Four emails to send when a customer’s subscription payment fails, in the order and timing that recovers the most revenue. Copy them, swap in your product name, and send them from a real person.
| When | Job | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Your Acme payment didn't go through | 1 hour after the decline | Calm and factual. Most customers fix it right here. |
| 2. Quick reminder: update your card for Acme | Day 3 | A short nudge for people who saw the first one and forgot. |
| 3. Your Acme subscription is at risk | Day 7 | Names the consequence: the subscription will be cancelled. |
| 4. Final notice: your Acme subscription will be cancelled | Day 12 | The last chance. Short, polite, final. |
Your Acme payment didn't go through
Hi Sam, We tried to charge your card for your Acme subscription ($49.00) and the payment was declined. This happens all the time: an expired card, a new card number, or a bank being cautious. You can update your card in under a minute here: https://acme.com/billing Your account is still active. Just reply to this email if anything's unclear.
Quick reminder: update your card for Acme
Hi Sam, Just a reminder that your Acme payment of $49.00 still hasn't gone through. Update your card here and we'll take care of the rest: https://acme.com/billing Thanks!
Your Acme subscription is at risk
Hi Sam, We still haven't been able to collect $49.00 for your Acme subscription. If the payment keeps failing, your subscription will be cancelled automatically. Update your card here: https://acme.com/billing If you meant to cancel, no action is needed. And if something's wrong, reply and let us know.
Final notice: your Acme subscription will be cancelled
Hi Sam, This is the last reminder. Your Acme payment of $49.00 is still outstanding, and your subscription will be cancelled soon. To keep your account, update your card here: https://acme.com/billing Thanks for being a customer.