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How to Chase Unpaid Invoices Without Damaging the Relationship
Practical scripts and a simple system for getting paid, without losing the customer
Every business owner in Nigeria has been here: you delivered the work, sent the invoice, and now the customer has gone quiet. Two weeks pass. Then three. You don't want to seem desperate. You also don't want to lose the money. The good news is that you can do both: get paid and keep the relationship.
Here's a simple system that works.
1. Know Exactly Who Owes You
You can't chase what you can't see. Before sending any message, open Nexa and check your invoices list. Filter by Unpaid or Overdue. You'll see every outstanding invoice, the customer, the amount, and how many days past due.
Why this matters
Following up on guesswork makes you look unorganised. Following up with exact figures ("Invoice INV-00024 for ₦85,000, due 14 days ago") makes you look professional, and harder to ignore.
2. Let Nexa Send the First Few Reminders for You
Most overdue invoices aren't deliberate. The customer forgot, lost the message, or got busy. A polite automatic reminder solves about half of these cases without you lifting a finger.
On Nexa, you can send a payment reminder to any unpaid invoice in one tap. The customer receives a friendly notice with the original payment link, so they can settle the invoice immediately.
Rule of thumb: send the first reminder 2 days after the due date, the next one a week later, and the final one two weeks after due date.
Send Payment Reminders in One Tap
Nexa tracks every unpaid invoice and lets you send polite reminders with a built-in payment link. Get paid without the awkward chase.
Try Nexa Free3. Use the Right Words at the Right Stage
Tone matters more than frequency. Start gentle. Escalate slowly. Stay professional even when you're frustrated. Here are three scripts you can copy and adapt.
Hi [Customer Name], Hope you're doing well. Just a friendly reminder that invoice INV-00024 for ₦85,000 was due on [date]. You can pay directly here: [link] Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!
Hi [Customer Name], Following up on invoice INV-00024 (₦85,000), which is now [X] days overdue. Could you confirm when payment will be made? If there's an issue on your end, please let me know so we can sort it out. Payment link: [link] Thanks for your attention to this.
Hi [Customer Name], This is a final reminder regarding invoice INV-00024 for ₦85,000, now [X] days overdue. Please settle this by [specific date] to keep your account in good standing. If you're unable to pay in full, reply to this message and we can discuss a payment plan. Payment link: [link]
Pro tip
Never start with anger or threats. Even at Stage 3, keep the door open for a conversation. Most customers who go quiet are embarrassed, not malicious. Give them a graceful way to pay.
4. Know When to Escalate (And How)
If three reminders go unanswered, it's time to switch channels and tone. Don't keep sending the same text into silence.
- Call the customer directly. A voice conversation often unlocks what messages cannot.
- Offer a payment plan. Half now, half in two weeks is better than zero forever.
- Pause future work or orders until the outstanding balance is cleared. State this calmly, in writing.
- For amounts large enough to matter, involve a lawyer or a debt recovery service. Use this as a last resort.
5. Spot Chronic Late Payers Early
Some customers always pay late. Nexa keeps the full payment history of every customer in their profile, so you can see how often someone delays. Use this data to protect yourself going forward.
For repeat late payers:
Require a deposit before starting work. 50% upfront, 50% on delivery is standard for service businesses.
For good payers:
Reward them. Offer slightly better terms, faster turnaround, or a small discount on bulk orders. Reliable customers are worth keeping.
The 5-Step System at a Glance
- Track every unpaid invoice in Nexa.
- Automate the first 2-3 reminders with a tap.
- Escalate tone gradually: friendly, firm, final.
- Switch channels if reminders are ignored: call, payment plan, pause work.
- Adjust terms for chronic late payers; require deposits.
Stop Chasing. Start Getting Paid.
Nexa keeps every invoice, every customer, and every payment in one place. Send reminders in a tap, see who owes what at a glance, and get paid with built-in payment links.
Start Free on Nexa →No credit card required • 30-day free trial
Download the Nexa mobile app:
Published: May 4, 2026
This guide is for educational purposes. Features shown reflect the current version of the Nexa mobile app.
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