{"id":"sales-reference-request-customer-email","audience":"sales","category":"sales-work","technique":"context","track":"sales","level":"intermediate","title":"Ask a happy customer to be a reference without pressure","free":false,"task":"Write an email asking Victor at Granite Peak Builders to act as a reference. Plain text under 110 words, subject line first. State exactly what you're asking (two 20-minute calls over the next 60 days, with prospects in construction, scheduled around his calendar), say no gift or payment is offered, and give him an easy way to say no. Do not mention that the request is tied to renewal pricing.","materialLabel":"Account context (attached to your prompt automatically)","material":"Customer: Granite Peak Builders (construction, 85 employees). Contact: Victor Amaya, operations director. CSM: Priscilla.\nHealth: renewing Mar 2027; used the platform for 18 months; NPS response last quarter: 10.\nVictor said on a Sept call: \"This saved us about three days a month on payroll prep.\" (verbal; not cleared for marketing use)\n\nReference program rules:\n- Up to 2 calls per customer per year, 20 minutes each, scheduled by the CSM.\n- No gifts, discounts or credits for participation.\n- References are never promised a timeline for calls; prospects are only matched to customers in the same industry.\n- Don't imply the reference affects renewal terms (internal rule).\n\nPriscilla's note: \"Victor is busy in spring; best to ask now for calls before the end of Jan.\"","rules":[{"type":"maxWords","max":110},{"type":"plainText"}],"mistakes":[{"title":"Tying it to renewal","why":"The AI mentions the March renewal as leverage.","fix":"Add: \"Do not mention renewal or pricing.\"","checks":["r2"]},{"title":"Sweetening the ask","why":"The AI offers a gift card or discount.","fix":"Add: \"State that no gift or credit is offered.\"","checks":["r1"]},{"title":"Vague ask","why":"The AI says 'a few calls sometime'.","fix":"Add: \"Specify two 20-minute calls and the timeframe.\"","checks":["r0"]},{"title":"No easy exit","why":"The AI doesn't let him decline.","fix":"Add: \"Give an easy way to say no.\"","checks":["r1","maxWords","plainText"]}],"promptHints":[{"label":"Specifies the ask","patterns":["two","20.minute","calls"]},{"label":"States no incentive","patterns":["no gift","no (credit|discount)","not (offering|offer)"]},{"label":"Gives an easy no","patterns":["easy way","say no","no problem"]},{"label":"Avoids renewal talk","patterns":["renewal","pricing","don.t mention"]},{"label":"Sets form and length","patterns":["subject","plain text","under \\d+"]}],"hint":"Spell out the ask, say there is no incentive and give an easy way to decline.","rubricLabels":["Line 1 starts with \"Subject:\" and the email asks for up to two 20-minute reference calls with construction prospects","States that no gift, discount or credit is offered and gives Victor an easy way to decline","Does not mention renewal or pricing, and does not quote the three-days-saved comment as a promised marketing claim"]}