Overdue Payment Reminder Email: 6 Templates to Get Paid Faster

Payment reminder email templates and when to send them

Sending a friendly payment reminder letter or email can help you receive timely payment for outstanding invoices.

Copy and paste these payment reminder templates to send a polite reminder to customers with overdue or unpaid invoices.

READ MORE:How to write an invoice: look professional and get paid faster

Before payment is due 

Send an invoice reminder email two to three days before your invoice due date to prevent late payment.

If you’re following up on an invoice for a repeat service, like lawn care or cleaning, this is also an opportunity to recommend your customer set up recurring payments.

Use this template to remind your customers that their payment is almost due:

On the invoice due date 

Send a simple, professional invoice follow-up on your invoice due date in case your client forgot to make a payment earlier, or has a question about the invoice they’ve been meaning to ask. 

Keep your tone friendly, polite, and straightforward, and make sure to include important information like the amount due, the invoice number, and how to pay it.

One week late 

Now that the invoice is officially overdue, it’s time to switch up your tone and go for a more direct approach. 

Include important details from the invoice, like the invoice number and amount due, and attach a copy of the original invoice in case it was accidentally lost or deleted.

Two weeks late 

By now, you’ve likely reached out more than once to remind a client to pay the invoice without receiving a response, which can be frustrating. It’s still important to keep your messaging professional and to the point—even when dealing with difficult customers.

The purpose of this letter is to get the client to respond, either by reaching out to you to offer an explanation or by paying off the invoice.

One month late 

When a client is more than one month late, your payment letter becomes more of an accounts receivable collections letter. Keep your messaging professional and to the point.

The purpose of this letter is to get your customer to respond with payment or start a conversation around when you can expect to be paid for your services.

Final notice warning 

If your previous emails have gone unanswered, it’s time to send one final reminder to let your customer know you’ll be seeking further action if the invoice isn’t paid by a certain date.

What to include in your payment reminder message

Whether you chose to send one of the email samples above, or write your own payment reminder emails, your overdue payment letter should include:

• A copy of the unpaid invoice that includes an invoice number, amount owed, due date, date issued, and payment terms
• Contact information, such as your company phone number and email address
• Your preferred payment methods (like VISA, Mastercard, cash, or check) and instructions on how to pay
• Late fees or interest charges that may be applied to overdue invoices
• Polite sign-off, like thanks or warm regards

READ MORE: What to include on an invoice: must-haves to get paid

How to send a payment reminder email

If you’re planning on manually sending payment reminder emails to your clients, simply copy and paste one of the templates above into the body of your email, fill in the blanks, and hit send.

Or, try Jobber’s invoicing software to automatically send overdue payment reminders to your clients and get paid faster.

Here’s what that process looks like:

1. Track the status of your invoices at a glance to see which ones have been sent, which have been paid, and which invoices are overdue.

Best practices for sending overdue payments reminders

Sending overdue payment reminders is an important part of managing your accounts receivable.

Follow these best practices to improve cash flow and preserve your customer relationship:

1. Make sure your client received the invoice

Before sending a payment reminder email to your clients, double check they received the initial invoice, and that it didn’t bounce back or go to the wrong or incorrectly spelled email address.

2. Provide payment options

Make it easy for your client to settle their debt by providing various payment methods, like convenient credit card processing and clear instructions for making a payment.

3. Be polite

Overdue payments can be frustrating, but keeping a polite and professional tone goes a long way to preserve your business’s reputation and maintain a positive relationship with your clients.

4. Use the right communication channels

Different clients prefer different methods of communication. If your clients typically request work via email, sending reminder emails is the best way to go. If they strictly call in for work requests a phone call or text message may be a more effective option.

5. Offer assistance

Let your clients know you’re here to help with any payment problems or invoice concerns they might have. This shows that you genuinely care about their situation and your customers will appreciate the support.