Chasing money without turning it into a fight

Chasing money without turning it into a fight
Chasing badly costs you the relationship and rarely speeds anything up. Chasing well is a routine, not an emotion.
The ladder, roughly one rung per week:
— Before the due date, a short note confirming the invoice was received and asking whether anything else is needed. This one prevents most problems.
— The day after due: a factual reminder to accounts, invoice attached again, reference stated, one question about status.
— One week late: escalate to your account manager, with dates, and ask them to find out where it sits internally.
— Two weeks: contact someone senior. Polite, specific, no adjectives. The amount, the dates, what you need.
— Beyond that: written notice referencing the contract clause, and reduce or stop volume.
Throughout: always in writing, always with numbers, never angry. Anger gives them a reason to discuss your tone instead of their payment.
Escalate on a schedule, not on a mood.