Day 7Friendly

Second Payment Reminder Email (Template and Timing)

The first reminder assumes an oversight. The second one can't, but it shouldn't accuse either. Its job is narrower: get a payment date in writing. Once you have a date, every later step becomes simple.

When to send it

Seven days after the due date, or four days after the first reminder if it got no reply.

The full template

Template
Subject
Second reminder: invoice [INVOICE #], [X] days overdue
Hi [CLIENT NAME],

Following up on my message from [DATE OF FIRST REMINDER]. Invoice [INVOICE #] for [AMOUNT] is now [X] days overdue and I haven't had a reply.

Could you reply with the date the payment will be made? That's all I need for now.

Details again:
Amount: [AMOUNT]
Pay to: [BANK DETAILS / PAYMENT LINK]
Reference: [INVOICE #]

Thanks,
[YOUR NAME]

Variant: When the first reminder got a vague reply

When the first reminder got a vague reply
Subject
Re: invoice [INVOICE #]
Hi [CLIENT NAME],

Thanks for saying you'd look into it last week. I still don't see the payment for invoice [INVOICE #] ([AMOUNT]).

Can you give me a specific date? I'll put it in my calendar and won't chase before then.

[YOUR NAME]

Mistakes to avoid

  • Copying the first reminder word for word. Reference it by date instead.
  • Adding pressure too early. Save deadlines and fees for day 14.
  • Forgetting to reply in the same thread, so the first reminder is lost.
  • Accepting "soon" or "this week" as an answer. Ask for the day.

FAQ

How long should I wait between payment reminders?

Around four to seven days early on: day 3, day 7, day 14 and day 30 after the due date is a common schedule.

What should a second reminder say?

Reference the first reminder, state how overdue the invoice is, repeat the payment details and ask for a payment date.

Generate all 4 emails with your details

Free, no account. Dates calculated from the due date.

Invoice details

Private, in your browser
Tone

4 follow-ups

To
Northwind Studio
Subject
Invoice INV-0042: payment reminder
Send
Hi Northwind Studio,

Invoice INV-0042 for USD 2,400.00 was due on October 20, 2026. I don't have the payment on my side yet.

Probably an oversight, so here are the details again:

Amount: USD 2,400.00
Reference: INV-0042
Pay to: details on the invoice (attached again)

If it has already gone out, send me the transfer date and I'll match it on my end.

Thanks,
Alex Rivera

Email 1 of 4

Open in email

Copy the full sequence, or open the active email in your mail app.

Still not paid after Day 30?

That is when another email stops working. The Late-Payment Rescue Pack has what I send when a client goes quiet:

  • A formal final notice letter in Word, ready to sign and send as a PDF.
  • Emails for charging a late fee and agreeing a payment plan, in English and Spanish.
  • Late payment clauses and a freelance contract so it does not happen again.

$19 one payment

Get the pack for $19

Instant download. 14-day money-back guarantee.

More templates

Late Payment Rescue Pack

Everything you need when a client doesn't pay.

The emails are the last step. The pack covers the whole thing: the contract that prevents late payments, the clauses that make the late fee enforceable, and the letter for when emails stop working.

  • 12 collection emails

    6 EN + 6 ES, every stage from reminder to final notice

  • Freelance contract

    EN and ES .docx with deposit, late fee and suspension terms

  • Late-payment clauses

    Paste into the contract you already use

  • Final notice letter

    Formal letter for 30+ days overdue

  • Get-paid-on-time guide

    8 sections, phone script included

  • Payment tracker

    CSV for Sheets, Notion or Excel

  • See every file
USD 19One-time payment

Less than one hour of your billable time. One recovered invoice pays for it many times over.

Get the pack, $19

Secure checkout by Payhip. Instant download, 21 files.

14-day refund. If it doesn't help you collect, email me and you get your money back. No form.