Tools
When to send payment reminders (invoice follow-up schedule)
Pick the schedule that matches your invoice (net 30 or shorter terms). The table shows when to send each payment reminder, counted in days from the due date. Due date calculator · Reminder templates
First payment reminder · Overdue follow-up · Schedule guide (article)
Updated May 22, 2026
Schedule planner
Choose the schedule that matches the invoice. Every step is counted in calendar days from the due date (day 0 = due date, +3 = three days after due).
Not sure of the due date? Due date calculator
| Day (from due) | What to do | Tone | Email template |
|---|---|---|---|
| +3 | Email reminder 1 | Friendly | Polite template |
| +10 | Email reminder 2 | Direct | Direct template |
| +18 | Email reminder 3 | Firm | Firm template |
| +25 | Phone or principal emailNo email template. Call or email the decision-maker directly. | Personal | N/A |
| +30 | Final written reminder | Final warning | Past due template |
Adjust per client if needed. Read the full guide
When to send payment reminders (FAQ)
- When should you send a payment reminder?
- For most net-30 project invoices, send the first email 1 to 3 days after the due date if nothing is recorded. Use the net-30 schedule on this page for later steps. Optional pre-due heads-ups can go 3 days before due for large AP teams.
- When should you send your first invoice payment reminder?
- Usually 1 to 3 business days after the due date for net-30 work. Avoid chasing before due unless terms are very short or the client asked for an early notice.
- How do you follow up on an overdue invoice?
- Follow a written schedule: polite first nudge, then clearer asks, then firm tone, then a final written reminder. Pause during disputes. This planner links each step to email templates you can copy.
- How often should you remind a client to pay?
- Space emails by days from the due date, not by mood. The short cadence (+2, +7, +12) works for due-on-receipt or smaller balances. Net 30 uses +3, +10, +18, +30 plus a phone step around +25.
- What is an invoice follow-up schedule?
- A day-by-day plan for reminder emails after the due date. Automating the same offsets in NowPaid stops you from sending three friendly notes in one week, then going silent.