How to Follow Up on an Unpaid Invoice as a Creator

Sending a payment reminder to a brand feels awkward in a way that most other professional tasks don't. There's a version of the situation where you come across as needy, or aggressive, or like you don't trust them — and the worry about that perception stops a lot of creators from following up at all.

But a payment reminder is not a personal accusation. It's a normal part of business. Finance departments at brands process dozens or hundreds of invoices a month. Yours getting lost, delayed, or sitting in the wrong inbox is genuinely common — and a polite follow-up is exactly what moves it forward.

Here is a complete follow-up sequence: what to send, when to send it, and how to escalate if nothing works. Before you reach this point on future deals, it's worth setting up your invoicing correctly from the start. See how to invoice a brand as a content creator.

Before You Chase: Check These First

Before sending any follow-up, make sure the invoice was actually received and contains the right information. A surprising number of "late" payments are delayed simply because the invoice went to the wrong person, had an error in the payment details, or was missing a purchase order number the brand's finance team needs.

• Did you send it to the right address? Marketing contacts and finance teams often have different email addresses. If you only sent it to the person who briefed you, ask them to forward it to accounts payable.
• Is the invoice number correct? Brands often require a unique invoice number that matches their records. If yours is missing or doesn't match their PO, it may not be processable.
• Are your payment details accurate? A wrong IBAN, sort code, or PayPal address will cause a payment to fail silently. Double-check before chasing.
• Have the payment terms passed? If you agreed Net 30 and it's been 28 days, the invoice isn't technically overdue yet. Confirm the due date before sending a reminder. For a refresher on what payment terms to set, see what payment terms to use for brand deals.

The Follow-Up Timeline

What to Write at Each Stage

Due date — friendly reminder

Day 7 — direct follow-up

Day 14–21 — escalated contact

Day 30+ — formal demand

Why Most Brands Pay After the First or Second Reminder

The reality is that most late payments aren't intentional. Marketing teams are often disconnected from finance, invoices genuinely do get lost, and payment runs at larger companies happen on fixed schedules that don't align with when your invoice arrived. A polite, well-timed follow-up is usually all it takes.

The brands that don't respond after two or three follow-ups are a different situation. That's when the tone shifts — not aggressive, but formal. Referencing the contract and using the word "demand" in the subject line signals that you're serious without being hostile, and it often prompts payment even at that stage.

What Happens if the Brand Still Doesn't Pay

If you've sent a formal demand and still received no payment or response, your options depend on the amount and the country. Having a signed contract with explicit payment terms makes every one of these options significantly stronger. Without it, you're relying on email trails and goodwill. For everything a contract should include to protect you in this situation, see what to include in a brand deal contract.

• Small claims court. In the US, UK, AU, CA and NZ, small claims courts handle debts below a certain threshold without requiring a lawyer. A signed contract and a clear invoice trail are strong evidence.
• A solicitor's letter. A formal letter from a lawyer often prompts payment from brands who have been ignoring the creator directly. The cost is usually a few hundred pounds or dollars and is often worth it for amounts over $1,000.
• Debt collection agency. Agencies typically take a percentage of the recovered amount. An option for larger debts when legal action seems disproportionate.