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Tell a vendor exactly when they'll be paid
Practice: Keeping the AI to your sources. About 5 minutes.
About this exercise
A vendor emailed asking where their payment is. Reply in at most 4 sentences. The first sentence gives the exact payment date and method, explain the payment terms using the date you received the invoice, and give the remittance email for future questions. No vague 'processing' language and no apology. Write a prompt that gets that reply.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Not limiting the length. The AI writes a long, apologetic letter about invoice workflows. Try: Be exact: "At most 4 sentences."
- Vague timing. AI replies say "your payment is being processed" instead of a date. Try: Say it: "Sentence 1: A-2231 will be paid by ACH on Friday, Nov 14."
- Accepting the wrong start date. The vendor counts from Oct 1. The AI may agree the payment is late. Try: Add: "Net 30 runs from when we received it, Oct 15."
- Apologizing and promising more. To smooth things over, the AI apologizes or offers early payment. Try: Add: "No apology, no early payment. Give ap@lindellmedical.example."
What a strong prompt includes
- Limits the sentences
- Gives the exact date
- Explains the terms
- Includes the AP email
- Bans vague or sorry
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