What belongs in a payment request?
- Invoice number and invoice date
- Outstanding amount
- A concrete deadline with a date (e.g., "by November 15") instead of "soon"
- Payment method: bank details or a payment link
- A friendly, matter-of-fact tone
Template 1: friendly payment request
"Hi [Name], thanks again for the great collaboration. Please find attached invoice no. [number] for [amount]. Please settle the amount by [date]. The quickest way is through this link: [payment link]. Best, [Your name]"
Template 2: payment reminder
"Hi [Name], this may have slipped through in the day-to-day: invoice no. [number] for [amount] was due on [date]. I'd appreciate your payment by [new date]. Here's the direct link: [payment link]."
Template 3: payment request with a firm deadline
"Dear [Name], despite a reminder, invoice no. [number] for [amount] is still outstanding. Please pay the amount by [date] at the latest. Otherwise, I reserve the right to take further steps."
At this point it's worth looking at the next steps up to a formal dunning procedure. These templates are examples.
Better: never having to send a request at all
On projects run through Stipme, the client secures the budget with the payment partner Stripe before work begins. After each delivery, they approve with one click, or it's approved automatically once the review period ends if there's no response. You won't need to send a payment request at all.