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How to politely ask for payment the first time
Most late payers aren't dodging you. The invoice got buried, or they meant to pay after the weekend. The first ask treats it that way: friendly, short, and with a link or a way to pay right there.
Send it a day or two after the due date, by the same channel you sent the invoice. Name the job so they don't have to look it up.
Hi [name], hope the new [job] is working well. A quick note that the invoice for it, [amount], was due on [date]. Here's the link to pay: [link]. Thanks, [your name]
One job, one amount, one link.
How to ask a client for payment by text
A text gets read. Keep it to two lines and send it in business hours, from the number they know.
Hi [name], it's [your name] at [shop]. Just a reminder the bill for the [job] is due. Here's the link to pay: [link]. Thanks!
A friendly payment reminder you can copy
If the first ask goes quiet, the second one stays warm but gets specific. Give a day.
Hi [name], following up on the invoice for the [job], [amount], now a week past due. Could you take care of it by [day]? The link is here: [link]. Let me know if anything's wrong with it.
When to get firmer
After two friendly notes, pick up the phone. A call clears up a lot: a lost invoice, a question about the work, a customer who needs to split it into two payments.
If the call doesn't settle it, put the next step in writing, calmly. Say what you'll do and when, and only say it if you'll do it.
- Two to three weeks late. Call, ask if anything's wrong, offer to resend.
- A month late. A firmer email with a date and the next step.
- Past that. A final notice, then whatever your terms say, like a late fee or small claims.
