Politely remind someone to pay an invoice by sending a brief, friendly, and direct email that assumes the oversight was accidental. Use a clear subject line (e.g., "Friendly Reminder: Invoice #[Number]"), include the amount and due date, attach the invoice again, and offer assistance. For example: "Hi [Name], I hope you're well. Just a quick reminder that invoice #[Number] for $[Amount] was due on [Date]. I've attached a copy for your convenience."
There are a few things you'll want to include in your payment reminder email that will help get your invoice paid faster.
Write something like: “Payment for Invoice # [Number].” Providing the invoice number in the subject line makes it clear what payment is overdue. A copy of the invoice: Save your customer the time finding your initial email by attaching a copy of your original invoice.
Be direct and polite
Avoid vague or overly formal language when sending a gentle reminder. Instead, get straight to the point in a courteous manner. For example, saying, “We noticed Invoice #3568 is overdue. Kindly arrange payment at your earliest convenience,” communicates urgency without sounding confrontational.
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of remind are recall, recollect, remember, and reminisce. While all these words mean "to bring an image or idea from the past into the mind," remind suggests a jogging of one's memory by an association or similarity. When might recall be a better fit than remind?
I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to politely remind you about Invoice [Invoice Number], which is currently [Number of Days] days overdue. The original invoice was sent on [Date] and the due date was [Due Date]. The total outstanding amount is [Amount Due].
Be courteous and professional: Always start your communications with a polite greeting and an expression of gratitude for the business relationship. Clearly explain the situation: Specify the details of the unpaid invoice, including the past due date, and politely request an update on the payment status.
In-Summary: How to Ask for Payment Politely and Professionally
How to ask someone to pay you for work
Hi [client name]. This is a friendly reminder for payment on invoice [invoice number], due today, [due date]. Please submit payment by the close of business today to avoid any late fees. You'll find the original invoice attached to this email.
How to politely chase an invoice
Hi [Name], I hope you're doing well! This is a friendly reminder that invoice [number], totaling [amount due], is due for payment on [Date]—one week from today. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the invoice or payment details.
For overdue payments, Invoice Simple gives you the ability to email reminders to your clients. You can send as many reminders as you deem necessary. Here's how to send reminders. If an invoice is overdue, you will see a Send Reminder button on the edit screen.
I wanted to kindly remind you that Invoice #[Invoice Number] for [Amount Due] is due on [Due Date]. If you have any questions about the invoice or need assistance, don't hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your attention to this matter, and we appreciate your prompt payment.
What is the correct time to issue an invoice? Put simply, you should issue the invoice as soon as the service is completed or the product is delivered. The sooner you issue the invoice, the more likely it will be on the customer's mind, and the quicker they'll pay the amount due.
These can help more customers pay on time. Hi [Name]. A friendly reminder that your payment of [Amount] for [Service] is due on [Date]. Please pay on or before that date to avoid any late fees.
Payment Reminder on Due Date
I hope you're doing well! I am reaching out on behalf of [Creditor/Original Lender Name] to remind you that your payment of [Amount Due] is due today, [Due Date]. Please pay as soon as possible to avoid late fees or potential service interruptions.
Phrases like "just checking in" or "a quick reminder" soften the message. For example, instead of saying "You missed the deadline," say "I wanted to kindly remind you about the upcoming deadline." This subtle wording keeps the conversation positive and open.
Instead of “gentle reminder”, you can use alternatives like “friendly reminder” or “kind reminder” to maintain a polite tone without sounding repetitive. Other polite reminder email phrases to consider include: “Just checking in…” “This might have slipped your mind”
Above all, you want to remain professional, polite, and gentle when getting in touch with customers. When you're looking for how to kindly remind someone, you can write “I thought it would be helpful to remind you…,” “I wanted to remind you…,” “just a note to recall,” “kindly remember,” or even “I wanted to bring up…”