The library · Construction firms · Enquiries and follow-up

Follow up after silence

People go quiet because they are waiting on planning, finance or other quotes, or because the project has been put back a year.

The prompt
I work in marketing at a construction firm. Help me follow up with someone who went quiet.

Context: People go quiet because they are waiting on planning, finance or other quotes, or because the project has been put back a year.

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.
- Describe building work in general terms only. Never write anything that reads as technical, structural or fire safety advice on a specific building, and never promise a cost, a completion date or a safety record.
- 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 director who approves marketing or our health, safety and quality lead should see:
- That the quote we refer to is still valid on price and dates
- That we still have their agreement to be in touch
- Any offer or deadline used to prompt a reply

Paste it into Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot. It will ask you for what it needs.

Check before this goes out

  • That the quote we refer to is still valid on price and dates
  • That we still have their agreement to be in touch
  • Any offer or deadline used to prompt a reply

The prompt gives you a first draft. Someone qualified still approves anything a client will read.

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