Small Biz Prompts

Write an overdue invoice reminder sequence

Get a four-step sequence of payment reminders that starts friendly and gets firmer, so you can chase late invoices without damaging the relationship.

invoicescollectionsaccounts receivable

The prompt

Write a sequence of four emails to collect an overdue invoice.

My business: [BUSINESS NAME], a [TYPE OF BUSINESS]
Client: [CLIENT NAME], relationship: [new / long-term / one-off]
Invoice: #[NUMBER] for [AMOUNT], due [DUE DATE], for [WHAT WAS DELIVERED]
Payment options: [e.g. card link, ACH, check]
My payment terms: [e.g. late fee of 1.5% per month after 30 days, if any]

Sequence:
1. 3 days overdue: friendly, assumes it was missed, includes the payment link.
2. 14 days overdue: direct, asks for a payment date.
3. 30 days overdue: firm, mentions the late fee or pausing work (only what my terms allow).
4. 45 days overdue: final notice, states the next step [e.g. collections agency / small claims] calmly and factually.

Keep each email under 120 words, with a clear subject line, no guilt-tripping and no threats I have not listed.

Replace every [BRACKETED] part with your own details before sending.

How to use it

Save the four emails as templates in your email or invoicing tool. Only mention late fees or next steps that are actually in your contract or invoice terms.

Example

Subject: Quick reminder: invoice #1042
Hi Dana, a quick note that invoice #1042 for $1,850 (October bookkeeping) was due on the 3rd. It may have slipped through, so here is the payment link: [link]. Thanks!

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