Guides: getting paid on time

Short, practical guides for freelancers and small studios who'd rather do the work than chase invoices. Every template is free to copy.

Templates and timing

• Payment reminder email templates: 5 steps from friendly to final

  Copy-paste emails for 3 days before the due date through to 30 days overdue.

• When to send a payment reminder

  The −3, +1, +7, +14, +30 day schedule, adjusted for net 14, 30 and 60 terms.

• How to politely ask a client for payment

  The words that work, phrases to avoid, and what to do when a client goes quiet.

Late fees and escalation

• Late payment interest in the UK: how much can you charge?

  8% plus base rate, £40/£70/£100 compensation, a worked example and the EU rules.

• Final notice before legal action: template and what to include

  A final demand email, a UK letter before action, and how long to give.

Free tools

• Late payment interest calculator (UK & EU)

  Statutory interest and fixed compensation for any overdue business invoice.

• Payment reminder email generator

  Fill in four fields, get a ready-to-send reminder in the right tone.