How to automate payment reminders without annoying customers
Useful whether or not you ever hire anyone. Including when automation isn't the answer.
The problem
Invoices go unpaid, and chasing them feels awkward, so reminders go out late or not at all. Meanwhile, keeping track of who owes what takes time of its own.
Why it happens
Chasing money isn't anyone's favourite job, so it slides down the list. And without a clear record of due dates, it's hard to know who to chase and when.
Your options
Free, but still relies on you writing each reminder.
A good option if your software has it. Worth checking first.
Polite reminders go out on a schedule you choose, and stop as soon as an invoice is marked paid.
When automation makes sense
- ✓You send invoices regularly
- ✓Late payments are a recurring headache
- ✓You track invoices in a spreadsheet or list
When it probably doesn't
- ✓Your accounting software already does this and you just haven't switched it on
- ✓You only have a few, very large clients you'd always rather call
A practical example
The sample on this site cleans a messy invoice log and builds a chase list that updates itself as invoices are marked paid.
See it →How Betechnical could help
If automation makes sense for you, this is exactly the kind of job I build, at a fixed price with a ceiling it can never go above. More about invoices and payment reminders →
Common questions
Will automatic reminders put customers off?
Not if they're polite, well spaced and written in your tone. Many people simply forget, and a gentle reminder helps.
When should I phone instead?
If a reminder or two hasn't worked, a personal call usually does more. A good automation flags those people for you.
Not sure if yours can be automated?
Describe it to Bea, and you'll get an honest answer and a ballpark price in about a minute. If it isn't worth automating, I'll say so.