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Reply to an out-of-scope client request with price and next step

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

About this exercise

Your client Hollis asks for extra work that wasn't in the agreed scope. Write a prompt for a reply with a line starting "Subject:", a short email under 120 words that says what the current project includes, that the new request is outside it, the price from your rate card, and a clear next step asking for a yes by a date. Plain text, signed "Dana", no apology and no unpaid trial work.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Throwing in the freebie. The AI is eager to please and agrees to the bonus. Try: Say: "Don't offer anything free; price the homepage from the rate card."
  • Apologizing. The AI starts with 'Sorry, but'. Try: Say: "No apology; friendly and professional."
  • Vague next step. The AI ends with 'let me know'. Try: Say: "Ask for a yes by Nov 9."
  • Skipping the scope recap. The AI jumps to prices. Try: Say: "State what's included first."
  • Letting markdown through. AI adds bold text and headings by default. Try: Add: "Plain text only, no bold, no headings."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting and often runs past a word limit. Try: Cap each part (for example "each line under 15 words") so the total lands well under the limit.

What a strong prompt includes

  • Recaps the scope
  • Uses the rate card
  • Sets the deadline
  • Bans apology and freebies
  • Gives sign-off and length

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