You’ve done your work, sent a professional invoice… and then it’s quiet. No payment. No reply. What now? Sending a payment reminder can feel awkward, but it’s a normal part of doing business.

Don’t wait too long

If your invoice says payment is due in 14 or 30 days, you can take action as soon as that term ends. Many freelancers wait too long out of politeness—but the longer you wait, the less likely you’ll get paid.

Send your first reminder kindly

Your first reminder doesn’t need to be formal. A short, polite email often works. For example:

Dear [name],
According to our records, the following invoice is still open:
Invoice number: 2025-002
Due date: April 12, 2025

Could you please check the payment status? If it’s already been paid, please ignore this message. Thanks in advance!

Manual reminders with one click

Using InvoiceTimer? You’ll instantly see which invoices are unpaid and can generate a reminder with one click. That way, you never forget to follow up, and you keep control of your cash flow.

If it becomes necessary…

After the first reminder, you can send a second after 7 days—this one can be more formal. After that, you can choose to send a final notice or hand it to a debt collector. But with clear communication, that’s rarely needed.

Keep it polite and professional

Sending a reminder isn’t rude—it’s a business step to keep your own books in order. Clients who respect your work will understand. Stay polite, clear, and professional.

Forgetful with reminders? Use InvoiceTimer to track open invoices and send professional manual reminders with ease.