A payment reminder that's easy to answer with money

Most late invoices are forgotten, not disputed, so a reminder works best when it's short and paying takes one tap. This page shows the invoice, the amount and how many days it's overdue, with the wording set to friendly or firm. Write it now and schedule it for the day you want it to go out.

When to use it

• The due date has just passed and you want a light nudge with no awkward phone call.
• Payment is due in a couple of days on a large invoice and you'd like it front of mind.
• Two weeks on and a friendly note got no response, so it's time for the firm version.
• The customer has lost the original invoice and you need to put it back in front of them.

What a good one includes

• The invoice number and what it was for. 'Grease trap and drain line' jogs a memory that INV-0041 won't.
• The exact amount, big enough to read at a glance.
• The original due date and days overdue, stated as fact and without blame.
• A way out for honest overlaps: 'if you've already paid, thank you, and please ignore this'.
• A link to the original invoice, for anyone who wants to check it first.

Make one by saying what you need

Text it, type it or say it, the way you'd tell a colleague:

Remind Tom at Fernhill Pets that INV-0207 for $380 was due last Friday. Keep it friendly and link the invoice.

Questions

When should I send the first reminder?

Many businesses send a courtesy note a few days before the due date and a first reminder a day or two after. What matters is being consistent, because customers learn how closely you watch your invoices.

Can I threaten collections in a reminder?

Be careful. Debt collection rules in many places limit what you can say and when, especially to consumers, so state facts and check local rules before mentioning legal action.

Can this go out automatically?

You can schedule a reminder for a set day. Follow-ups on an unpaid invoice can also go out on days you choose, and they stop once it's paid.