The Late Payment Templates (14 payment reminder emails, text & phone script)

The fourteen emails, text and phone script from the Late Payment Kit, without the guide or the tracker. For when you already know the drill and only need the words.

Here is one in full, template 05, for day +14:

Subject: Payment date for invoice [#1042]?

Hi [First name],

I've written a few times about invoice [#1042] ([£1,250], due [14 March]) and haven't had a reply yet.

Could you reply with the date it will be paid? A date is all I need for now, so I can plan on my side.

Thank you,

[Your name]

Exactly what you get

• 11 emails: the heads-up before the due date, due today, "did this slip through?", 7 days overdue, ask for a date, write to accounts, late fees as per your terms, a payment plan, pausing the work, the final notice, the thank-you.
• 1 text message for day +7.
• 1 phone script for day +14, with what to say if they raise a problem with the work.
• 1 paragraph of payment terms to put on every invoice.
• A one-page index: which template, on which day.

Two files in a ZIP: a 10-page PDF (one template per card, subject lines included) and a plain-text file to copy from. Fill in the [brackets].

Who it is not for

• You want the reasoning, the UK, EU and US late-fee rules and a tracker that dates every reminder. That is the full Late Payment Kit, $19.
• You need a solicitor's letter. This is not one.

"I can write these myself."

You can. The hard part is the tone on day 21, firm enough to get paid and polite enough to get the next project. That is done here, fourteen times.

"Will they annoy my client?"

Each one assumes the client is disorganised, not dishonest, and leaves an easy way to say yes. Templates 07 and 10 mention late fees and next steps. That part is general information, not legal advice.

Copy, paste, send. Then wait three days.