When a client says, “I will pay next week,” this can be a tempting promise that you’d want to accept and wait for the client to fulfill. But next week is not a fixed payment date. The best response to this is to ask your client the day they intend to make payment and how they plan to send the money. This gives you something specific to record and a clear date for your next payment reminder message if the money doesn’t arrive.
You can be polite and still not leave the payment open-ended. With this guide, you’ll learn seven messages for WhatsApp and email, from gentle reminders before the due date to the final notice when an invoice remains unpaid. Each of these messages will help you follow up on payments professionally while maintaining a good relationship with your clients.
Why Clients Delay (and What Works)
A client who promises to pay next week may be either:
- Waiting for money from their own customers
- Dealing with an internal approval process
- Might simply be putting the invoice off
You may not know the reason until you ask, so avoid assuming the worst.
Keep each payment reminder message short, polite, and specific. State the invoice amount, refer to the agreed due date, and ask for a clear payment date when necessary.
A consistent follow-up timeline also helps you handle late-paying clients without damaging the relationship.
Reminder 1: Before the Due Date
Send a friendly reminder three to five days before the due date or the day before, if that is the typical payment arrangement. The person should have plenty of time to get the payments ready, and the reminder should not sound like a demand.
WhatsApp Message
Good morning, [Name of client]. A quick reminder that invoice INV-0042 for ₦150,000 is due on [date]. The payment link is here: [link]. Please let me know if anything is unclear.
Hello [Name of client],
This is a quick reminder that invoice INV-0042 for ₦150,000 is due on [date]. You can complete the payment using this link: [link].
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Kind regards,
[Votre nom]
For those who have clients in Ghana, you can just switch out the naira symbol for the Ghana cedi symbol. Keep the reminder factual and friendly; the aim is to help the client remember the due date, not make them feel accused of delaying payment. All you have to do if you want to use this example is switch out the details here for the ones accurate to you.
Reminders 2 to 5: Escalating Politely
As the due date goes by, each reminder should be slightly more assertive, though not necessarily nasty. Mention the invoice, explain what you want from the client, and record their response.
Reminder 2: On the Due Date
Send this message on the agreed payment date. Keep it brief and give the client room to confirm when they have paid.
WhatsApp Message
Hello [Name], invoice INV-0042 for ₦150,000 is due today. Kindly confirm once payment has been made. Thank you.
Bonjour [Nom],
A quick reminder that invoice INV-0042 for ₦150,000 is due today. Kindly confirm once payment has been made.
Thank you,
[Votre nom]
Reminder 3: Three Days After the Due Date
If payment hasn’t arrived three days after the deadline, follow up to establish when you can expect it. Avoid accusing the client of ignoring you; focus on the outstanding invoice.
WhatsApp message
Good afternoon, [Name]. Invoice INV-0042 for ₦150,000 was due on [date], and I haven’t received the payment yet. Could you let me know when I should expect it?
Email version
Bonjour [Nom],
Invoice INV-0042 for ₦150,000 was due on [date], and I haven’t received the payment yet. Could you confirm when I should expect it?
Kind regards,
[Votre nom]
Reminder 4: When the Client Says “I Will Pay Next Week”
This is the point where you need a specific commitment. Thank the client for responding, then ask them to name the payment date and method. Don’t leave the conversation at “next week” and assume the money will arrive.
WhatsApp message
Thank you, [Name]. To note it down, which day next week should I expect the payment, and by what method? I’ll follow up on that day.
Email version
Bonjour [Nom],
Thank you for the update. Could you confirm which day next week I should expect payment for invoice INV-0042 and which payment method you’ll use? I’ll follow up on the agreed date.
Kind regards,
[Votre nom]
Once the client gives you a date, record it and follow up on that day if payment hasn’t arrived. If they miss the new date, refer to the commitment they made rather than restarting the conversation from scratch.
Reminder 5: Seven to Ten Days After the Due Date
At this stage, make the request firmer. Give the client a clear deadline and ask them to explain any issue preventing payment. This keeps the conversation constructive while making it clear that the outstanding balance needs attention.
WhatsApp message
Hello [Name]. Invoice INV-0042 for ₦150,000 is now [number] days overdue. Please make payment by [date], or let me know if something is preventing payment so we can discuss the next step.
Email version
Bonjour [Nom],
Invoice INV-0042 for ₦150,000 is now [number] days overdue. Please arrange payment by [date]. If something is preventing payment, let me know so we can discuss the next step.
Kind regards,
[Votre nom]
Follow up on the deadline you set in your next message. Don’t threaten consequences you can’t carry out, and don’t impose a late fee unless you’ve agreed to it ahead of time.
Reminder 6: Fourteen to Twenty-One Days After the Due Date
If the invoice is not paid two to three weeks later, send a formal reminder. Provide the amount owed, a final payment deadline, and what actions will be taken if that deadline is not met. If you want to suspend work, this consequence should be straightforward but not threatening.
WhatsApp message
Dear [Name], invoice INV-0042 for ₦150,000, due on [date], remains unpaid. Please settle the outstanding amount by [date]. If payment is not received by then, I will need to pause work on [project]. Thank you.
Email version
Dear [Name],
Invoice INV-0042 for ₦150,000, due on [date], remains unpaid. Please settle the outstanding amount by [date].
If payment is not received by this deadline, I will need to pause work on [project] until the invoice is settled.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Kind regards,
[Votre nom]
Only state the consequences you will be able to reasonably enforce with your client. If you want to include a late fee, that charge should be agreed upon prior to the invoice being overdue.
When to Stop Working
If a client is at least 30 days overdue or repeatedly misses promised payment dates, you may need to pause new work until they settle the outstanding invoice. Continuing to deliver work without a reliable payment commitment can increase the amount you’re owed.
Before pausing, check your agreement with the client and explain the decision in writing. State which project you’re pausing, identify the unpaid invoice, and make it clear what needs to happen before work resumes. Keep the message professional, even if you’ve already followed up several times.
WhatsApp message
Dear [Name], as the agreed payment date of [date] has passed without payment, I’m pausing work on [project] until invoice INV-0042 is settled. I’ll resume work as soon as payment is received. Thank you for understanding.
Email version
Dear [Name],
As the agreed payment date of [date] has passed without payment, I’m pausing work on [project] until invoice INV-0042 is settled.
I’ll resume work once the outstanding payment has been received. Please let me know if you need me to resend the invoice or payment details.
Kind regards,
[Votre nom]
If the client has paid part of the invoice, confirm the amount received and the remaining balance before sending a notice. Any late fee should also follow the terms you agreed on beforehand.
Automatic Reminders in Billing Plus
Billing Plus lets you set up automatic email reminders for unpaid invoices. You can write your own messages, preview them, and send a test before they go out. The reminders are scheduled for before the due date, on the due date, and after it.
The reminders continue while the client owes a balance, even after a part payment. They stop once you record the final payment. You can also record part payments against an invoice and generate a receipt to send to the client, helping you track the remaining balance.
WhatsApp follow-ups remain manual, but you can share invoices through WhatsApp and include payment links on them. If you want to manage your invoicing and payment follow-ups in one place, you can get started with Billing Plus.
Réflexions finales
If a client promises you they’ll pay next week, request a specific date and payment method, and follow up if the payment is delayed. Be firm but polite in your messages requesting payment. Record every deadline set, and don’t work on debts not paid on time.
