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Ask an investor for introductions without inflating your numbers

  • For Executives
  • You practice Setting limits and rules
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Intermediate

About this exercise

Write an email to an existing investor asking for two specific introductions. Plain text, under 120 words, subject first. Include exactly two figures from the notes (use the corrected ones), name the two target companies, say what you want from each meeting in one phrase, and end with a line offering a 2-sentence blurb they can forward. Do not use the words rocket, hypergrowth or crushing it, and make no claims beyond the notes.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Using the inflated ARR. The AI uses $1.5M. Try: Say: "ARR is $1.3M (live)."
  • Hinting at a raise. The AI says 'as we plan our next round'. Try: Say: "We are not raising; don't hint at it."
  • Too many metrics. The AI lists everything. Try: Say: "Use exactly two figures."
  • No blurb offer. The AI ends with 'Thanks'. Try: Say: "End with an offer of a 2-sentence blurb."
  • Markdown. The AI uses bold and bullets. Try: Say: "Plain text."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total word limit and it often lands over it. Try: Cap each sentence: "each sentence under 22 words."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total word limit and it often lands over it. Try: Cap each part instead, for example: "each line under 12 words."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Subject
  • Two figures
  • Names targets
  • Blurb
  • Bans

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