This article is part of our Slate AI series, each focused on a single, high-impact prompt, why it works, how to take it further, and how to make AI a partner in your process.
The prompt
“What strategies can I use to re-engage students who started but didn’t finish their application?”
This might seem like a basic communications question, but it’s actually an opportunity to rethink how you interpret behavior, personalize outreach, and design interventions that scale.
Here’s why this prompt is powerful:
It’s specific: focusing on a well-known, high-value segment.
It’s proactive: aiming to re-engage before the student self-selects out.
It’s holistic: inviting the AI to suggest a mix of tactics, timing, and tone.
Why it works
This prompt asks Slate AI to consider communication in terms of momentum.
Here’s why it’s effective:
Clear Focus: The group is defined: students who started the application but didn’t finish. You’re not asking about general prospect engagement. You’re targeting students with intent, but no follow-through (yet).
Behavior-Driven Framing: This prompt is based on action (or inaction). That provides AI with a behavioral anchor to work with, enabling it to suggest more tailored strategies.
Outcome-Oriented Language: Words like “strategies” and “re-engage” position this as a prompt for movement and messaging. You’re asking AI to help you change outcomes instead of just describing problems.
What Slate AI might say
You might get a response like:
“To re-engage incomplete applicants, consider:
Sending a dynamic reminder email personalized with their application start date and status
Highlighting benefits of completing the application, such as scholarship consideration or priority review
Offering a short checklist of what’s left to complete
Using SMS nudges with helpful links or deadline reminders
Asking a simple question like: ‘Need help finishing your app?’ with a link to schedule a quick call”
It may also recommend structuring this as a multi-touch campaign or suggest rules to automate delivery based on the duration of inactivity.
The power of a follow-up
Follow-up prompts can take general advice and make it implementation-ready.
A strong next prompt could be:
“Can you draft a 3-part re-engagement campaign based on these suggestions?”
From there, Slate AI could provide:
A first-touch email emphasizing ease and value
A second-touch SMS focusing on urgency or deadlines
A third-touch support offer: “Let us know how we can help”
And if you’re working in Deliver, you can then ask it to help convert those messages into structured content.
Try reframing It
Even a small change in wording opens new possibilities:
“...for adult learners” | Shifts tone and support resources |
“...who stopped after starting but never submitted documents” | Narrows to a data-triggered segment |
“...using only SMS and portal content” | Limits channels and focuses the strategy |
“...based on best practices” | Invites best-practice synthesis |
Each variation tweaks the kind of insight you’ll receive, from broad strategy to channel-specific execution.
Prompt template
“What strategies can I use to re-engage [population] who [behavior]?”
Try swapping in these options:
Admitted students | haven’t visited campus |
Prospects | haven’t opened emails in 30+ days |
Event registrants | no-showed their interview |
Current users | haven’t logged in since onboarding |
Your turn
Here are a few follow-up prompts you can try:
“What kind of subject line would work best for a student who started but didn’t finish?”
“Write a text message that feels personal and low-pressure.”
“What’s the best time of day to send re-engagement messages for high school juniors?”
When it comes to re-engagement, small changes can unlock big outcomes, and Slate AI is here to help you find the right moment, the right message, and the right move.