This month, three clients have gone quiet after not meeting their payment deadlines. I typically send out a reminder email and wait, but it hasn’t been effective.
I’m beginning to question if I’m being too laid-back about it. How do you maintain professionalism while ensuring you actually get paid?
I learned this the hard way after chasing payments for months.
Now I send three reminders spaced a week apart.
First one is friendly - “just checking if you received the invoice.”
Second mentions the overdue amount and asks about payment timeline.
Third one gets firm - I state the balance, mention any late fees, and give a final date.
After that, I hand it to a collection agency. Lost a few clients this way but honestly, they weren’t worth keeping if they don’t pay.
Also started requiring payment within 15 days instead of 30. People seem to take shorter deadlines more seriously.
Establish clear terms before starting work. Outline your payment schedule and include late fees if deadlines are missed. People respond better when they see direct consequences. I also ask for 50% upfront for new jobs. It protects you and shows clients you’re serious about payments.
Send a payment demand letter if your reminders do not work. Make it simple but look official.
I typically give them 7 days to respond or pay before charging interest on the overdue amount. Most people will reach out when they see something that appears more serious than just an email.
It also helps to mention reporting unpaid invoices to credit agencies if necessary.
Give them a call. Emails can get overlooked. A direct conversation might work better.
I just stop working until they pay up.