The unavoidable part.
HAVE A PROCESS
Invoice, reminder before due date, reminder on due date, warning, suspension, termination.
With stated intervals.
FOLLOW IT CONSISTENTLY
Inconsistent enforcement teaches clients that your dates are suggestions.
The client who is always late is usually the one who was allowed to be, once.
THE REMINDER BEFORE DUE DATE
The most effective single thing. Most late payment is oversight rather than refusal.
A reminder three days before collects a large proportion.
THE TONE
Businesslike, not apologetic and not aggressive.
"Invoice X is due on the 15th. Payment details below."
WHEN TO SUSPEND
At the stated point, having warned.
Suspending without warning damages the relationship even when the client was wrong.
WHEN TO WRITE IT OFF
A small amount from a client who has left is not worth the time to pursue.
Terminate, keep the record, and move on.
PREVENTING IT
Annual billing Automatic payment where the client agrees Clear terms stated at the start
