reminders and following up with calls. It’s definitely changing the game for me.
Those automated reminders are a game changer. I set mine for 3 days overdue, then 7, then 14.
What really helped - I add a personal note at the bottom of each invoice. Something like “Thanks for choosing us for your project, payment keeps our small team running.” Sounds cheesy but it works way better than generic invoice language.
I also learned to send invoices on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Friday invoices sit in email until Monday, then get buried. Monday invoices compete with weekend emails. Timing matters more than I thought.
One trick that saved me headaches - I started putting payment due dates in bold and a different color. Amazing how many “I didn’t see the due date” excuses disappeared after that.
I always ask for payment before I start work.
Stop waiting for clients to pay. I got burned too many times before figuring this out. Now it’s 50% upfront before I start anything. The rest when I finish. No exceptions. If they won’t pay half upfront, they’re not serious clients. I also switched to net 10 days instead of 30. Way easier to chase payments before they spiral out of control.
I just get half upfront now. Makes things way simpler when people drag their feet.
Been dealing with this exact problem for years. Here’s what actually works:
Payment terms upfront
Invoice timing
Some clients will always push boundaries. You’ve got to train them early that you’re serious about getting paid on time.
I also started asking for partial payment upfront on bigger projects. Cuts down on stress when you know at least half’s already in your account.