Unpopular opinion: following up on invoices is 90% of getting paid on time

Been doing freelance graphic design on the side for about 3 years now. Used to think sending a clean invoice was the hard part. Turns out the real skill is sending the "hey just checking in" email at the right time. I had a client last month sit on a $750 invoice for 18 days. I sent a polite nudge on day 14, nothing. Sent another on day 18, paid within 4 hours. Anyone else notice this pattern or is it just my clients?

3 comments

3 Comments

danielowens6d ago

Is it just a timing thing though? @the_sage I think you're right about some clients needing that extra push because their inbox is just a black hole. I've got one guy who pays instantly if I nudge him on a Tuesday morning but ignores everything on Friday. Feels like after day 10 the invoice gets buried under new emails and the second reminder acts like a "oh yeah, that one" trigger.

the_sage6d ago

Ngl I've definitely sent a second follow up and immediately felt like I was being annoying only to get paid in like 20 minutes. Maybe it's just me but I think some clients need the extra reminder to actually open their wallet.

jesse_smith106d ago

Figure the 20 minute payment is a sign @the_sage and most clients just need a polite tap on the shoulder.