AI Prompts for Sales Teams: Outreach, Proposals & Follow-ups (2026)
40+ AI prompts designed for sales professionals. Generate cold outreach, write proposals, create follow-up sequences, and handle objections with these tested prompts for ChatGPT and Claude.
# AI Prompts for Sales Teams: Outreach, Proposals & Follow-ups (2026)
Sales is a numbers game—but it is also a time game. The rep who personalizes every outreach message wins. But personalizing at scale is impossible without help.
AI changes what is possible. With the right prompts, you can personalize cold emails in seconds, draft proposals in minutes, and create follow-up sequences that feel human.
This guide provides 40+ AI prompts specifically designed for sales work. Each prompt produces professional output you can actually send to prospects.
---
How to Use These Prompts
---
Cold Outreach Prompts
1. Personalized Cold Email
``
Write a personalized cold email for this prospect:
Prospect info:
- Name: [name]
- Title: [title]
- Company: [company]
- Company description: [what they do]
- Something notable: [recent news, LinkedIn post, company achievement]
The email should:
- Be under 150 words
- Reference the notable item naturally
- Connect their situation to what I offer
- Have a clear, low-friction CTA
- Sound human, not salesy
2. LinkedIn Connection Request
`
Write a LinkedIn connection request for this prospect:
Prospect: [name, title, company]
Why I want to connect: [honest reason]
Common ground: [shared connection, industry, interest]
What I sell: [brief description]
The message should:
- Be under 300 characters (LinkedIn limit)
- NOT pitch anything
- Mention the common ground
- Give a reason to accept
- Sound genuinely interested in connecting
`
3. Cold Call Opening Script
`
Write a cold call opening script for this scenario:
Prospect type: [title/role]
Industry: [industry]
Pain point I address: [main problem]
My product: [brief description]
Create a 30-second opening that:
Gets past "I'm not interested"
Creates curiosity
Asks permission to continue
Does not sound scripted
Include:
- Pattern interrupt opener
- Brief credibility statement
- Permission-based transition
- 2-3 qualifying questions to ask if they give permission
`
4. Video Prospecting Script
`
Write a script for a personalized video message to a prospect:
Prospect: [name, title, company]
Why they should care: [relevant reason]
What I noticed about them: [personalization element]
My ask: [meeting, demo, etc.]
Script should:
- Be 45-60 seconds when spoken
- Start with personalization
- Get to the point quickly
- Include one compelling insight
- End with clear CTA
Mark where to [SHOW SCREEN] if applicable.
`
5. Follow-up After No Response
`
Write follow-up emails for a prospect who has not responded:
Original outreach: [summary of what you sent]
Time since last contact: [days/weeks]
Prospect: [name, title, company]
Write a 3-email follow-up sequence:
Email 1 (3 days later):
- Brief, adds new value
- Different angle than original
Email 2 (7 days later):
- Shares relevant insight or resource
- Positions you as helpful, not pushy
Email 3 (14 days later):
- Breakup email
- Leaves door open
- Creates sense of closure
Each email under 100 words. No guilt-tripping.
`
6. Referral Request
`
Write an email asking for a referral:
Who I'm asking: [existing customer/connection name]
Their relationship to me: [customer, contact, etc.]
What I sell: [product/service]
Who I want introductions to: [ideal prospect profile]
Recent success: [relevant result or milestone]
The email should:
- Thank them genuinely
- Make the ask specific (not "anyone you know")
- Make it easy to say yes
- Provide email template they can use
- Not be pushy
`
---
Email Sequence Prompts
7. Cold Email Sequence
`
Create a 5-email cold outreach sequence:
Target prospect: [title/role]
Industry: [industry]
Pain points: [what they struggle with]
My solution: [what I sell]
CTA: [meeting/demo/call]
For each email:
- Email number and send timing
- Subject line
- Body (under 150 words)
- CTA
Emails should:
Open with problem/curiosity
Follow up with social proof
Provide value (insight or resource)
Share case study or result
Breakup email
Make each email standalone (they may not read previous ones).
`
8. Nurture Sequence
`
Create a nurture email sequence for leads not ready to buy:
Lead type: [who they are]
Where they came from: [source]
Their likely pain points: [problems]
Our solution: [what we sell]
Timeline to buying: [typical sales cycle]
Create a 6-email sequence over 8 weeks:
For each email:
- Timing (days from sign-up)
- Subject line
- Email focus (educate, inspire, case study, etc.)
- Body (150-200 words)
- Soft CTA
Goal: Stay top of mind, build trust, identify when ready.
`
9. Re-engagement Sequence
`
Create a re-engagement sequence for cold leads:
Lead type: [who they are]
Last interaction: [what happened]
Time since contact: [how long]
What they were interested in: [if known]
What has changed: [new features, results, etc.]
Create a 3-email sequence:
"We have not forgotten you" with value add
Share what is new/improved
Final attempt with compelling offer or insight
Each email should:
- Acknowledge the time gap
- Not be apologetic or guilty
- Provide real value
- Have clear CTA
`
---
Proposal and Presentation Prompts
10. Sales Proposal Outline
`
Create a sales proposal outline:
Prospect: [company name]
Contact: [name, title]
Their problem: [what they are trying to solve]
Our solution: [what we are proposing]
Competitors considered: [if known]
Budget: [if known]
Timeline: [if known]
Include sections:
Executive summary
Understanding of their needs
Proposed solution
Implementation approach
Timeline and milestones
Investment
Why us (differentiators)
Next steps
Provide guidance on what each section should contain.
`
11. Executive Summary Writer
`
Write an executive summary for a sales proposal:
Company: [prospect company]
Their challenge: [problem summary]
Our solution: [what we propose]
Key outcomes: [expected results]
Investment: [price/range]
Timeline: [implementation time]
The executive summary should:
- Be one page maximum
- Lead with their problem (not our solution)
- Quantify the opportunity
- Summarize the proposed approach
- State the investment clearly
- End with a clear recommendation
Write for a busy executive who may only read this section.
`
12. ROI Calculator Copy
`
Create ROI justification content for a sales proposal:
Our solution: [product/service]
Price: [investment amount]
Customer type: [who they are]
Problem we solve: [main issue]
Average results we deliver: [typical outcomes]
Create:
ROI narrative (2-3 paragraphs explaining value)
Cost of inaction section
ROI calculation example
Time to value estimate
Risk mitigation (what if it does not work?)
Make the math simple and believable. Avoid inflated claims.
`
13. Pricing Presentation
`
Help me present pricing effectively:
Our product: [name and description]
Pricing: [price or price range]
Pricing model: [per user, flat fee, etc.]
Typical objections to our price: [what you hear]
Value delivered: [results/benefits]
Competitor pricing: [if known]
Create:
Value-first framing (before showing price)
Price presentation approach
Comparison to alternatives (cost of status quo, competitor, DIY)
Payment/terms options to present
Responses to "too expensive" objection
Questions to ask if they raise price concerns
`
14. Case Study Presentation
`
Turn this customer success into a presentation slide:
Customer: [name, industry, size]
Problem they had: [their challenge]
Solution we provided: [what we did]
Results: [quantified outcomes]
Timeline: [how long to achieve results]
Quote from customer: [if available]
Create:
Slide title (compelling, results-focused)
Challenge summary (2-3 bullet points)
Solution summary (2-3 bullet points)
Results (with numbers prominent)
Customer quote
"Why this matters to [prospect]" connection
Format for inclusion in a slide deck.
`
---
Discovery and Qualification Prompts
15. Discovery Questions
`
Generate discovery questions for this sales conversation:
Product I sell: [description]
Prospect: [title/role]
Industry: [their industry]
Stage: [first call/follow-up]
Goal: [what I want to learn]
Create questions for each BANT category:
- Budget (3-4 questions)
- Authority (3-4 questions)
- Need (5-6 questions)
- Timeline (3-4 questions)
Also include:
- Pain questions (dig into problems)
- Impact questions (consequences of pain)
- Vision questions (what success looks like)
Make questions conversational, not interrogation-style.
`
16. Qualification Framework
`
Create a qualification checklist for our sales process:
What we sell: [product/service]
Ideal customer profile: [who is best fit]
Deal size: [typical contract value]
Sales cycle: [typical length]
Disqualifying factors: [who is NOT a fit]
Create a checklist with:
Must-have criteria (deal breakers if missing)
Nice-to-have criteria (stronger opportunity if present)
Red flags (warning signs)
Questions to verify each criterion
Scoring system (how to rate opportunity)
Decision framework (pursue/nurture/disqualify)
`
17. Pain Amplification Script
`
Create a script to amplify prospect pain:
Prospect pain point: [what they mentioned]
Impact on their business: [consequences]
My solution: [what I offer]
Context: [mid-discovery call]
Create a conversational flow that:
Acknowledges the pain
Asks about the impact (quantify if possible)
Explores what they have tried
Identifies what is at stake if unsolved
Transitions to how I can help
Include specific questions and suggested responses.
Tone: Empathetic doctor, not pushy salesperson.
`
---
Objection Handling Prompts
18. Common Objection Responses
`
Create responses for this sales objection:
Objection: [the specific objection]
Product: [what I sell]
Context: [when this typically comes up]
Truth behind objection: [what they might really mean]
Provide:
Acknowledge/empathy statement
Clarifying question to understand better
Reframe (if appropriate)
Response with evidence/social proof
Transition back to value
Alternative approach if first response fails
Write conversationally. Avoid sounding defensive.
`
19. Price Objection Handler
`
Create responses for price objections:
My product: [name and description]
Price: [amount]
Competitor price: [if relevant]
Value we deliver: [results/outcomes]
Create responses for:
"It's too expensive"
"We don't have the budget"
"Can you give us a discount?"
"Your competitor is cheaper"
"[Specific amount] is our max budget"
For each:
- Acknowledge response
- Clarifying question
- Value-based response
- Negotiation option (if appropriate)
- Walk-away criteria
`
20. Objection Battle Cards
`
Create a battle card for handling objections about:
Topic: [competitor/feature/concern]
Our product: [name]
The objection: [what they say]
The truth: [reality]
Our advantage: [why we are better]
Include:
What they might say (verbatim)
What they probably mean
Questions to ask
Our honest response
Proof points to reference
Stories/examples to share
What NOT to say
When to walk away
`
---
Meeting Preparation Prompts
21. Pre-Call Research Summary
`
Based on this information, prepare me for a sales call:
Prospect: [name]
Title: [role]
Company: [name and description]
Industry: [industry]
Company size: [employees/revenue]
Recent news: [anything notable]
LinkedIn profile summary: [key points]
Create a one-page prep sheet:
Company overview (what I need to know)
Prospect background (relevant experience)
Potential pain points
Personalization opportunities
Questions to ask
Potential objections to prepare for
Relevant case studies to reference
Key talking points
`
22. Demo Agenda
`
Create an agenda for a product demo:
Product: [what I am demoing]
Prospect: [company, attendees]
Their main pain point: [primary concern]
Time available: [demo length]
Stage in sales cycle: [first demo/follow-up/final]
Features they care about: [specific interests]
Structure the demo:
Opening (set context, confirm goals)
Discovery recap (what we know)
Demo flow (features in priority order)
Proof points (where to show results/data)
Closing (summarize, next steps)
Include timing for each section and transition phrases.
`
23. Stakeholder Meeting Prep
`
Prepare me for a meeting with multiple stakeholders:
Meeting context: [demo/proposal review/etc.]
Attendees:
- [Name, title, role in decision]
- [Name, title, role in decision]
- [Name, title, role in decision]
For each stakeholder:
What they care about most
Questions they might ask
Objections they might raise
How to engage them specifically
Content to prepare for them
Also provide:
- Meeting flow recommendation
- How to balance attention across stakeholders
- Signals to watch for
- How to handle if they disagree with each other
`
---
Follow-up and Closing Prompts
24. Meeting Recap Email
`
Write a recap email after this sales meeting:
Meeting type: [discovery/demo/proposal]
Attendees: [who was there]
Key discussion points: [what was covered]
Their concerns: [issues raised]
Commitments made: [what you agreed to]
Next steps: [what should happen]
The email should:
- Thank them for their time
- Summarize key points (confirm understanding)
- Address any concerns raised
- Confirm next steps with owners
- Provide any resources discussed
- Set clear expectations
Keep under 300 words. Format with bullet points for scannability.
`
25. Proposal Follow-up
`
Write follow-up emails after sending a proposal:
Proposal sent: [date]
Prospect: [name, company]
Proposal value: [amount]
Their timeline: [when they need to decide]
Main concerns: [issues they had]
Write 3 follow-up emails:
Day 2: Check receipt, offer to answer questions
Day 5: Add value (share relevant resource or insight)
Day 10: Create urgency (deadline, limited capacity, etc.)
Each email under 100 words. No desperation.
`
26. Closing Email Sequence
`
Create a closing sequence for a deal that is stalling:
Prospect: [name, company]
Deal value: [amount]
Stage: [they have proposal, verbal yes, etc.]
Delay reason: [what they said/what you suspect]
Timeline pressure: [quarter end, their deadline, etc.]
Create 3 emails over 10 days:
Add urgency without being pushy
Remove risk (trial, guarantee, phase start)
Final push (now or never, but professionally)
Include:
- Subject lines
- Email body
- Specific CTA for each
`
27. Negotiation Response
`
Help me respond to this negotiation request:
Their request: [what they asked for]
Our standard terms: [what we normally offer]
Deal value: [size of opportunity]
Strategic value: [importance of this deal]
What I can flex on: [negotiable terms]
What I cannot flex on: [firm terms]
Create a response that:
Acknowledges their position
Explains our value/reasoning
Makes a counter-proposal
Creates reciprocity (if I give X, I need Y)
Maintains relationship while holding ground
`
---
Sales Enablement Prompts
28. Competitive Battle Card
`
Create a competitive battle card:
Competitor: [name]
What they sell: [their product]
Their strengths: [where they win]
Their weaknesses: [where they lose]
Their pricing: [if known]
Our product: [name and description]
Our advantages: [where we win]
Include:
Competitor overview (one paragraph)
Head-to-head comparison (table format)
Where they beat us (and how to handle)
Where we beat them (talk tracks)
Landmines to set (questions to ask that expose weakness)
Customer stories where we won vs. them
What NOT to say
`
29. Customer Story Template
`
Turn this customer success into a sales story:
Customer: [name, company, industry]
Their situation before: [problem they had]
Why they chose us: [decision drivers]
What we did: [implementation]
Results: [outcomes, with numbers]
Quote: [customer statement]
Create:
One-paragraph summary (elevator version)
Problem-solution-result structure (presentation)
Key talking points
Objection this story overcomes
When to use this story in sales process
`
30. Email Template Library
`
Create a library of email templates for our sales team:
Product: [what we sell]
Target buyer: [who we sell to]
Sales cycle: [typical length]
Key differentiators: [our advantages]
Create templates for:
Initial cold outreach (3 variations)
Post-connection follow-up
Meeting request
Post-meeting recap
Proposal send
Proposal follow-up
Deal won thank you
Deal lost feedback request
For each: subject line, body, and when to use.
`
---
Sales Management Prompts
31. Pipeline Review Preparation
`
Prepare analysis for a pipeline review meeting:
My deals:
[List deals with stage, value, close date, notes]
Help me:
Identify deals at risk (and why)
Prioritize deals for focus this week
Prepare updates for each deal
Anticipate questions my manager will ask
Identify where I need help
Suggest actions to accelerate top opportunities
`
32. Forecast Analysis
`
Help me analyze and explain my forecast:
Committed deals: [list with values and close dates]
Best case deals: [list with values and close dates]
Upside deals: [list with values and close dates]
Quota: [target]
Create:
Current forecast vs. quota analysis
Risk assessment for committed deals
Actions to move best case to committed
Explanation for any gaps
Plan to close the gap
`
33. Win/Loss Analysis
`
Help me analyze this lost deal:
Prospect: [company]
Deal value: [amount]
Sales cycle length: [time]
Key contacts: [who we talked to]
Our proposal: [what we offered]
Competitor: [who won, if known]
Stated reasons for loss: [what they told us]
Analyze:
Real reasons we likely lost
What we could have done differently
At what stage did we lose?
Warning signs we missed
Lessons for future deals
Questions to ask for feedback
`
---
Quick Reference Prompts
34. Subject Line Generator
`
Generate 10 email subject lines for this scenario:
Email purpose: [cold outreach/follow-up/etc.]
Prospect type: [title/industry]
Key hook: [main value prop or curiosity driver]
Include:
- Personalized options
- Curiosity-driven options
- Benefit-driven options
- Question format options
Rate each subject line's expected open rate and explain why.
`
35. One-Liner Pitch
`
Create a one-liner pitch for my product:
Product: [name]
What it does: [functionality]
Who it is for: [target buyer]
Main benefit: [primary value]
Differentiator: [what makes us unique]
Create 5 one-liner variations:
Problem-focused
Benefit-focused
Comparison-based (like X for Y)
Results-focused
Curiosity-driving
Each should be under 15 words and memorable.
`
36. CTA Options
`
Generate call-to-action options for this sales email:
Email context: [cold/follow-up/proposal]
Goal: [what you want them to do]
Prospect relationship: [cold/warm/hot]
Their likely objection to the CTA: [why they might not act]
Create 5 CTA variations:
- Direct ask
- Soft ask
- Question format
- Choice format
- Next step format
Rank by likely effectiveness and explain.
`
37. Voicemail Script
`
Write a voicemail script for this scenario:
Prospect: [name, title]
Context: [cold/after email/after meeting]
Key message: [what you want to convey]
CTA: [what you want them to do]
The voicemail should:
- Be under 30 seconds when spoken
- Grab attention immediately
- State clear purpose
- Provide one compelling reason to call back
- Leave clear contact info
`
38. Social Selling Post
`
Write a LinkedIn post for social selling:
Topic: [relevant industry topic]
Target audience: [who I want to engage]
My expertise: [what I know about this]
Subtle tie to what I sell: [connection to my solution]
The post should:
- Provide genuine value/insight
- NOT be a sales pitch
- Encourage engagement
- Position me as a thought leader
- Be 150-200 words
Include a question at the end to drive comments.
``
---
Making These Prompts Work
Always Personalize
AI gives you a starting point. Add:
- Specific prospect details
- Your personality
- Company-specific language
- Industry context
Review Before Sending
AI makes mistakes. Check every output for:
- Factual errors
- Tone mismatches
- Cringe-worthy phrases
- Missing personalization
Build Your Library
Save prompts that work. Customize them with your:
- Product details
- Target persona language
- Competitive positioning
- Winning phrases
Iterate Constantly
Track what converts. Update prompts based on:
- Reply rates
- Meeting conversions
- Deal progression
- Customer feedback
Tools for Sales Teams
[Ralphable](/): Provides iterative prompts that improve outputs through structured feedback loops. Great for creating high-quality sales content consistently. Claude: Excellent for longer proposals and nuanced communication. Superior at following complex instructions. ChatGPT: Good for quick emails and brainstorming. Plugins can assist with prospect research.---
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI make sales too impersonal?
Only if you let it. AI handles the template work; you add the personalization that matters. Done right, AI lets you personalize more, not less.
Should I tell prospects I used AI?
No need. You would not tell them you used spell check. AI is a tool for creating the output—what matters is whether the output is good.
Which prompts should I start with?
Start with whatever consumes most of your time. For most reps, that is cold outreach (#1, #7) or follow-ups (#5, #24).
Can I use these exact templates?
Use them as starting points. Customize with your product, voice, and prospect details. Generic templates produce generic results.
---
Conclusion
Sales success comes from quality conversations at scale. AI helps you have more of them.
These 40+ prompts cover the core of sales work:
- Outreach that gets responses
- Emails that move deals forward
- Proposals that close business
- Follow-ups that do not feel automated
- Preparation that makes you look good
---
Last updated: January 2026