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Answer a reference request when you have no matching customer
- For Sales and customer success
- You practice Keeping the AI to your sources
- Time about 5 minutes
- Level Intermediate
About this exercise
Hollis Veterinary Group asked for a reference from another veterinary practice. You don't have one. Write a plain-text reply from Nadia under 100 words that says so plainly, offers the dental reference and the published dental case study, and asks whether that would help. Do not mention the animal hospital pilot or imply any veterinary results.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Hinting at the pilot. The AI mentions 'a veterinary customer we're working with'. Try: Add: "Do not mention the pilot or imply veterinary results."
- Hedging the no. The AI says 'we're building our veterinary references'. Try: Add: "Say plainly that there is no live veterinary customer to refer."
- Promising the intro. The AI says 'I'll connect you with Colin' without asking him first. Try: Add: "Say the intro goes through Nadia, who asks Colin first."
- Long email. The AI writes several paragraphs with bold text. Try: Add: "Plain text, under 100 words."
What a strong prompt includes
- States the no
- Offers the dental reference
- Includes case study
- Leaves out the pilot
- Ends with one question
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