Getting paid: a calm guide to invoices that don't get ignored

Late payment is rarely about a difficult client. It's usually an invoice that was unclear, late, or never followed up. Fix those three and most of the problem disappears.

Make the invoice impossible to misread

One clear amount, VAT shown per line, your banking details, and a due date written as a date — not “30 days”. The less someone has to work out, the sooner they pay.

Send it the day the work is done

An invoice sent a week later signals the deadline doesn't matter to you either. Same-day invoicing quietly resets that expectation.

Follow up like a professional, not a debt collector

A short, friendly reminder a few days before the due date, and again just after, is normal and effective. Keep it warm and factual.

The IBIS team

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