Navigating cashflow as a growing SME is like steering a ship through choppy waters. When invoices linger unpaid, every delayed pound depletes your ability to invest in people, product development, or marketing—and ultimately stalls your growth.
DIY Credit Control: Practical Tips to Chase Invoices Yourself
If you choose to handle credit control in-house, these tactics can help you stay on top of unpaid invoices without losing focus on your core business:
- Set crystal-clear payment terms
- State due date, late-fee penalties, and early-payment discounts on every invoice.
- Reinforce terms during onboarding calls.
- Automate your reminders
- Schedule emails on the due date, then at 7, 14, and 30 days past due.
- Keep message templates ready so each outreach feels professional and consistent.
- Keep a tight tracking system
- Use your accounting software or a simple spreadsheet to log every invoice, follow-up date, and client response.
- Colour-code high-risk accounts for faster escalation.
- Master the art of the call
- Open with a friendly check-in: “I hope you’re well—just a quick note on invoice #123.”
- Offer payment-plan options if cashflow is tight.
- Listen actively and document commitments immediately.
- Block time in your calendar
- Dedicate 30–60 minutes each week solely to credit control.
- Treat it like any other revenue-critical task to avoid letting it slip.
Why DIY Credit Control Often Falls Short
- Emotional friction: chasing friends or repeat clients can strain relationships.
- Inconsistency: when you’re juggling proposals, onboarding and service delivery, follow-ups slip through the cracks.
- Opportunity cost: every hour spent chasing invoices is an hour away from business development.
- Lack of specialist tools and processes: spreadsheets and email alone can’t rival automated workflows and escalation triggers.
Outsource Credit Control: The Smarter Option
Handing over your invoice chasing to specialists doesn’t mean losing oversight—it means gaining a reliable offsite credit department:
| Criteria | DIY In-House | 64G Outsourced Service |
| Proactive phone follow-ups | Inconsistent | Included as standard |
| Dedicated credit control line | No | Branded to your business |
| Automated escalation triggers | Manual, error-prone | Fully automated |
| Real-time visibility | Basic spreadsheets | Xero, QuickBooks & Sage |
| Relationship-driven negotiation | Depends on your mood | Expert, neutral approach |
| Transparent, usage-based pricing | Hidden time cost | Flexible quotes on usage |
Why 64G Ltd?
- We embed seasoned negotiators who know when to call, what to say, and how to maintain client goodwill.
- Our cloud dashboards let you monitor collections in real time without lifting a finger.
- Outsourcing often costs less than the average hourly rate you’d spend chasing debts yourself—plus you reclaim valuable time to grow your business.
Next Steps: Regain Control of Your Cashflow
- Audit your current payment cycle: calculate average days outstanding and pinpoint high-risk clients.
- Download our free cashflow forecast template at 64gltd.com to model the benefit of tighter payment terms.
- Book a no-obligation trial with 64G’s credit control team and watch your DSO shrink while you focus on scaling.
Slow payment culture doesn’t have to be your reality. Whether you DIY or partner with experts, the right process will unlock the working capital you need to thrive.
Contact us today to learn more.