billing series

Direct mail promotion campaign that attempts to collect payment for goods delivered prior to payment, as in the case of a magazine subscription or a catalog order. The copy on each effort in a billing series is progressively harsher in tone. The first effort usually thanks the buyer for his order and gently invites him to pay. The last effort is colloquially termed a "pay or die" message. At the conclusion of the billing series, the unpaid accounts are turned over to a collection agent or written off as bad-debt expense. See also acknowledgment; renewal series.