The library · Law firms · Enquiries and follow-up

Follow up after silence

People go quiet because the problem eased, the cost worried them or another firm replied first.

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

Context: People go quiet because the problem eased, the cost worried them or another firm replied first.

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 legal information only. Never write anything that reads as advice on a person's own situation, and never suggest an outcome 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 our compliance officer or the partner who approves marketing should see:
- Any time limit on their matter that we should not ignore or misstate
- That we still have their agreement to be in touch
- Fees quoted

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

Check before this goes out

  • Any time limit on their matter that we should not ignore or misstate
  • That we still have their agreement to be in touch
  • Fees quoted

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

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