Spent hours crafting ‘polite’ payment reminders, but clients still ignore them. It’s frustrating when you’ve done the work and they act like the invoice doesn’t exist.
Anyone else deal with this? I’m considering a more direct approach, but worried about damaging relationships. How do you strike that balance between firmness and professionalism?
I’ve found a simple system that works well. Send a friendly reminder email first. If that doesn’t work, follow up with a phone call.
During the call, I keep it casual but direct. ‘Just checking in about that invoice. Any issues?’ Usually gets things moving.
For repeat offenders, I’ve started requiring partial payment upfront. Saves a lot of hassle in the long run.
Forget the polite stuff. It’s wasting your time. Here’s what works:
Send one reminder email when the invoice is due. Wait a week. If no payment, pick up the phone.
On the call, keep it simple: ‘Just checking on that invoice. When can I expect payment?’ Don’t dance around it.
For problem clients, I started asking for half upfront. Cuts down on late payers real quick.
Remember, you did the work. Don’t feel bad about wanting to get paid. If they keep dodging, maybe it’s time to find better clients.
Forget the fancy stuff. Just send a text. Say something like ‘Hey, invoice due. Can you pay?’ It’s quick and gets the point across. Works for me most of the time.
I don’t bother with fancy reminders. Just call them up.
Been there, done that with the polite reminders. They’re hit or miss.
Here’s what works for me:
I found that a mix of automated and personal touch works best. The system sends out reminders, but I jump in if those don’t work.
For the stubborn ones, I’ve started adding a late fee. It’s amazing how quickly they pay when money’s on the line.
Remember, it’s your work and your time. Don’t feel bad about asking for what you’re owed. If a client consistently ignores invoices, maybe they’re not worth keeping around.
I’ve been in your shoes. Polite reminders worked for most clients, but there were always a few who needed more nudging.
My approach now is a three-step process:
The call isn’t confrontational. I usually say something like, ‘Hey, just checking if you received my invoice. Let me know if you need any clarification.’
This personal touch often does the trick. If they still don’t pay, I mention that I’ll have to pause work until payment comes through.
It’s not about being rude, just clear and professional. Most clients appreciate the direct communication.