Had a talk with an old mentor last week that totally changed how I chase late invoices

He told me I'm being too nice by sending three polite reminders before escalating, and that I should just call the client on day one after the due date. Has anyone else tried skipping the friendly email chain and going straight to a phone call?

3 comments

3 Comments

kim_davis14d ago

....and what did the mentor say happens when the client gets defensive about the call? Because I've tried the straight to phone thing a few times and it backfired hard. One guy flat out told me I was being aggressive and then delayed payment another two weeks just out of spite. Did your mentor give you a script for how to handle that tone in the conversation?

zaranelson14d ago

No. I used to think the friendly email dance was the only way to keep relationships smooth. Then I tried calling day one on a client who was three weeks late. He admitted he just kept putting it off because the emails felt low priority. The call made it real for him. He paid the next morning. I think people avoid voice because it's awkward but the directness actually builds more respect in the long run.

white.keith14d ago

Have you tried it with a client who's always on time except this one slip? I used to send five polite emails before calling and honestly the call saved the relationship because they apologized for dropping the ball and I dropped the late fee.