Key Takeaways
- Organized by sales stage so you can find the right prompt for where you are in the deal cycle right now
- Every prompt uses role prompting, context loading, or iteration, since those are the three that do the real work in sales writing
- Before-and-after pairs show why specific, context-rich prompts produce better output than generic requests
- Reusable template format with placeholder variables lets you adapt every prompt to your specific prospects and deals
- The prompts work across any AI tool — ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or any platform your organization provides
How to Use These Prompts
Every prompt below uses placeholder variables in brackets — [PROSPECT_NAME], [COMPANY], [INDUSTRY], etc. Replace the placeholders with your specific details before using the prompt. The more specific your replacements, the better the output.
Use each prompt as a starting point. Treat the first output as a draft and iterate with follow-up messages to refine tone, length, and specificity. Two to three rounds usually produce output that is ready to send or present.
Prospecting Prompts
Research brief for a new prospect
Template
Summarize what I need to know about [COMPANY] before reaching out to [PROSPECT_NAME], their [TITLE]. Focus on: recent company news, likely pain points for their [INDUSTRY] vertical, and potential entry points for a conversation about [YOUR_PRODUCT_CATEGORY]. Keep it under 200 words and prioritize information I can reference in a cold outreach.
Cold email — first touch
Template
Write a cold email to [PROSPECT_NAME], [TITLE] at [COMPANY]. They are in [INDUSTRY] and recently [RECENT_NEWS_OR_TRIGGER]. Our product helps [INDUSTRY] companies [VALUE_PROPOSITION]. Keep it under 120 words. Open with something specific to their situation, not a generic introduction. End with a question that references their business, not a request for a meeting. Tone: professional but not stiff.
Before: "Write a cold email to a VP of Sales about our product."
After: The prompt above. It points to the prospect's situation, their industry, and a specific trigger event, which is usually enough to get the thing opened.
Generic prompts read like anyone could have sent them; specific ones read like they were written for the recipient.
LinkedIn connection request message
Template
Write a LinkedIn connection message to [PROSPECT_NAME] at [COMPANY]. Maximum 300 characters. Reference [SHARED_CONTEXT — mutual connection, same industry event, their recent post about X]. Do not pitch. Make it about something we have in common, not about what I sell.
Cold call opening script
Template
Write a 30-second cold call opening for [PROSPECT_NAME] at [COMPANY]. They are [TITLE] in [INDUSTRY]. The call's purpose is to explore whether [PAIN_POINT] is a current priority. Do not start with "How are you?" Start with a reference to [TRIGGER_EVENT] and quickly state why I am calling. Include a permission-based question to continue the conversation.
Discovery Prompts
Pre-call discovery preparation
Template
I have a discovery call with [PROSPECT_NAME] at [COMPANY] tomorrow. They are in [INDUSTRY], have [COMPANY_SIZE] employees, and their initial interest was in [STATED_INTEREST]. Generate 10 discovery questions organized by: current situation, pain points, desired outcomes, and decision process. Make each question open-ended and specific to their context.
Post-discovery summary
Template
Summarize this discovery call for my CRM notes. Attendees: [NAMES]. Key findings: [BULLET POINTS OF WHAT YOU LEARNED]. Categorize the notes as: qualified needs, objections or concerns raised, decision criteria mentioned, next steps agreed, and open questions to follow up on. Keep it factual — no interpretation.
Buyer persona simulation
Template
You are [PROSPECT_NAME], [TITLE] at [COMPANY], a [INDUSTRY] company with [COMPANY_SIZE] employees. Your company is dealing with [KNOWN_CHALLENGES]. I am going to pitch you on [YOUR_PRODUCT]. Respond as this buyer would — with their likely objections, questions, and concerns. Be realistic, not encouraging.
Follow-Up Prompts
Post-meeting follow-up email
Template
Write a follow-up email after my meeting with [PROSPECT_NAME] at [COMPANY]. Key discussion points: [SUMMARY]. We agreed on these next steps: [NEXT_STEPS]. The tone should be professional and action-oriented. Reference something specific from the conversation to show I was paying attention. Under 200 words.
Reengagement email for stalled deals
Template
Write a reengagement email to [PROSPECT_NAME] at [COMPANY]. We last spoke [TIME_FRAME] ago about [TOPIC]. The deal stalled because [REASON_IF_KNOWN]. I want to restart the conversation without being pushy. Reference [NEW_DEVELOPMENT — new feature, industry trend, their recent news] as the reason for reaching out. Under 150 words.
Multi-touch follow-up sequence
Template
Create a 4-email follow-up sequence for [PROSPECT_NAME] at [COMPANY] after an initial positive meeting. Email 1 (day 1): thank you with summary. Email 2 (day 4): share a relevant resource or case study. Email 3 (day 8): reference a specific pain point discussed and how we address it. Email 4 (day 14): direct ask for next step. Each email under 120 words. Tone progression: warm, then helpful, then specific, then direct.
Proposal and Presentation Prompts
Proposal executive summary
Template
Write the executive summary for a proposal to [COMPANY]. Their primary challenge is [PAIN_POINT]. Our solution addresses this by [VALUE_PROPOSITION]. The expected outcome is [EXPECTED_RESULT]. Key differentiators vs. their current approach: [DIFFERENTIATORS]. Keep it under 300 words. Tone: confident, specific, and focused on their outcomes rather than our features.
Competitive positioning statement
Template
Write a positioning statement that differentiates our [PRODUCT] from [COMPETITOR] for [PROSPECT_NAME] at [COMPANY]. Their evaluation criteria are [CRITERIA]. Our strengths relative to this competitor: [STRENGTHS]. Their strengths: [THEIR_STRENGTHS]. Be honest about trade-offs — do not dismiss the competitor. Focus on why our strengths matter more for this specific buyer's situation.
Pricing justification narrative
Template
Write a pricing justification for [PROSPECT_NAME] who has expressed concern about the [PRICE_POINT] for [PRODUCT]. Frame the value in terms of: [VALUE_METRIC_1], [VALUE_METRIC_2], and [VALUE_METRIC_3]. Include a comparison to the cost of not addressing [PAIN_POINT]. Tone: factual and confident, not defensive.
Objection Handling Prompts
Objection response preparation
Template
Generate responses to the 5 most common objections for [PRODUCT] in [INDUSTRY]. For each objection, provide: the objection statement, the underlying concern behind it, a 2-3 sentence response, and a follow-up question to move the conversation forward. Focus on objections related to [SPECIFIC_AREAS — price, implementation, switching costs, ROI].
Specific objection response
Template
The prospect said: "[EXACT_OBJECTION]". Context: they are [TITLE] at [COMPANY] in [INDUSTRY]. Our product is [PRODUCT]. Write a response that acknowledges their concern, addresses it with a specific proof point or reframe, and ends with a question that keeps the conversation moving. Under 100 words. Do not be dismissive of their concern.
Deal Review Prompts
Deal analysis and next steps
Template
Analyze this deal and recommend next steps. Account: [COMPANY]. Stage: [STAGE]. Key stakeholders: [STAKEHOLDERS AND ROLES]. Qualified needs: [NEEDS]. Objections raised: [OBJECTIONS]. Competitive situation: [COMPETITORS IN PLAY]. Timeline: [TIMELINE]. What are the three biggest risks to closing this deal, and what specific actions should I take this week to advance it?
Win/loss analysis template
Template
Create a structured win/loss analysis for the [COMPANY] deal. Outcome: [WON/LOST]. Key factors: [WHAT_INFLUENCED_THE_DECISION]. What we did well: [STRENGTHS]. Where we fell short: [WEAKNESSES]. What the competitor did differently: [COMPETITOR_APPROACH]. Lessons for future deals in [INDUSTRY]: [PATTERNS]. Keep it factual, not emotional.
These prompts run on a few core techniques: role prompting to play the buyer, context loading to personalize, iteration to tighten a rough draft, and decomposition when a deal has too many moving parts for one prompt. The Practical Prompting Academy teaches all of them across its curriculum. For AI courses for sales professionals, the same techniques get worked out against your specific role in more depth. For AI prompts for operations, the template approach carries over to a different set of workflows.
How to use AI for your job covers additional workflows beyond sales, including project management, research, and document creation.