Get paid with this effective and easy follow up strategy

Making a collection call can yield any number of outcomes. You may get paid immediately, you may be assured payment has already been sent OR you may hear a convincing promise to pay.

If you don’t get paid on the spot, then you must follow-up on any promises made during the call. Follow-up is the key to resolving the issue. And here is one effective way to do that:

As soon has you hang up the phone, send a “Thank You” email.

The subject line can simply read, “Thank You”. It’s non-threatening, so your customer is likely to open it right away. In the body, state in as few words as possible what you understand the next steps to be. Maybe this comes in the form of re-stating the promises your customer made on the phone. Include your expectations as you expressed them when you spoke including any dates and times mentioned in the call.

End your email with a question that requires a response. This helps to confirm the email was read and received. An example may read something like this:

Dear Ken,

Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on the phone this morning and for letting me know about the issues surrounding the invoice dated July 6.

Given the circumstances, I’ve waived the late fee. When your check arrives in a couple days, I’ll phone you to let you know.

It’s my understanding from the call that your next order will be placed on or around the 15th of March. Did I get that date correct?

Thanks again,

Tom

In many cases, a simple follow-up of this nature can serve to cement the promises made during the call.