What is Dunning?
Dunning is the systematic process of chasing overdue invoices — a polite reminder at 7 days, a firmer one at 30, a final notice at 60. It's not collections; it's disciplined follow-up, and most late payments are forgetfulness, not malice. Automate it and it stops feeling personal.
In practice
An agency's dunning sequence: day 7 'friendly reminder,' day 21 'second notice + late fee warning,' day 45 'final notice before collections.' 80% pay by the second email.
Never chase manually again
Clear terms on every invoice plus a guide to getting paid on time.
Read the late-payments guideFrequently asked questions
When should dunning start?
Day one past due — a friendly 'just checking this didn't slip through' reminder. Politeness first; firmness escalates with time.
How many dunning notices before collections?
Three is standard: reminder, firm notice with consequences, final notice. Then collections or write-off — don't dun forever.
Should dunning be automated?
Yes. Scheduled reminders remove the awkwardness and the forgetting. The best dunning email is the one you never had to remember to send.