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Write the Hard Email

For emails you've been avoiding: declining, delivering bad news or asking for something awkward, kindly and clearly.

Shared by Elif YıldızOctober 18, 20261.5K copies

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I need to write an email I've been putting off.

Recipient: {{who they are and our relationship}}
What I need to say: {{the hard message}}
What I want to happen next: {{desired outcome}}
What I'm worried about: {{the fear, e.g. sounding cold, damaging the relationship}}

Write three versions:
1. Direct: the message in the first two sentences, warm but brief.
2. Gentle: a little more context first, same clarity by the end.
3. Very short: five sentences maximum.

For every version:
- Never apologise more than once.
- No vague phrases like "moving forward" or "touch base".
- End with one clear, specific next step.

Then tell me which version you'd send and why, in one sentence.

Ask Ideabro with this

Suggested model

Claude

Works with most modern chat models. Results improve when you give it more context than you think it needs.

Get more out of it

Paste a paragraph of your own writing first so the model can match your voice.
Ask for two versions — one safe, one bold — and splice the best bits.
Finish with “What would a sharp editor cut?” for a final pass.

Make it yours

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