SMS payment reminder templates that work 

SMS payment reminders can be delivered instantly and automatically to save your business time and money, while reducing the number of awkward calls your staff have to make.

Whether it’s for unpaid energy bills, credit card payments, mobile phone contracts, subscriptions, loans, or tuition fees, chasing payments is a challenge that businesses of all types and sizes will face. Not only can SMS payment reminders help you get the money you’re owed, but they can also help you proactively avoid late payments.

But how should you word your payment reminder messages to come across firm but fair? We’ve put together a list of polite but effective SMS payment reminder templates below which you can use today: 

Payment reminder text message templates 

To ask for payment professionally in a message, your text needs to be clear and straightforward. It should include the amount due, due date, instructions, and payment options. You could even include a link to a payment page to speed up access. 

Try these message templates to get started: 

A quick reminder 

Hi [NAME], a quick reminder that the scheduled payment for [AMOUNT] will be taken from your account by [DATE]. To make changes to your payments, please visit [LINK].

Gentle nudge   

Hey [NAME]! We’re here to gently remind you that [AMOUNT] will be due in [DAYS]. For more information, call us at [PHONE NUMBER] or visit our website: [LINK]

Helpful prompt  

Hi, [NAME]. [AMOUNT] is outstanding on your account. Avoid additional fees if you pay by [DATE]. For more info, log into your account or give us a call.

Quick alert

Hi [NAME], your latest bill is ready for you to view. Just visit [LINK].

Unsuccessful payment notification

Your payment for [ORDER/POLICY NUMBER] was unsuccessful. Please log into your account to update your payment information or reach out to our team for help.

Low balance  

Low balance alert: Your current balance is [NUMBER] on your account.

Security  

Your one-time password is [NUMBER]. Do not share this password with anyone. This password will expire in [TIMEFRAME].

Your password has just been changed. If this was not you, please get in touch with us now.

Opt in or out  

Thanks for signing up to receive updates from us! Text HELP if you have any questions and STOP to opt out.

You have successfully unsubscribed from our [CHANNEL] updates.

Text message payment reminder best practices

Short and sweet 

With SMS, you have 160-characters to play with, so messages need to be short and compelling. The purpose of your text should be clear and customers should know they need to take action and make a payment. 

Personalize 

Some 71% of customers expect personalization, so customizing payment reminders can improve  satisfaction leading to higher engagement rates. Address customers by their first name and make the text ultra relevant to grab attention. 

Friendly yet professional

To write a gentle reminder message, the tone of your SMS should be friendly but firm – payment is not negotiable and confusing messages may cause recipients to ignore it. Stay professional to maintain your reputation and credibility while ensuring your message is clear. 

Time it right 

Sending a payment reminder months in advance or after the due date won’t be effective. A week before the deadline is ideal as it gives customers plenty of notice, while a follow up reminder the day before prompts them that the deadline is approaching. To politely follow up, you can also send a confirmation text.

Keep communications within business hours for better chances of engagement and don’t send too many payment reminders, otherwise you could risk annoying customers and coming across as spammy. 

Add links 

Increase your chance of payment by including links to payment portals for convenience and direct access.  

Call-to-action 

A good call-to-action (CTA) helps prompt activity. Phrases like ‘pay now’ or ‘view summary’ provide clear calls to action and communicate a sense of urgency which is effective if payment is imminent. 

Transforming payments with SMS 

Late payments can set businesses back leading to cash flow issues, increased borrowing, fines, damaging relationships with suppliers, and it can even halt projects. Similarly, asking for payment from loyal customers can also impact your relationship while taking up valuable administrative time. 

Automated SMS solutions offer a fast and painless way of asking for payment, saving you hours of time and reducing those awkward conversations. Wondering how to get started? Get in touch with an expert to learn more.