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Rewrite an angry late-payment email into a firm one

  • For Freelancers and creators
  • You practice Getting the tone right
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Beginner

About this exercise

You're Omar, a freelance designer, and you wrote an angry draft to a client whose invoice is late. Write a prompt that rewrites it: first line exactly "Subject: Invoice 2026-14, payment date needed by Nov 13", keep the invoice amount and original due date, say that Phase 2 work pauses until it's paid (section 4 of your contract), and drop every threat. No apology. Under 80 words.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • No subject line. The AI rewrites the body only and leaves the subject to you. Try: Give it word for word: first line "Subject: Invoice 2026-14, payment date needed by Nov 13".
  • Softening away the facts. Making it polite, the AI drops the amount, the due date, or what happens next. Try: Say: "Keep $3,200 and Oct 1, and say Phase 2 pauses until paid (contract section 4)."
  • Keeping a veiled threat. The AI tones down the lawyer and review lines but keeps a hint of them. Try: Add: "Remove every threat entirely, and don't apologize."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. Rewrites often end up as long as the original. Try: Ask for "under 60 words, 3 short sentences", plain text.

What a strong prompt includes

  • Gives the subject line
  • Keeps the facts
  • States the consequence
  • Removes threats
  • Sets length

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