What this skill does
Drafts a first-contact email to a potential supplier or manufacturer. Short, specific, and written to get a response.
Most supplier outreach fails for the same three reasons: too long, too vague, or reads like a template. This prompt fixes all three by forcing specificity upfront.
When to use it
- Starting to source a new material category and contacting 10–20 suppliers in one sprint
- Testing the market for a new manufacturing capability before committing to a sourcing trip
- Following up on a contact made at a trade show (Première Vision, Texworld, Munich Fabric Start)
- Replacing cold outreach that isn't getting replies
How to use it
- 1.Copy the prompt using the button above
- 2.Open Claude or ChatGPT and paste it as the system prompt
- 3.In your message, describe:
- The supplier and what they produce
- What you are sourcing (be specific — not "knitwear", but "16-gauge merino sweaters, 1,000–3,000 units/season")
- Your brand's approximate scale
- Any hard requirements (certifications, geography, MOQ ceiling)
The output is ready to send with minimal editing. Always verify the company name and any figures before sending.
Tips
- Use Claude for a more measured, formal register — useful for European or Japanese suppliers
- Use ChatGPT when you want slightly warmer, more conversational English
- Send within 48 hours of finding the supplier — response rates drop sharply after that
- If you have a specific product or fabric reference from their portfolio, add it to your message. Specificity is the difference between "looks real" and "looks like mass outreach"