Customize these free brochure examples to send to clients

Showcase your brand and book more clients by customizing our free brochure examples. Download a brochure template to get started.

Ready to send a client or new inquiry your brochure but don’t know where to start? Look no further, we have just the tool for you.

We partnered with Galler.ee to create two high-impact business brochure templates that present your services, pricing, and story in the best possible light. They’re beautifully designed, fully customizable, and 100% free. Our brochure examples will help you to gain inspiration and find direction for your upcoming client or inquiry outreach.

Leverage the templates with these business brochure examples and create the best sales tool fit for your needs.

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Get professionally designed brochures

Get a competitive edge when presenting your services.

Each free brochure template download includes:

1. Entrepreneur pricing templates (PSD Photoshop files), which include individual files you can customize for the following sections in your brochure:

  • Top header
  • Let’s get started
  • My process
  • Core values
  • Inspirational quote
  • Testimonial quote
  • Pricing and services
  • Add ons

2. Storyboard & Proofing brochure templates (PSD Photoshop files), which include:

  • Top header
  • Quote sections
  • My clients
  • “Customize Your Experience” header
  • Primary palette
  • Secondary palette
  • Moodboard

3. Instruction set for using the templates

What goes into memorable brochure design?

Using a digital brochure is best to showcase your products and services, but it can also showcase your brand. With an eye-catching brochure, leads will form stronger associations with your brand so you’re more likely to convert them into long-term clients. 

You don’t need to have your brochures professionally designed to have a big impact— by taking a look at our brochure examples and using the right brochure template you’ll be able to create brochures and customize them to fit your needs so they look just as professional as if a hired designer created them. 

When customizing your brochure templates, be sure to choose fonts and colors that match the branding on your website and social profiles. You should also include high-quality images. We recommend adding a headshot of yourself as well as photos or samples of any relevant projects.

Want your brochure to do even more?

The number one mistake we see independent business owners make with their brochures is not making it easy for clients to book them straight from the brochure. Think about it: If you make your inquiry click out of your brochure to take another step to contact you, request a proposal, or book your services, you’re just adding more steps in between booking with you.

Clients get distracted. Emails get buried. The less friction between your sales process and booking process, the better.

Pro tip

With a clientflow management platform like HoneyBook, customers can book from your brochure with the click of a button.

Interactive sales brochures let clients choose their desired services, and you can even build custom packages using the a la carte feature. On the next page, they’ll see an online invoice with the services they just selected, with the option to pay online immediately through our online payment software

Improving your brochure experience

Your brochure doesn’t always have to be a static file. If needed, it can become an interactive step in your booking process to help engage both clients and leads. The trick to improving your brochures is to think of them as part of the experience rather than just another file. Browsing brochure examples can help you to understand how other businesses incorporate their brochures into their booking process.  

HoneyBook Pros specialize in improving your business. A Pro works with you to map out the best brochure strategy for your needs and can show you multiple brochure examples to help you find one that fits your brand 100%. They’ll also help you understand when to send your brochure, what information to include, and how to move your clients toward next steps.

If you’re using brochure templates, they can even use their design expertise to make sure your template incorporates your brand throughout. 

How to use an online brochure maker

The easiest way to create a brochure is by using a platform that’s designed for easy client communication. With HoneyBook, you have full creative control to drop in images, text, questions, and services in a variety of formats. Each element is included to help you move leads forward to clients by offering a single place for them to learn about your services and select their choices. 

To use your free brochure templates with HoneyBook, simply customize the brochure examples  using Photoshop files, then upload them to your HoneyBook account. Within the brochure builder, you can drop in each part of the template as an image, then add other content blocks like questions or services. The drag-and-drop builder lets you move each element around—and you don’t have to use every file that comes with your free templates. It’s all about creating the brochure that works best for you and your clients’ needs.

Don’t forget to include more information about your company, such as your social media links and some specific project information. Once you’re finished, you’ll have a stunning and professional brochure that’s fully customized to your brand. Better yet, you can do this all with little time and effort by using our brochure examples as your starting point. 

Get professionally designed brochures

Get a competitive edge when presenting your services.

 

How to use a client welcome packet to successfully onboard new clients 

Three people meeting to discuss client onboarding

Learn how to create a client welcome packet that introduces your business, informs your new clients, and adds delight to your client experience.

Three people meeting to discuss client onboarding

Critical files for independent businesses often include invoices, contracts, sales brochures, and more. But, there’s one tool you might not be using that can play a big role in creating a great client experience. That tool is a client welcome packet. 

When you start any project or working relationship, it’s important to get the information that you might not have captured during the booking process. You will also want to set expectations with your clients about how you should be working together and communicating. Lastly, you want to make a great impression, and that starts with your client onboarding

Here’s everything to know about using a welcome packet with your clients and best practices to make sure yours is effective. 

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What should your client welcome packet include?

Your client welcome packet communicates all the important details that you would like to share with a new client. This includes information that can help build your relationship, like their birthday and communication preferences, as well as detailed information about the project. 

You can include information like a bio, your client onboarding process, your communication preferences, the project timeline, how the client can track statuses, and more. 

We’ll break it down further below. Keep in mind that your specific welcome packet may vary depending on your client onboarding checklist. For most independent businesses, your client welcome kit should include the following.

1. Welcome message and introduction

First, take the time to thank your new client for booking with you. You can include a brief note on the first page of your welcome packet, or save it for the introduction email you use to send your packet. Either way, mention something specific from when you were first talking to them as a lead, and make sure they know how excited you are. 

Even though they probably already know some things about your business from their own research, give your new clients a refresher about who you are, and your mission statement behind your business. This is also a great opportunity to introduce them to your team and any other collaborators they’ll be working with.

2. Policies

Next, get the serious stuff out of the way. Take the time to remind your clients about some of your policies, which should also be in your online contract. You don’t have to copy and paste your contract clauses, but it’s a good time to reiterate late payment fees, payment processes, confidentiality agreements, and more. 

3. Communication preferences and information

Be sure to give your clients instructions on how they can communicate with you moving forward. You should also include your office hours so they know when you’ll be able to respond and when you’re offline.

Include your contact information or a link to your scheduling tool so they’ll always be able to get a hold of you. 

4. Login details and tech overview

Different businesses use different tech, so this section will vary, but it’s important to get your clients up to speed with anything they’ll need to use as part of their onboarding. 

If you’re a photographer, for example, you may have a client portal and invoicing software. Your clients will need to know how to log in to get their photos and pay their invoices. For consultants, there may be shared tools like project management software, so you’ll need to include specific instructions for how to log in and use that system. You might also want to leverage part of your onboarding packet as an intake form to ask your clients to share specific documents.

5. FAQs

Are there common questions that you get throughout your projects? This is a great place to address them upfront and give your clients a set place to refer to them throughout the project. These might include how to use your client portal, how to adjust their payment schedule, where to find project updates, and more.

6. Timeline and scope of work

Once you’ve briefed your clients on all the general information about your business and working with you, it’s time to get into the specifics of their project. Lay out the timeline and scope of work that you’ve already agreed on in your contract. 

For a high-level overview, it can be great to call out important milestones and key dates that you’ve already set together. 

7. Payment information

One of the most important parts of running your business is getting paid. Don’t forget to reiterate everything your clients need to know to pay you. You can include their specific payment schedule along with a reminder of how you accept payment (credit card, ACH transfer, if you’re using online payment software, etc.) 

8. Next steps

Lastly, you want to include the next steps for each client. Will you be working on their project for a few weeks until the next check-in? Will there be a while until they hear from you next? Or, is there anything you need from them? Remind them to send over any important documents and files or send information you might need to get the project started. 

Download our guide to great first impressions.

Best practices for your welcome packets

As you’re designing your welcome packet, keep in mind these best practices to ensure you’re providing a great onboarding experience for your clients.

Make sure your client welcome packet is branded

Your welcome packet should be a completely branded package. This means it has to involve more than just shoving your logo into a client welcome packet template, adding text, and calling it “ready to send.”

Your client welcome packet is like holding the front door to your studio wide open to invite potential clients in. It sets the tone for your business. When it’s not cohesively branded or doesn’t fully jive with your website or social media profiles, potential clients notice and can feel the disconnect.

Keep your welcome packet concise and easy to navigate

Though there’s a ton of information to include in your welcome packet, try to keep it as simple as possible. Each section should have its own page that’s easy to navigate through a table of contents. Be sure you’re only providing the information–there’s no need to add paragraphs of text on each page if it’s unnecessary. Provide plenty of white space on the page so you’re reader can focus on the facts.

Make your client welcome packet an interactive experience

Want to upgrade your client welcome packet even more? Use a system like HoneyBook to make it interactive. Instead of a stale, static PDF, you can build fully branded, digital files that incorporate your visual brand along with video, photos, and interactive elements like questionnaires. You can provide your information while also giving your clients a professional, immersive onboarding workflow from the start.

Use the right tool to build branded, effective client welcome packets

You can build your welcome packets with a variety of tools, including docs, PDFs, and slideshows. However, you want your packet to be a living, breathing document that your clients can return to over and over again and use to refer back to different parts of your process. 

That’s why it’s best to use a clientflow platform to build your client welcome packet. With a clientflow platform like HoneyBook, you can build your welcome packet as an interactive template that syncs with other parts of your process. Clients can immediately schedule inside the welcome packet, view an online invoice, refer back to their contract, and more. 

Make sure a welcome packet is part of your clientflow

Leverage HoneyBook templates to incorporate your brand elements and create an interactive experience.

How to remind someone to pay you: 7 tips & examples 

Person working on a late payment reminder

Here’s how to remind someone to pay you—and be sure you actually get paid. Use these 7 tips to ask to be paid politely and get paid on time. 

Person working on a late payment reminder

While nobody likes to chase after their clients to get paid, it can be a normal part of running any business. 

Reminding someone to pay you is key to ensuring positive cash flow, successful projects, revenue growth, and good client relationships. 

With the right tools and strategies, you can take a lot of the work off your plate when it comes to chasing down payments. With automatic reminders and online invoices, it’s easier than ever now to get paid faster—and on time. Here’s how to send a payment reminder email to pay you so you can feel less stressed about collecting payments.

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1. Include all the payment details upfront

The best way to get paid is to avoid the need to hound your clients in the first place. When it’s time for your client to pay their first invoice, make sure you’re providing the entire payment plan upfront. 

Oftentimes, people simply forget due dates–it’s not that they’re trying to avoid paying you. 

Within your online invoice, include the following details and payment terms: 

  • Invoice number
  • Due date
  • Remaining balance
  • Additional due dates
  • Late payment policy and any associated fees
  • If you plan to charge interest on overdue payments

As soon as you send your first invoice, confirm that your client has received it. If your client has questions, you can take the time to answer those at the start of the project before you get the ball rolling and more payments are due.

2. Schedule payment reminder messages

The best way to remind your clients to pay an invoice is to send them a series of payment reminder emails.

Unfortunately, if you have a lot of clients, the time it takes to send dozens of payment reminder messages will add up quickly.

By using payment reminder software like HoneyBook, you can make your life much easier by automating email templates to send out on a predetermined schedule. For example, you can send a polite email reminder for payment a week before the invoice is due, on the day the invoice is due, and two days after it’s due if the client still hasn’t paid.

Setting up a series of payment reminders can feel like overkill at first, but in most cases, your clients will appreciate the reminders. This is especially true if the reminders provide them with a link to pay the invoice immediately with an online payment software.

Include the following information in your payment reminders: 

  • Use clear subject lines
  • Re-attach the original invoice
  • Write in a friendly tone, even if payments are late
  • Make the payment due date clear, and reiterate the payment terms they agreed to
  • Remind them how they can pay, and list the payment methods you offer
  • Provide clear details of the work they’re paying for

Once the client’s payment is late, you can rest easy knowing you’ve already provided your late payment terms.

3. Send payment reminders that are personalized and automated

If you’re automating emails, you may worry they’ll come across as too stiff or impersonal. But, you can easily have the best of both worlds with reminders that are both personalized and automated, so they still take work off your plate. 

Try an email system or automation software that lets you incorporate your brand. With HoneyBook, for example, you can implement your personal email signature and branded headers. 

When you’re setting up your payment reminders, write in your natural voice and tone. Personalization doesn’t have to mean every single email is unique; it just means you’re still adding your personal touch while relying on automation. You want your emails to be assertive and informative, but to still sound like you.

If you’re still worried, you can choose to approve your automated reminders before they send. You’ll get a notification that they’re ready to go, giving you the time to update them with any specific details for your client. 

4. Offer multiple payment options

When your client’s payment is due, you want to make it as easy as possible for them to pay. Always give your clients the benefit of the doubt. Everyone has a lot going on, so a late payment could just mean they’re confused about how to pay. 

Provide a seamless online payment experience by offering multiple payment options, linked directly from your online invoice. With a payment processor that includes invoice templates, you can offer credit and debit card payments as well as ACH payment processing

If your clients have to track down their checkbooks or pay via cash, you’re more likely to deal with an outstanding invoice. 

5. Try a phone call

If emails aren’t working, it’s time to pick up the phone. Sometimes, a two-minute phone call is all it takes to get a payment issue resolved. They may have not checked their emails, or perhaps they went on vacation and forgot to set an autoresponder.

When calling your client:

  • Introduce yourself (if needed)
  • Say that you’re calling about a late payment
  • Speak clearly and professionally
  • Give your client the benefit of the doubt
  • Be polite (even if your client isn’t)
  • Summarize what was agreed to in the contract before hanging up

Try to avoid asking why the payment is late. You can offer to provide any additional information needed to make the payment happen.

6. Remember to keep it polite

Keep in mind that your client most likely isn’t trying to swindle you. Your goal is to get paid as soon as possible and move forward with your project, not sacrifice a client relationship. 

Whether you’re scheduling automated reminders, hopping on the phone, or texting with your clients, stay personable and polite. 

You can use these payment reminder examples that incorporate professional yet polite language. Be sure to also incorporate your personality to make sure they sound like your voice. 

7. Refer to your contract details

If your clients aren’t responding or aren’t working with you to make their payment, it’s time to refer to your contract details. 

Your late payment policy should include a timeline of late payment fees, interest applied to overdue payments, suspension of services, and cancellation. 

For instance, your late fees might apply after an invoice is 7 days overdue. From there, you may suspend services and apply interest to the late payment for 30 days. After 30 days, you can reserve the right to cancel your client’s contract. You can adjust this timeline as needed, but these terms can help you protect your business. 

As you remind your clients to pay, remind them about these late payment terms as well. Once you hit certain milestones, you’re well within your rights to withhold services, as long as it’s in your online contract

At this point, you still want to keep your communications professional, and simply stick to the terms of your contract.

Use attorney-reviewed online contracts

Protect yourself against late payments with HoneyBook’s online contract templates.

Examples of kind reminders for payment

As mentioned above, it’s best to send your client a series of payment reminder messages encouraging them to pay on time rather than waiting until the payment is already late.

For example, you could send payment reminders:

  • One week before payment is due
  • On the payment due date
  • Two days after payment is due
  • One week after payment is due

Here are a few payment reminder message templates you can send to your clients:

Upcoming payment reminder

Here’s an example email sent one week in advance:

Copy/Paste Template:

Upcoming Payment Reminder

Hi Nick,

I hope you’re doing well! This is a friendly reminder that invoice #25, totaling $1,234, is due for payment on October 25th—one week from today.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the invoice or payment details.

Thank you,

Jeff

Tired of reminding clients to pay? Use automatic reminders.

HoneyBook’s payment reminders automatically remind clients about upcoming payments, due dates, and past-due invoices.
So you don’t have to.

Due date payment reminder

If you need to send a payment reminder on the due date, you’ll want to include more details to make it easier for the client to pay you:

Copy/Paste Template:

Due Date Reminder

Subject: Payment Reminder: Invoice #25 – Due Today

Hi Nick,

Hope you’re doing well. This is a reminder that invoice #25 is due for payment today (October 25th).

To remind you of the details:

Project name: Blog posts

Due date: 10/25/2020

Amount: $1,234

I’ve reattached the invoice for your convenience. Payment can be made by direct deposit, bank transfer, or check.

Best wishes,

Jeff

Late payment reminder

If the payment is late, you can use a more stern tone while still staying neutral and friendly. If applicable, you may want to include any consequences of late payments.

Copy/Paste Template:

Late Payment Reminder

Subject: Payment Reminder: Invoice #25 – One Week Overdue

Hi Nick,

As per my email reminders, payment for invoice #25, totaling $1,234, is one week overdue. I’ve reattached the invoice for your convenience. Payment can be made by direct deposit, bank transfer, or check.

Please note that a 5% late fee will be applied if the payment is not made within the next 2 business days.

As always, let me know if there’s anything I can do to help!

Best wishes,

Jeff

Use the right tools to avoid late payments

Instead of remembering how to remind someone to pay you, it’s better to avoid it altogether. Luckily, it’s entirely possible when you have the right tools. 

Usually, clients forget to pay you because they forget the due date, it isn’t easy to pay, or they simply aren’t a great fit anymore. 

Using HoneyBook’s clientflow management platform, you can always ensure you get paid. Use file templates that help you evaluate your leads and ensure they’re a good fit for your services. From there, send online contracts and invoices in the same file so clients always have to agree to your payment terms before signing and paying upfront. 

With branded invoice templates, you can always include your project’s payment schedule and apply automated payment reminders for recurring payments

Get paid faster

Use HoneyBook’s clientflow platform to send invoices, collect payments, and automate reminders.

3 pricing guide examples and best practices

Man working on a pricing guide on his phone and laptop

Learn how to create a high-converting pricing guide that attracts potential clients and boosts your sales.

Man working on a pricing guide on his phone and laptop

When you’re selling your services, pricing can be the elephant in the room. You may not want to reveal your prices too early, but you also want to make sure your clients have the right budget for what you offer. A pricing guide is the best sales tool you can use to offer your prices at the right time so you can quickly qualify leads and book clients faster.

Your pricing guide can help clients with service selection and help you save time walking clients through their options. Learn how to create a successful pricing guide, use it with clients, and check out some examples below. 

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What is a pricing guide?

Your pricing guide is a crucial component of your business. These files serve as tools for independent business owners (you!) to showcase service offerings and their price points. 

They can include the following elements:

  • Packages
  • Individual services and tasks
  • Special deals for packages and services
  • Add-on services and their costs
  • Testimonials for different services

Overall, a pricing guide is very similar to a business brochure. However, some independent business owners only use sales brochures at the top of their sales funnel, while pricing guides are usually for clients who are closer to booking. Many examples of sales brochures focus on value props, while the price guide should be more straightforward about services and offerings, and, of course, price. 

Types of effective pricing strategies 

Before you dive into creating a pricing guide, you need to have your prices set. Consider the following pricing methods that you can use: 

  • Competitive pricing: Conduct market research and set your prices based on your competition. 
  • Cost-plus pricing: Consider how much money it takes to produce your services, then add a set percentage. 
  • Dynamic pricing: Adjust your pricing according to the demand for your services.
  • Penetration pricing: Offer prices much lower than the average for your industry and competition.

These are just a few options you can use to set your prices. As you create a template for your guide, keep in mind that you should continually review and change your prices as needed.

Best practices for creating a pricing guide

Creating a well-designed, branded pricing guide can inspire trust between your business and potential clients and convince them to invest in your service. Finding the perfect balance between commerce and creativity will encourage clients to learn more about what you’re offering. As you design, remember that less is more.

The most successful guides showcase your business’s personality and demonstrate why the service you’re offering is unique. Here are some best practices to consider that make it easier for clients to make an informed decision.

Determine your target audience

A crucial part of your pricing strategy is aligning pricing tiers with your ideal client profile. Consider your target client and how much money they’ll likely be willing to spend on your services. You’ll likely have additional buyer personas within your target client profile as well. 

To make your pricing guide as targeted as possible, consider creating different versions for each persona. One might be more interested in your most expensive tiers, while others can benefit from more affordable options or even add-on services. 

Keep the design simple

Removing unnecessary elements is one way to simplify the pricing guide and give all types of clients access to the information they need. Clients may be reluctant to buy into your service if the design is difficult to digest or is unreadable. Also, consider accessibility. Is your guide easy for everyone to read and understand? Make your pricing guide helpful for all potential clients by keeping the design simple with plenty of white space. You can avoid fancy script fonts and faint colors. Keep in mind that the guide doesn’t have to incorporate all your brand elements—you can save that for other sales tools like your brochures. 

Make information easy to understand 

Include simple language in your pricing guide so the information remains accessible to a wider audience. After reading your copy, potential clients should know what they’re getting right away and see what your service costs. While it may be tempting to include as many details as possible, copy that is easy to understand is what will help you make the sale. 

Pricing should be clear

The last thing clients want to do when considering your services is math. It might sound obvious, but you should make your pricing absolutely clear when you’re sending it to clients. 

If clients can select add-ons with all of your packages, let them know that’s possible. If they can remove some services at a discount, make that clear as well. As soon as they read through your guide, they should have a good idea of what they need as well as how much the total cost will be. 

If you have surcharges that you have to calculate with their final selections, include a note about them in your guide. Ideally, you want to make sure that there aren’t going to be any surprises when your clients see the invoice.

Pricing guide examples to follow

As you’re looking for pricing guide templates and examples, keep in mind that your content needs to be highly specific to your company and clients. One thing you can do is also save a standard template, then tweak it for each client. Doing so will make the experience much more personalized, and lessen the work for you. 

Here are three pricing guide examples for photographers, videographers, and event planners. 

Photography pricing guide

A price list can be a great source of stress for a professional photographer. A typical photography pricing guide showcases different packages for weddings, portraits, and families, along with the prices and costs of any add-on services. In your pricing guide, you should clearly describe your services and what you’re selling. It’s essential to be creative when designing your pricing guide and stick to clear language that educates potential customers on what makes your photography business unique.

When guiding clients through your pricing list, you may want to consider presenting the most expensive option first. If they’ve already indicated a specific budget, selling from the top down will make it easier to convince a client to buy into a service that’s more appropriate for them. Your primary job with your pricing guide should be to temporarily unhook clients from the price and highlight the fundamental elements of your business.

Event planning pricing guide

After picking out the name of your event planning company, the next most important thing that you’ll do is create a pricing guide. Considering who your clients are can help you understand your own business; for instance, are you focusing on corporate events but finding more success with wedding planning? Answering such questions will provide insight into how you should design your guide to attract potential clients and what you should charge for your services. 

After deciding how much you should charge, you must clearly communicate the services you offer in your event planning pricing guide. With HoneyBook’s tools, event planners can create interactive dynamic files that combine various steps in their clientflow process, like creating a pricing guide that includes an online contract and an online invoice. Once the client selects a service on the pricing guide, the total will automatically be shown on the invoice. Streamlining the sales and booking process is easier than ever with HoneyBook’s tools for independent business owners. 

Videography pricing guide 

For videographers, you can increase the earning potential of your business by pricing your videos by project. Like in a photography pricing guide, this is an excellent way to get your clients to shift their focus to your efforts and the value of your expertise rather than fixating on the price. Effective marketing techniques, like including a creative logo, a striking design, or your business’s colors, can help you attract qualified leads. 

Get creative and figure out how you can incorporate a sample video into your guide. You should also include a description of your business, concisely list the cost of the services you offer, and detail why your work stands out over the competition. With a well-designed pricing guide, you can help qualified leads make a decision about paying for your services.

Book faster with smart pricing guides

Your clients can view a pricing guide, select the services they want, then sign a contract, view an invoice, and pay within our online payment software—everything in one place! Easier to customize than a web page, but more engaging than a static file, see how HoneyBook’s file templates can improve your business.  

HoneyBook offers everything you need to manage your clientflow, which is the process of selling and delivering your services. When it comes to the sales process, you can create interactive booking templates that bridge the gap from sales to booking. 

Book more clients in less time.

Customize your pricing brochure and connect it to your service selection,

contract, invoice, and more—all from one place.

How to write an introduction email to a client 

Notification of a new introduction email on a cell phone

Don’t let prospects leave you on read. Learn to write an introduction email to a client that connects you with a qualified prospect.

Notification of a new introduction email on a cell phone

How important are introduction emails? Many independents don’t know until they’re tasked with writing one. But think back to introductory emails you’ve received in the past. Did they make you feel excited about the topic at hand? Or did you feel like their introduction was cold and impersonal?

First impressions exist online just as much as they exist in person, and your first introduction email to clients sets the tone. Learn how to introduce yourself in an email and set the stage for your ongoing client relationship.

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You've seen it all when communicating with clients.

So we’ve compiled an email template for every type of correspondence.

Why would you write an introduction email?

There are a few likely reasons why you might write an introduction email to clients. One is that they reached out about your services, and another is that you want to sell them your services. You may also have recently booked a client, and need an engaging way to begin your client onboarding process. We’re big fans of introduction emails at HoneyBook because they’re personal, engaging, and repeatable.

On their most basic level, introduction emails are designed to introduce one party to another. 

So how do you write one of these that can be used time and again? It’s not as hard as you might think!

Determine a catchy, on-brand subject line

When a prospect reaches out to you about your services, typically they’re interested in hiring you. Your introduction email should address the prospective client by name, and pull them in with something interesting and conversational. 

If you have an automated response with your services or packages that goes out to interested leads, this is a great place to do a micro introduction. 

Start with “Thank you for reaching out!” to show prospective clients that you appreciate their interest.

Pro tip

With HoneyBook, you can create email templates for different use cases. Build an email intro that you can incorporate into your automations and send along with pricing guide files, sales brochures, and more.

What if you’re doing cold outreach?

If you’re doing cold outreach for your services, your subject line bears even more weight. You want the potential client to open the email, not immediately press “spam→delete” like they would on any old email. 

Try an authentic line like one of the following:

  • “I notice [prospect’s website.com] looks great, with one suggestion…”
  • “Reference from [where you found the prospect’s name]”
  • “We met at [place where you met], following up!”

Think carefully about your target audience. Stand in their shoes. If you were them, what subject line would intrigue you enough to open and read the email? Use subject lines that will intrigue and prompt your target audience to connect with your services.

Copy/paste template:

General introduction email

Hi [Prospect name],

I’m [Name] with [Company name]. 

It looks like you’re focused on [identify their goal – searching for a photographer, redesigning their website, etc.] and I’d love to show you how we can help you achieve your goals. 

We’ve been in business for [time range], with a specific focus on helping clients like you achieve [solution]. 

Let’s find time this week or next to connect. I’m excited to offer a free consultation to understand your needs and what we can do to help. Feel free to book the time that works for you! [link to your meeting scheduler]

Warmly, 

[Your name]

How to address your receiver

Nothing turns people off like “Hi there,” or “To whom it may concern.” These openers tell your reader two things:

  1. You don’t know who you’re trying to reach and
  2. You didn’t do your research

In most instances these days it’s good to address your client informally. This means not using “Mrs. or Mr.” Call them by their first name and leave the last name off. Keep it friendly and casual so they’re interested in your email without feeling pressured to respond.

In this fake scenario, Michel Andrews is a freelance writer with great copy and content on their site, but their design needs some serious work. An introduction email to this person could read like this:

“Hi there Michel,

I am reaching out because I saw your website on XYZ, and your content is stellar! I’m wondering, though, if you would be interested in some help with your branding. I’ve helped freelance writers like you transform landing pages from informational to experiential—here are some results from a few of my favorite projects:

Yxz.com

Fourfivesix.com

Seveneightnine.com

I have a background in visual studies from NYU and have instructed courses for Code Academy. 

Anyway, enough about me. Let me know if you’d be interested in some support and we can work out the details.

Talk soon,

Gabrielle

The Best Graphics Ever LLC”

If you’re unsure of your receiver’s pronouns, just refer to them by their professional title. Even if you can’t identify their pronouns by a work website, LinkedIn, or otherwise, you should be able to find out what they do for work. 

How to introduce yourself eloquently

Something to keep in mind when you’re writing an email to introduce yourself is that even though you’re introducing yourself, it isn’t about you. The introduction email to clients is about your prospective client and creating interest in your services. 

When you reach out to prospects you think would be good clients, make your opening line about why you’re reaching out to them. Then talk about why you’re a good fit that can solve their pain points. Why should they hire you? This is where you answer that question.

Detailing credentials isn’t about gloating about your success, either. It’s about highlighting how your achievements are compatible with the client’s needs. This is more than a resume drop; it’s a pamphlet in the form of your past that provides the answers to the client’s struggle.

How to outline the project (or propose the project)

Similar to when you introduce yourself when you propose your services it’s important to frame the service as a personal offering to the individual. Introduction emails are all about building relationships and mutual connections. You have three seconds to grip someone’s attention and pitch your idea. Try to keep your pitch condensed to two sentences. Make it punchy, personal, and engaging. Your second or third sentence should be a value proposition transition. 

Focus on the benefits of working with someone as skilled as yourself. What does the prospective client have to gain? Again, avoid sales-focused pitches. Show how the prospect will benefit from your services and why that benefit is important to them.

If you’re speaking to a client who’s already booked, welcome them warmly and direct them to the next steps. For instance, you might want to include your scheduler link so they can easily set up a kickoff call.

For booked clients, you may also want to let them in on the steps coming up in your client onboarding checklist. They don’t necessarily need the full list, but it can be helpful to give them the timeline from the kickoff call to the project start and any early milestones.

How to say goodbye in an introduction email

Extend a subtle invitation to connect once you’re ready to say goodbye. Mention that you’re free in the next few days and that the prospect can easily book time on your calendar with your meeting scheduler. You can also offer your contact information so they can reach out to you directly if they have more questions.

Thank the recipient for their time. Remember that they didn’t have to open your email—they chose to. Keep the close-out personal too by referring to the type of business they have. For example:

“Thank you again for your time and consideration, and I hope your freelance clients keep rolling in!”

When would you write an introduction email introducing two people (other than yourself?)

You may be asked to introduce people for a few reasons. The difference between writing your own introduction email and writing one for someone else is that you’re not selling your service anymore, you’re selling a relationship.

1. Your client roster is full and you can’t take on a new client

This is a good problem to have. If you have too many clients (or just the right amount) and a prospect is working on a deadline, it’s your opportunity to recommend a friend. Even if you can’t help a client, the next best way to support them is by sliding them into another independent business owner’s clientflow. Be sure it’s someone you trust, and remember, what goes around comes around.

2. You don’t offer the specific services a client inquired about

If you’re a graphic designer and the client inquired about website design, but you just do the visuals, not the build-out from the bottom up, it might be time to offer a strong referral for another independent. Fortunately, you know of a directory of HoneyBook Pros who can deliver on your prospect’s needs. If you can’t help them with your services, at least you can help them with a referral!

Introduction emails can be easy

Introduction emails are easy with email templates and customizable functionality. At HoneyBook, we’re all about efficient personalization. Never miss an opportunity to educate a potential client on your services. Don’t be afraid to cold email—once a prospective client is in your pipeline, you’ll sail smoothly with our customizable templates. Never fear, HoneyBook’s clientflow management platform is here.

Capture, qualify, and convert new leads

With HoneyBook’s all-in-one clientflow management platform, you can capture new business and book clients with less steps.

How to write a payment reminder email to get paid faster

payment reminder email

Navigating writing a payment reminder email can be intimidating. Here are some tips and templates to help you get paid and take work off your plate. 

Woman sending a payment reminder to clients that will get you paid

Payment reminder emails are tricky.

You have to maintain a balance of being polite enough to keep a great relationship with your client, but stern enough that your client feels a sense of urgency to pay you.

Whether your client is a week late or a month late on payments, we’re here to help you walk that tightrope.

In this article, we’ll start with some tips for politely asking a client for payment, and then we’ll provide email templates for every stage of the payment reminder process that will help you get paid faster.

Try automated payment reminders

Plug your payment reminder email into HoneyBook for automated reminders that get you paid on time.

Let’s start with some tips!

Jump to: 

You've seen it all when communicating with clients.

So we’ve compiled an email template for every type of correspondence.

1. Use a clear subject line

Make your client’s life easier by giving them all the information they need directly from your email’s subject line.

When writing your email subject line:

  • Use clear keywords like “Payment Reminder:” 
  • Include the invoice number
  • Include the payment date

Here’s what that looks like in action:

Subject: Payment Reminder: Invoice 1/3 – Due October 1

2. Refer to the invoice

Don’t make your client dig through their email history to find the invoice you’re reminding them to pay.

Re-attach the invoice to your email, or provide a link if you’re using an online invoice.

If you’re prone to forgetting to add attachments, attach the invoice before you type a single word, or use a system like HoneyBook that attaches the invoice file to each payment reminder email automatically!

3. Start with a polite introduction

You don’t want to come off as too cold. Start your email with a polite and personal introduction. This ensures that you’re sending a friendly reminder for payment. 

That can be as simple as greeting the client by name and then including a single line wishing them well.

For example:

Hi [Client name],

I hope you’re well!

It’s okay to use exclamation marks but try to use them sparingly.

Person working on a late payment reminder

4. Make the payment terms clear

The most important part of your email is to remind the client how much is due, and when the payment is (or was) due.

Don’t be vague: include the exact due date of the invoice and avoid making confusing statements like “due on receipt.” If you have to send multiple reminders, continue to update the timeline, whether it’s a day overdue, a week, or more. Doing so will help you document the late payment in case you need to refer back to your reminders.

For example:

Friendly reminder that Invoice #1, totaling $1,000, is 3 days overdue from its original October 1 due date. 

5. Include details on how to pay

While you may include payment details on the invoice itself, you should also include a clear call to action on how to pay in the email body.

For example:

Payment can be made via credit card, cash, or check.

Bonus tip: By using an online payment software like HoneyBook, you can give your clients a convenient link to pay directly from your payment reminder email.

6. Confirm receipt (optional)

If this isn’t your first reminder, you may want to use this opportunity to check with your client that they have actually received your invoice. 

Not only does it give you peace of mind, but it’s also a convenient way to shift the conversation to something other than “please pay me.”

For example:

Please confirm receipt of this invoice so we can make sure we have your correct contact information. 

If you’ve already received a reply to a previous email from the client, you could modify this section to ask your client when you should expect to receive payment.

7. Include consequences of late payment (optional)

If the payment is late, you may have to remind your client about your late payment policy. But unless the payment is really late, try not to sound too threatening.

For example:

As a reminder of our payment terms, a late fee of 5% will be applied for every week the overdue payment is not paid.

Other policies might include canceling the contract. You might not need to repeat your full late-payment policy, but be sure to remind your clients about any milestones that are coming up, such as halting services at a certain date or applying another late fee. 

Just keep in mind that you need to establish late payment terms at the start of your working relationship—ideally in an online contract. Otherwise, you can’t legally hold your clients to these policies. 

8. Keep the copy short and friendly

Payment reminder emails should stay friendly, professional, short, and informative.

Before sending your email, review it to ensure everything you say comes off as polite. Avoid using pronouns like “you,” as they can end up sounding accusatory in nature. Instead, use passive, positively framed language.

For example:

Don’t say: You have to pay me by October 1.

Say: Payment is due by October 1.

And don’t forget a nice sign-off in your email. Unless you’re getting ready to cancel a contract, you want to give your clients the benefit of the doubt and simply follow your late-payment policy. Up until they aren’t clients anymore, you still want to maintain a positive relationship.

9. Send at the right time

Try to send your payment reminder email at a time of day when your client is most likely to read it and action it.

For example, if your client works typical 9-to-5 office hours, don’t send your invoice reminders at 5 pm on a Friday. Send your emails first thing in the morning on Monday or Tuesday.

10. Take advantage of automated emails

Keeping track of which payments are late and how late can take up too much of your time. If you’re manually sending reminder emails, it’ll become tedious. 

Instead, use automated email reminders that you can set up for each client. Just because they’re automated doesn’t mean that they can’t be personalized. When you set up your email templates, you can still incorporate your friendly, natural tone. 

As soon as someone books with you just set up an automated workflow with reminders leading up to their payment and after their due dates (if they forget to pay). 

With a system like HoneyBook, you can include convenient dynamic fields like the client’s first name so each email is still personalized for them. 

Not only do you increase your chances of getting paid on time, but you can also spend less time writing emails.

When should you send payment reminder emails?

You may be wondering when and how many payment reminder emails you should send.

The exact number of emails and when you send them will vary based on your business and invoicing schedule, but it’s best to send reminder emails before the payment is due, on the due date, and after the payment due date (if necessary).

Here’s an example payment reminder email cadence:

  • Advanced reminder: sent a week or a few days before the due date
  • Due date email: sent on the due date
  • First late payment reminder: sent a week after the payment due date
  • Second late payment reminder: sent two weeks after the payment due date
  • Third late payment reminder: sent when the invoice is a month overdue

By keeping a predictable and regular payment reminder cadence, you’ll establish the professionalism and value of your business—showing your client that you take getting paid seriously.

3 examples of payment reminder emails

Here are some useful payment reminder email templates that will help you get paid faster. 

Payment reminder email in advance

Sending this email a week in advance is a great signal to your client that you expect to be paid on time. For your first payment reminder email, keep it polite, short, and informative.

Here’s how to write a great one-week reminder email:

Copy/paste template:

One-Week Reminder Email

Hi Maria,

I hope you’re doing well! This is a friendly reminder that invoice #1, totaling $1,000, is due for payment on October 1—one week from today.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the invoice or payment details.

Thank you,

Rick Roberts

In this email, you don’t need to be too aggressive. In this case, we didn’t attach the invoice or include payment details, as we assumed the client has this information and is prepared to pay on time.

Due date payment reminder email

It’s also advisable to send an email on the date the invoice is due. In this case, you still want to keep it friendly, but you should include more payment details.

Here’s an example of a payment reminder email on the payment due date:

Copy/paste template:

Due Date Reminder

Subject: Payment Reminder: Invoice #01 – Due Today

Hi Maria,

Good morning! I just wanted to remind you that invoice #1, totaling $1,000, is due for payment today (October 1). 

I’ve attached a copy of the invoice for your convenience. Payment can be made by direct deposit, bank transfer, or check.

Best wishes,

Rick Roberts

Because the client still hasn’t paid by the due date, you want to make it as easy as possible for them to pay you by providing the total balance, how to pay you, and the original invoice. But you can still keep the payment reminder message light and friendly because there’s still the chance that they’ll pay you when you send the email.

Late payment reminder email

Once the client has reached a week without paying you, you have the green light to shift to a firmer tone.

Here’s how to write a late payment reminder email:

Copy/paste template:

One-Week Reminder

Subject: Payment Reminder: Invoice #01 – One Week Overdue

Hi Maria,

I hope all is well. My records indicate that I have yet to receive payment for invoice #1, totaling $1,000. The invoice was due on October 1st, making it a week overdue.

I’ve reattached the invoice for your convenience. Payment can be made by direct deposit, bank transfer, or check.

Best wishes,

Rick Roberts

Once again, this past-due email example gives the client everything they need to know to be able to pay you. Note that it’s worded as “I have yet to receive payment,” neutralizing the issue of the late payment and not placing any blame on your client.

Get paid faster with the right tools

Getting paid on time isn’t just about successfully reminding your clients. It’s about setting the right terms in your contracts, offering an easy way to pay, and tracking payments seamlessly. You can do it on your own, or you can save time with a clientflow management platform. 

With a system like HoneyBook, you can create the best collateral for selling your services, send online invoices and contracts, and get paid through the click of a button.

Manage payments, schedule reminders, and much more

Manage your entire process of selling and delivering services with HoneyBook’s clientflow management platform.