The library · Accountancy firms · Enquiries and follow-up
Follow up after silence
People go quiet because the deadline felt far away, the fee worried them or their current accountant talked them round. A filing date is often the honest reason to write again.
The prompt
I work in marketing at an accountancy firm. Help me follow up with someone who went quiet. Context: People go quiet because the deadline felt far away, the fee worried them or their current accountant talked them round. A filing date is often the honest reason to write again. Before you start, ask me for anything missing from this list: - The original enquiry and our reply - How long ago - Anything new that is useful to them Then: 1. Give a reason for writing that helps them. 2. Ask one easy question. 3. Write a final note that closes the loop politely. Give me: - A first follow-up - A final follow-up Rules: - Use only the facts I give you. Where something is missing, write [detail needed]. Never invent a number, a name, a quote or a source. - Give general information only. Never write anything that reads as tax advice on a person's own affairs, and never suggest a tax saving or an outcome with HMRC is likely or guaranteed. - Write in plain English, in our voice if I have given you a sample. - Do not tell me what the rules or regulations say. If something may be restricted, flag it and I will check. Finish with a list headed "Check before this goes out". Include these, plus anything else the partner who approves marketing or our ethics and compliance lead should see: - Any deadline mentioned, checked for their type of return - That we still have their agreement to be in touch - Fees quoted, and how long the quote stands
Paste it into Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot. It will ask you for what it needs.
Check before this goes out
- Any deadline mentioned, checked for their type of return
- That we still have their agreement to be in touch
- Fees quoted, and how long the quote stands
The prompt gives you a first draft. Someone qualified still approves anything a client will read.
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