Lose the bid, keep the relationship
Rung 6 of 10 · Flipped interaction
1 · Learn the move · Flipped interaction
The bid you lost today is a referral, a rescue call, or next year's project, unless the last thing they remember is silence or a sulk. Flip the interaction: instead of asking AI to write a graceful loss letter cold, make it interview you first, why'd you lose, price or fit, how'd they tell you, what's your honest read, then draft from your answers. The questions force out details you'd never think to type, and the letter comes out specific instead of greeting-card gracious. Contractors who lose well get the callback when the winner face-plants, and some do.
I lost a bid and want to send a letter that keeps the relationship. Before you write anything, ask me 5 questions, why I think I lost, how they told me, my honest read on the client, whether I'd want the rescue call, what I'd bid next time. Then draft the letter from my answers. Under 150 words, zero bitterness.
2 · Your turn. You write the prompt
The Hendersons just told you their $230,000 addition is going to another builder, price, they said, apologetically. You like them and you build in their neighborhood every year. Write a prompt where the AI interviews you before it drafts the letter.
Remember: the AI sees only your prompt, not this page. If the situation isn't in your prompt, it doesn't exist.
Optional. These shape the output when you run your prompt below, not your score.