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Reply to "no budget this year" with a clear, honest path
- For Sales and customer success
- You practice Giving the right context
- Time about 5 minutes
- Level Intermediate
About this exercise
A prospect says there is no budget left this year. Write a reply email, plain text under 90 words, subject line first, starting "Hi Laila,". Acknowledge it, offer the one option from the notes that fits (a contract that starts Jan 1 and is billed Jan 15), ask when next year's budget is set, and don't push for a signature this year. No discounts and no pressure. Sign off "Neil".
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Inventing a price rise. The AI says prices increase in January. Try: Add: "Don't say prices go up."
- Offering a discount. The AI sweetens the deal. Try: Add: "No discounts."
- Missing the option. The AI just says 'let's revisit'. Try: Add: "Offer the Jan 1 start with Jan 15 invoice."
- Long email. The AI writes a long pitch. Try: Add: "Plain text under 90 words, subject first."
What a strong prompt includes
- Sets the opener
- Acknowledges the constraint
- Offers the Jan option
- Asks about next year's budget
- Bans discounts and pressure
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