It’s important to follow the late payment process diligently instead of picking what parts you’re comfortable with. By trusting the process you will improve your chance of getting paid.
Here are some mistakes we see freelancers make when chasing late payments.
Meek check-ins
Gentle reminders are alright in the run-up to your invoice being overdue, but the second you initiate the late payment process let’s be done with wishy washy language.
What do I mean by that?
“I’m sorry to bother you.”
“Is it OK if my invoice is paid?”
Replace this with strong messaging that imposes a deadline they should pay you by.
Tone of voice is everything. If you’re continuing to chase unpaid invoices with timid language there’s a good chance other suppliers will be prioritised above you.
Instead we want to show the client we mean business. We know what we’re doing and we’re not going away easily.
Do you need help with following the process? Refer to the late payment templates included with your legal expenses insurance or explore other avenues.
Engaging in extra curricular activities
We’ve helped freelancers chase late payments before only for them to admit they engaged in underhand tactics alongside our guidance.
This usually includes publicly naming and shaming their client on social media (“Avoid working with this company! They don’t pay on time!”). Or commenting on a client’s LinkedIn post to ask when their invoice will be paid.
As an insurance broker, these tactics don’t sit right with me. I worry they open the freelancer up to claims of libel or slander. Furthermore, it’s not very professional and can undermine the formal late payment process we should be sticking to.
Once you begin the formal late payment process, commit to it!
Going from 0 to 100
Another mistake we see freelancers make is escalating from a gentle reminder to threatening legal action. There’s no in-between. The late payment process is a 3 step system, but some freelancers skip straight to the end.
Many late payments don’t come from a place of malice. They’re usually down to archaic, internal credit control procedures where invoices are paid on a 60 day cycle. Frustrating, yes, but not the grounds for legal action.
And if you do take further action—whether it’s through your legal expenses insurance or initiating small claims court—you’ll need to show you’ve exhausted your usual credit control procedure.
You may as well start with following the late payment process instead of making empty threats.
Late payments are stressy, but keep a cool head
We want to increase your chance of getting paid, so:
- Buy into the formal late payment process and once you begin make sure you commit to following the steps diligently
- If you need help knowing how to chase late payments, use your legal expenses insurance or contact us
- Understand that tone of voice is everything and will show your client they should take you seriously
- Don’t throw your client under the bus. They might have a good reason for non-payment. Dragging their name through the mud is unprofessional and could lead to you being accused of slander
- Don’t make empty threats. Instead stick to—and trust—the process!
