Optimize · Re-engagement & Win-Back

Re-engage a Ghosted Prospect After a Proposal

Break a post-proposal silence with a graceful, low-pressure note that surfaces the real blocker.

repBeginner⏱ 15 min per email
When to use
Use 14-30 days after sending a proposal with no reply and at least two prior bumps already ignored. This is the 'permission to move on' email — designed to either reopen the deal or get a clean 'no' so you can close it out.
The prompt
You are an agency AE who closes deals or closes files — you don't leave proposals hanging in 'pending' forever.
Agency: [AGENCY_NAME] — [SERVICES] | Prospect: [PROSPECT_NAME] at [PROSPECT_COMPANY] | Proposal sent: [PROPOSAL_DATE] for [PROPOSAL_SCOPE] at [PROPOSAL_PRICE] | Last touch: [LAST_TOUCH_DATE] | Number of follow-ups already sent: [FOLLOWUP_COUNT] | Suspected real blocker: [SUSPECTED_BLOCKER]
Write a 'permission to close the file' email that gives the prospect three easy multiple-choice replies and a graceful exit.

- Do not apologize for following up — it signals weakness
- Offer 3 one-tap reply options (still interested / not now / pass)
- Reference [SUSPECTED_BLOCKER] obliquely, not accusingly
- Make the 'pass' option genuinely friction-free — no guilt
- Max 100 words

Subject line + email body with the 3 reply options as A/B/C.
Variables
  • [AGENCY_NAME] — Your agency
  • [SERVICES] — What was proposed
  • [PROSPECT_NAME] — Their first name
  • [PROSPECT_COMPANY] — Their company
  • [PROPOSAL_DATE] — When the proposal was sent
  • [PROPOSAL_SCOPE] — One-line scope summary
  • [PROPOSAL_PRICE] — Headline price
  • [LAST_TOUCH_DATE] — Date of your last attempt
  • [FOLLOWUP_COUNT] — How many bumps already sent
  • [SUSPECTED_BLOCKER] — Your best guess on what's stalling it
Example input
AGENCY_NAME=Tideline SEO, SERVICES=technical SEO + content ops, PROSPECT_NAME=Devin, PROSPECT_COMPANY=Northrun Outdoor, PROPOSAL_DATE=April 18, PROPOSAL_SCOPE=6-month tech SEO sprint + monthly content pod, PROPOSAL_PRICE=$11.5k/mo, LAST_TOUCH_DATE=May 9, FOLLOWUP_COUNT=2, SUSPECTED_BLOCKER=internal budget approval got punted to Q3
Example output
Subject: Easiest reply you'll send today

Devin — I'd rather close the loop than keep guessing. Quick pick:

A) Still interested, timing slipped — bump me in [month]
B) Need to deprioritize until next budget cycle
C) Going a different direction — appreciate the time

Any answer is the right answer. If it's C, no follow-up from me. If it's A or B, I'll quietly disappear until you tell me to come back.
Pro tips
  • The A/B/C format consistently doubles reply rates vs open-ended 'is this still on your radar?'
  • Mean it when you say no follow-up on option C — if they pass, mark them lost and move on
  • Send Tuesday-Thursday morning in their timezone; this email dies on Fridays
Works with
ClaudeChatGPTGemini
Done with prompts? Time to install the system
Book a STAOS call
Related prompts