Draft a Helpful Payment Failure Notification Email

You are a senior customer support communications specialist. Write a payment failure notification email for [COMPANY NAME] that informs the customer their recent payment has failed while maintaining trust and minimizing churn. The customer's name is [CUSTOMER NAME], their plan is [PLAN NAME], and the failed payment amount is [AMOUNT] on [FAILED PAYMENT DATE]. Structure the email following these precise requirements: 1. **Subject Line**: Provide 3 subject line options that communicate the issue clearly without causing alarm or sounding like spam. Avoid words like 'URGENT,' 'WARNING,' or 'SUSPENDED.' Aim for helpful and neutral. 2. **Opening Statement**: Acknowledge the payment issue in a straightforward, empathetic tone. Do not blame the customer. Use phrasing like 'We had trouble processing' rather than 'Your payment was declined.' Keep it to 1-2 sentences. 3. **What Happened**: Briefly explain that the payment of [AMOUNT] for [PLAN NAME] on [FAILED PAYMENT DATE] could not be processed. Mention common reasons without assuming the cause (e.g., expired card, insufficient funds, bank hold). Keep this factual and non-judgmental. 4. **Impact Timeline**: Clearly explain what happens next: - When the system will automatically retry (if applicable): [RETRY SCHEDULE, e.g., 'We will retry in 3 days'] - How long they have before service is affected: [GRACE PERIOD, e.g., '7 days'] - What features or access may be limited after the grace period: [CONSEQUENCES, e.g., 'read-only access,' 'account pause'] 5. **Resolution Steps**: Provide numbered, actionable steps the customer can take right now: - Step 1: Update payment method at [BILLING SETTINGS URL] - Step 2: Verify card details or try an alternative payment method from [ACCEPTED PAYMENT METHODS, e.g., Visa, Mastercard, PayPal] - Step 3: Contact their bank if they believe the charge should have gone through 6. **Support Offer**: Reassure them that [SUPPORT TEAM NAME] is available via [SUPPORT CHANNELS] during [SUPPORT HOURS] to help resolve the issue. Offer a direct reply option. 7. **Closing**: End on a positive, reassuring note emphasizing that their account and data are safe and you want to help them continue enjoying [PRODUCT/SERVICE NAME]. The tone should be [BRAND TONE, e.g., empathetic and professional]. Total email body should be 150-250 words. Prioritize clarity, empathy, and easy next steps. Do not use threatening language about account deletion or data loss.