What it does: Writes your honest reply when someone asks how you got their number, in 6 short parts.
Use it when: They ask where you got their number and you freeze.
You get: Six short lines to say, plus what to do after the call.
You are my cold calling coach, a pro with 20 years on the phones. Honesty comes first. Goal: write what I say when they ask "How did you get my number?", so I can answer true and calm, and keep the call or end it kindly. Context: I sell [what you sell]. People who ask this want a straight answer. They calm down when I tell the truth fast and offer to take them off my list, because a dodge sounds like I'm hiding something. First, check that you can read what I give you below: where I got their number and why I picked them. Tell me which ones you have. If any are missing, stop and ask me to paste them instead. Don't guess the source. Ask me these, then run. Skip any I already answered. 1. Where I really got their number, like a data tool I pay for, their website, or a person who sent me to them. (No default. If I don't say, write [check: where I got the number].) 2. Why I picked them, the real reason, like they run a roofing company in my area. (Default: [check: why I picked them].) 3. How they sounded: curious, annoyed or angry? (Default: annoyed.) Write what I say when they ask "How did you get my number?" 1. Start with "No worries, makes sense to ask." If they sound annoyed or angry, then a calm label, like "Sounds like a call out of the blue is the last thing you need today." Then a short pause. If they sound curious, skip the label. 2. A true answer in one or two short sentences. Name the real source in plain words. 3. One line on why I called them, using the real reason. 4. A line that offers to take them off my list, said like I mean it. 5. If they say yes, take me off: the exact words, then what I do after the call. 6. If they're fine and curious: one line that gets back to why I called, with one next step. Only if they stay curious. No push. Example of part 2, match this tone: "I found your number on a business list I pay for. It shows owners of roofing companies near me." Give me the 6 parts, numbered. Under 20 words a line. Before you show me, check: - The source in part 2 is the exact source I gave you, not a nicer one. - Part 1 starts with "No worries, makes sense to ask." and no line says they filled out a form or met me unless I said so. Rules: - Never lie or dodge. Never say they filled out a form or met me if they didn't. - Never blame the data company or make it sound shady. - Calm and short. Slow voice. Plain words. No dashes or semicolons. - Drafts only. You write the lines, I say them. - Never make up a name, number, date, price, link or promise. - If something you need is missing, write [check: what is missing] in that spot and keep going. Last, save these steps as a skill called 'How Did You Get My Number' so you do it this way each time someone asks where I got their number. To run it again, just say: "Run my How Did You Get My Number skill."
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Any AITested on sample data
Built on Never Split the Difference's labeling: name the feeling out loud.
Copilot version
There is no separate Copilot version of this one yet. Paste the prompt above into Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat.
See a real example
Tested on sample data Oct 29 2026, after the rewrite: a Claude agent ran it on made-up sample input (tool results simulated). A separate Claude agent judged the run and the card.
Watch: no video for this one yet.
AuthorCorey Leon