In short
Follow up the day after the due date, with a short, factual message. Then step it up at each stage: a firm reminder after 7 days, a call or an email to the accounts team after 15 days, a formal demand letter after 30 days. Most late payments are settled at the first two stages, as long as you follow up on time.
Before the due date: prevent the delay
- As soon as the deal is agreed, ask the brand who to send the invoice to (often an accounts team, not your marketing contact).
- Put a precise due date and your bank details on the invoice.
- For a new client, ask for a 30 to 50% deposit.
- For a large amount, send a friendly reminder two or three days before the due date.
The reminder schedule
| When | Action | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Short email with the invoice attached | Friendly, assume it slipped |
| Day 7 | Second email, copying the accounts team | Firm and factual |
| Day 15 | Call or direct message to your contact | Find out what's blocking |
| Day 30 | Formal demand letter | Formal |
| Then | Payment order or small claim | Simplified court procedure |
The messages to send
Subject: Invoice INV-2026-014, due yesterday
Hi Camille, just a quick reminder about invoice INV-2026-014 (€450 excl. tax), which was due yesterday. I've attached it again. Could you confirm the transfer date? Have a lovely day!
Subject: Invoice INV-2026-014, 7 days overdue
Hello, unless I'm mistaken, invoice INV-2026-014 for €450 excl. tax is still unpaid. Could you tell me when payment is planned? As a reminder, the invoice terms provide for late payment interest and a fixed recovery fee.
Stay polite to the end. The person you're talking to isn't always responsible for the delay, and you may want to work with the brand again.
Formal demand and your options
If nothing moves after a month, send a formal demand letter (sometimes called a letter before action) by a method that proves delivery, such as recorded post. It restates the invoice, the amount and the missed due date, and sets a final deadline (8 to 14 days, for example) before legal action.
With no reply, most countries offer a simplified procedure to recover a debt: a payment order or a small claims court, often online. For a client in another EU country, the European order for payment and the European small claims procedure exist. Check your country's official justice website for the steps and costs.
Should you claim late payment interest?
In the EU and the UK, late payment interest and a fixed recovery fee are due by law between businesses, but many creators only claim them as a last resort. Mentioning them from the second reminder is often enough to speed up payment. The terms to put on your invoice are in the guide UGC invoice.
Common questions
When should you chase an unpaid UGC invoice?
The day after the due date. The sooner you follow up, the lighter and more effective the reminder.
Can you charge a brand a late payment fee?
In the European Union, a business that pays late owes interest and a fixed compensation of at least €40 for recovery costs; the UK has similar fixed sums. Elsewhere, it depends on your contract, so state your late payment terms on the invoice.
What if a brand stops replying altogether?
Send a formal written demand with a final deadline, then start a payment order or small claims procedure if the money doesn't arrive.
This guide gives practical pointers. Rules vary by country: it doesn't replace advice from an accountant or a lawyer for your situation.