Make your credit collection activities more effective and efficient with these six tips. Get paid faster by getting control of our accounts receivable activities.

1. Get Paid Faster
Helping SMB’s Quickly
Collect Outstanding
Accounts Receivable &
Avoid Payment Objections

2. Do you have a full time professional handling your
collections activities? Probably not, most SMB’s don’t.
In most small companies, a bookkeeper, salesperson, or
the business owner is given this job- taking him or her
away from other important duties
Here are some tips on how
to make effective collections calls
while maintaining a positive
relationship with customers

3. 6 Tips To Help You Get Paid
Faster: 1. Preparation
2. Initial Call
3. Call Notes
4. Voice Mail
5. Demand Calls
6. Ask for the money

4. LET’S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK. . .

5. Have relevant supporting information readily available, including:
• The invoice(s) you are calling about &
supporting documentation (proof of
delivery, purchase order, etc.)
• Notes from prior contacts regarding this invoice
• Customer account status and past payment
history.
• Customer contact
Set an objective regarding the call. Are you
looking for specific info? or for a specific
PREPARATION
follow-up action to be performed by the
client?

6. You will have already sent the invoice & possibly a past-due reminder. The
objective of this call is to determine the status of the payment and identify
any issues that may be delaying that payment. In your own words introduce
yourself and cover the following points:
•I’m calling from <Company> regarding our
invoice number <x> for $x that was due on
<date>. Have you sent payment for this yet?
Yes? ask for check number
and sent date
No? confirm they have the invoice and
ask when payment is scheduled.
•If there are issues which are delaying
payment, get as much info as possible for INITIAL CALL
appropriate follow-up
•Get the name and title of the person you spoke
with.

7. Record notes of the key points of the call including the time & date as well
as any promises made by the customer. (Mark your calendar to follow up
these promises)
Since most accounting systems have
limited capabilities for entering notes or
activities you might consider using
collection management software such
as Anytime Collect for this purpose so
that this information can be shared
among all individuals within your
company that need to know what’s
happening with a customer. CALL NOTES

8. When you call a company and get a person’s voice mail, be sure to leave a brief
message such as the example below.
”I’m calling from <company> regarding our invoice number <#> for $X
that was due on <date>. Could you please call me back and let me
know when this is scheduled for payment?”
•Be sure to clearly state your name and
phone number and repeat if needed.
•If you have an email address for the
person or department you care
calling, send a note to tell them you left a
message & restate the above points;
VOICE MAIL
attach a copy of the invoice as well.
•Make a note of this call & email; mark
your calendar to follow up in 2-3 days.

9. It’s time to get more forceful & ask for payment if your messages & emails are ignored or your
customer’s promises are not kept. Be firm, yet courteous. This is a three-step process:
1. Ask why you have
not been paid. Show 3. Propose a specific and
understanding & realistic payment action
sympathize with the on their part. Do not ask
customer. This may catch them how much they can
them off guard and is pay & when — that gives
particularly effective up control & opens it up for
when the customer is unrealistic or unreasonable
experiencing financial suggestions. If you have
stress. the ability to accept credit
card or e-checks over the
2. Remind them they phone you should present
have an obligation to
pay you. Reiterate
price and past due
that option.
DEMAND CALLS
date. Remind them of
any prior promises to
pay that they made.

10. One final thought – in collections if
you don’t ask for the money, you
don’t get the money. Professional
and timely follow-up on your
invoicing is an essential part of the
process of getting paid for the work
you do.
ASK FOR THE
Remember – you’re a business, not
a bank!
MONEY

11. Using the right tools
Keeping your collections activities organized and up
to date can be a challenge, especially if you have
other duties at the office- The right software can make
collections activities less of a hassle.
Anytime Collect Accounts Receivable Collections
Management Software helps companies streamline
and better manage Accounts Receivable Credit&
Collections activities. Watch A Demo
contact us today for more information.