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Marketing & Sales · Tip

The 'Have You Given Up' Ghosting Text

A single-line negotiation prompt to re-engage contacts who stopped responding.

From the Xiry library · Updated 3 October 2026

This technique, developed by former FBI negotiator Chris Voss in Never Split the Difference, uses a concise prompt to break through communication deadlocks. It leverages loss aversion to prompt an immediate reply or provide clear closure to move on.

How it works

When someone is ghosting you on a deal or conversation, send a single-line message containing only:

"Have you given up on [insert project/deal name]?"

Rules:

1. Keep it strictly to that one line—do not add greetings, extra explanations, or pleasantries.

2. If they do not respond at all, the answer is 'yes'; move on.

3. If they respond with personal issues or a delay, respond with genuine empathy for their situation. If they are truthful, you will resume dialogue; if they ghost again, move on.

What it's for

  • Re-engage prospects who have gone silent on a sales pitch or contract
  • Determine whether to archive a stalled project inquiry or lead
  • Prompt a response from unresponsive collaborators or clients

Key points

  • Send a single-line message: 'Have you given up on [project/deal name]?'
  • Omit pleasantries, greetings, and defensive explanations
  • Leverage loss aversion to prompt a natural protective response
  • Interpret non-response as a final 'yes' to close out the deal
  • Reply with empathy if the recipient cites personal or unexpected delays

Pricing

Free

Details

Type
Tip
Category
Marketing & Sales
Topic
Sales Communication
Open source
No
Platforms
other
For
Sales professionals, freelancers, and anyone dealing with ghosted communications
Alternative to
Standard 'just checking in' follow-up emails
Tags
negotiation, sales, follow up, communication, cold outreach, productivity

Why it was saved

  • @thefbinegotiator, 6 November 2024: It leverages loss aversion to get a response within minutes or gives you clear closure to move on if they remain silent.

Related

Updated