Getting an invoice paid on time feels pretty great. You appreciate your clients’ attention to the due date, because it helps your business to maintain a consistent cash flow. You also know how difficult it can be to track down late payments, as well as the amount of work that can go into that task. Prompt payments are a boon to your profitability as well as your own time. And according to research, a simple ‘please’ when it comes to invoice reminders, and ‘thank you’ when the bill is paid can increase the percentage of paid invoices by more than 5%!
This is why invoicing etiquette is important from the beginning to the end, and that includes the time that comes after your customer pays their fees. From building accurate and professional invoices that are careful to record sensitive customer data to maintaining a courteous tone when sending invoice reminders, you are constantly working towards a foundation of trust. So why wouldn’t it follow that a simple thank you should be part of your billing routine?
To help you maintain those important business-to-client relationships, here are some tips for writing the perfect ‘thank you for paying’ email.
Tone is important during each step of invoicing. Accuracy and attention to detail are part of this respectful relationship, and you want to set the bar high from the first contact. Making sure to get your customer’s name correct, as well as contact details sets a good first impression. Cultivating this level of care and consideration will build trust with clients both new and returning. Even if you have to ramp up the seriousness when it comes to invoice reminders-particularly on late payments-consistency is key. Keep to a polished, well-mannered communication style, and you will find that it is easy to write a simple thank you when your business has concluded. You can even put a ‘thank you’ into final invoices before they are paid.
A thank you can be included with some reminders of why it is important for your customer to pay on time. If you offer early payment discounts, for example, you can slip this fact into your email. A simple, “Thank you for your business. Don’t forget that if you pay by this due date, you will receive a 10% discount on your invoice!” This approach can also be taken when it comes to payment options. If you want your customer to use a particular form of payment, a “Thank you for your business. Save 10% if you pay through this link” is a great option. These methods will motivate your clients to pay faster.
Personalization is always important, so that your customers don’t feel like just a number. Whether a first-time or repeat client, it might be worth thinking about to add some customized details to your email thank yous.
Someone who has used your service once would appreciate something like this:
“Thank you for your business today, name. It was a pleasure helping you to find what you needed for your first purchase. Our team is always ready to help you discover new products to best suit your future needs. We are just a phone call/email away (contact information). We hope to work with you again, very soon.
Kind regards,
Business or Employer Name”
Repeat clients are a key to keeping your company afloat, so don’t neglect their needs. No matter how long they have been coming to you to fulfil their service needs, it is just as appropriate and important to acknowledge their contributions to your company.
Long-term clients can be thanked in emails such as:
“Thank you for your continued business, name. You have been working with us since year, and we appreciate you being a part of our family. Your loyalty means that our business can continue year after year, and we want to let you know how grateful we are for your continued patronage.
Kind regards,
Business or Employer Name”
These courteous and simple thank you emails mean that not only will you be more likely to retain customers, but that their repeat business and referrals will mean a higher likelihood that your company will prosper. Networking is difficult at the best of times, but customers who feel valued are more likely to tell their friends and family about you, and also to continue to purchase your services themselves.
Build these messages of appreciation into your emails, whether they come attached to invoice reminders or after the fees are paid. With customizable email templates, Invoice Tracker is a great option to integrate with your accounting software. Save time with automated, personal email reminder sets, and put your ‘thank you’ in with your invoice information for as many emails as you’d like to send. Include personal touches and save hours chasing payments with a free, 30-day Invoice Tracker trial.
