Follow-up email when they have not replied

Nudge someone who went quiet without sounding pushy, with a new reason to respond and an easy way out.

Change note: Initial version

Prompt

Write a follow-up email to someone who has not replied to my earlier message.

Context of my first message: {{original_context}}
Time since I sent it: {{days_since}} days
Recipient and our relationship: {{relationship}}
What I still need from them: {{need}}
Follow-up number: {{follow_up_number}}
Tone: {{tone}}

Rules:
- Keep it under 80 words.
- Do not apologise for "bumping" or "checking in" and do not guilt-trip.
- Add something new: a useful detail, a deadline that matters, or a simpler version of the ask.
- Make replying effortless, ideally answerable in one line, and offer a polite way to say no or redirect me.
- Match the stated tone.

Output format: two versions, labelled "Version A (light touch)" and "Version B (more direct)", each with a subject line and body. Then one line saying which I should send given the follow-up number.

Variables

• {{original_context}}What you sent firstlong

  Default: I proposed a guest article swap between our two newsletters and attached three topic ideas.

• {{days_since}}Days sincenumber

  Default: 6

• {{relationship}}Who they aretext

  Default: An editor I have met once at a conference

• {{need}}What you needtext

  Default: A yes or no on the article swap

• {{follow_up_number}}Follow-up numberselect

  Options: First, Second, Final

  Default: First

• {{tone}}Toneselect

  Options: Warm and professional, Direct and concise, Friendly and casual, Formal, Confident and persuasive, Empathetic

  Default: Friendly and casual

Example output

Version A (light touch)
Subject: Re: Newsletter swap

Hi Maya,

Quick one: if the swap works for you, which of the three topics would you pick? A one-word answer is enough. If the timing is off, just say so and I will leave it with you.

Thanks,
Sam

Version B (more direct)
Subject: Newsletter swap, can we lock a date?

Hi Maya,

I am planning my June issues this week and would like to hold a slot for you. Could you tell me yes or no by Friday? If it is a no, that is completely fine.

Thanks,
Sam

Recommendation: send Version A for a first follow-up. It lowers the effort of replying and keeps the tone friendly.

Notes

Giving a deadline that is real (like a planning date) works far better than invented urgency. Pick Final to get a gracious close-the-loop message.