Email templates / Payment reminder

How to ask for payment politely

Chasing money feels awkward, so people delay and the invoice gets older. A clear, friendly reminder with the details in it gets paid faster than a vague one.

Copy-ready templates

Replace the [brackets] with your details. Change the tone to fit your relationship with the reader.

Gentle first reminder

Hi [Name], a quick reminder that invoice [#] for [amount] was due on [date]. I have attached it again for convenience. Could you let me know when I can expect payment?

A week later

Hi [Name], invoice [#] for [amount] is now [X] days overdue. Please could you arrange payment by [date]? If something is holding it up, tell me and we will sort it out together.

Final reminder

Hi [Name], this is a final reminder that invoice [#] for [amount] remains unpaid. Please pay by [date] to avoid [late fee / pausing the service]. If you have already paid, thank you, and please send the reference so I can match it.

Tips

Put the invoice number, amount and due date in the first line.
Attach the invoice every time. People rarely search for the old one.
Ask for a date, not for "as soon as possible".

Or rewrite your own draft in one keystroke

Typing a quick draft and fixing the tone is faster than starting from a template. This is a real rewrite from NudgeWrite, using the Professional tone:

Rough draft

invoice 482 is overdue, pay today pls

After NudgeWrite (Professional)

Invoice #482 is past due. Please arrange payment today.

Select your draft in Gmail, Outlook, Zendesk or any text box, press Cmd+E (Ctrl+E on Windows), pick a tone and click Replace. 50 free rewrites, no card.

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