The prompt
Score 10 of 10, Excellent
Use it when You need a polite chaser that gets an answer without sounding passive-aggressive.
- {{recipient}}
- {{waiting}}
- {{what_i_need}}
- {{why_it_matters}}
- {{original_message}}
Full prompt and why it works
Prompt
Write a short follow-up to someone who has not replied to my earlier message. I want an answer, and I want to keep a good relationship with them. To: {{recipient}} How long I have waited, and how many times I have already followed up: {{waiting}} What I need from them: {{what_i_need}} Why the timing matters (a real date or dependency): {{why_it_matters}} My earlier message: """ {{original_message}} """ How to write it: - Assume they are busy, not ignoring me. It goes in the same thread, so it does not need to repeat the earlier message. - Restate the ask in one line, so they can answer without scrolling down. - Make it easy to answer: a yes or no, a choice between two options, or "who should I ask instead?" - Give the real reason for the timing, using only what I said above. Do not create false urgency. - If this is the second or a later follow-up, offer a smaller step, such as a 10-minute call or a partial answer. If I gave a default, state it once, for example "If I don't hear back by Friday, I'll go ahead with option B." - 40 to 90 words of plain text, with no bullet points. Avoid "just checking in", "bumping this", "per my last email", "as I mentioned", apologizing for following up, guilt and sarcasm. These read as passive-aggressive and make a reply less likely. Give me two versions, each with a subject line in case I start a new thread: 1. Friendly: light and brief. 2. Firmer: still polite, with the deadline and the effect of no reply stated plainly. If my notes do not say what I need from them or by when, ask me before writing, because a nudge without a clear ask usually gets another non-reply.
Variables
- {{recipient}}
- Who they are and your relationship, for example "a supplier's account manager".
- {{waiting}}
- For example "one week, no follow-up yet" or "three weeks, followed up once".
- {{what_i_need}}
- The exact answer or action you need, and any default you will go ahead with if they stay silent.
- {{why_it_matters}}
- The real reason for the timing, for example "the order must be placed by the 20th".
- {{original_message}}
- The message they have not answered.
Why it works
- What to avoid. It rules out the stock chaser phrases and says why: they read as passive-aggressive and make a reply less likely.
- What good looks like. A good nudge is one the reader can answer in a word, so the ask is restated in one line and turned into a yes or no or a simple choice.
- Format. Two versions, friendly and firmer, let you choose how hard to push without rewriting it yourself.