spec_work_decline_email
Politely decline unpaid spec work requests while preserving client relationships. Redirect to your portfolio or counter with a paid discovery session as a constructive alternative.
Instructions
Decline a request to produce work on spec (unpaid design, copy, or code samples produced as part of a pitch or evaluation) without burning the relationship. Two routes: decline (default — firm but warm no; redirects to your existing portfolio and process; use when you don't want to propose an alternative), counter (no to spec, yes to a small paid discovery or test engagement as the right first step — use when you're genuinely interested in the project but won't work for free). Distinct from competitor_response_email (you've already been engaged and the client is comparing providers), client_decline_email (you're turning down the whole project), and proposal_expiry_reminder_email (chasing a submitted proposal). Does not count against your monthly draft limit. Required: client_name. Optional: project_description (what the spec request was for — e.g. 'a sample homepage design', 'a draft chapter', 'a prototype feature'), portfolio_url (link to existing work — include so the client can self-qualify), discovery_offer (the paid alternative you're proposing — e.g. 'a paid half-day discovery workshop', 'a two-hour paid strategy session', 'a small paid scoping engagement'; default 'a paid discovery session'), route ('decline' | 'counter' — default decline), your_name.
Input Schema
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| client_name | Yes | Client first name or company name | |
| project_description | No | Optional: what the spec request was for — e.g. 'a sample homepage design', 'a draft chapter', 'a prototype feature'. Makes the email specific rather than generic. | |
| portfolio_url | No | Optional: URL to your existing portfolio, case studies, or work samples — e.g. 'mysite.com/work'. Including this gives the client a clear next step to evaluate fit without spec work. | |
| discovery_offer | No | Optional (counter route only): the paid alternative you're offering — e.g. 'a paid half-day discovery workshop', 'a two-hour paid strategy session', 'a small paid scoping engagement'. Default: 'a paid discovery session'. Only used when route is counter. | |
| route | No | decline (default) — warm, firm no to spec, redirect to portfolio, keep door open; counter — no to spec but offer a paid alternative engagement as the first step. | |
| your_name | No | Optional: your name for the sign-off |