Step-By-Step Guide To Write A Collection Letter
The types of collection letters are:
• Notification
• Reminder
• Inquiry
• Urgency
• Final Notice
• Insufficient Funds
• Thanks For Payment
• Missing Payment/Apology
For example:Notification is the letter is to notify the
recipient that the bill is overdue.
This reminder letter is to inform the reader that the
invoice is overdue, and the payment still has not been obtained. Be careful to
concentrate on
observable behaviors and to avoid assumptions. Saying,
"We have
not received payment," is a observable behavior.
"Haven't sent payment," is an assumption. Remain
positive.
The inquiry letter asks why the bill is not being paid off.
It supposes
The invoice is overdue. It is great to follow this
correspondence using a a personal telephone call asking concerning the payment
delay. An alternative strategy can be organized to match the receiver's present
budget limitations. If a different arrangement is made, send a copy of this new
payment plan to the receiver. Continue following up letters with telephone
calls to keep communication. Maintain all log of calls.
How to write a good collection letter?
Explanation of each portion of the letter. The first letter
describes every part of this correspondence after letters identify just changes
to the standard format. The objective of the collection letter is to get the
client to pay an overdue invoice.
Step 1: Check that the spelling of the receiver's name.
Utilize a
gender-specific courtesy name only as long as you're certain
the receiver's gender.
Step 2: The first section of the letter should explain the
scenario and concern. (date bought, the total owed and due date ).
Step 3: The following part of the letter must indicate the
deadline
for paying the invoice and any penalties which may
result. You may also want to indicate your company's
penalties or other payment policies.
Step 4: The third part of the letter must indicate the
consequences of the overdue invoice. Originally, these can be
penalties, however, since the bill grows more delinquent, it
may involve a collection agency.
Step 5: The Last part of the letter must promote the
receiver to send the whole payment or contact you to manage
a payment schedule.
End the letter with a positive mindset that this scenario
will be solved satisfactorily.
A checklist is always helpful to use along with the
collection letter.
• Did you confirm the title of the receiver?
• Was the tone of this letter firm but understanding?
• Did you say the total amount owed?
• Did you state when the invoice has been due?
• Did you propose an alternate payment program?
• Did you state the new deadline?
• Did you trace phone contacts?
• Did you indicate that the effects of not paying the
invoice?