How to politely request late payment from a media company client

Late payment from a media company client usually comes down to their process, not bad faith. Here's who pays, when, what tends to hold payment up, and a polite reminder you can send today.

Who pays, and when

An editor or producer commissions the work. A finance team pays, often through a payment system. Many pay on publication, or at the end of the month after publication.

Why payment runs late

Payment may only start once the piece is published, which can be delayed.

Tips for chasing a media company client

• Agree before you start whether you're paid on delivery or on publication.
• Include the commission reference and delivery date.
• Chase the editor first. They can often fix approvals quickly.

Example reminder email

Subject: Quick reminder: invoice [number] Hi [first name], I hope all's well. Invoice [number] for [amount] was due on [date]. If it's already on its way, thank you, and please ignore this. The commission reference and delivery date are included below. Is payment waiting for publication, and do you know when that will be? You can pay here: [payment link] Thanks, [Your name]