This system prompt sets up an AI sales agent that qualifies a lead, answers the five common objections, and books the next step. Use it in any agent builder, or run it in Taskade on a pipeline that logs every lead, reply, and stage.
The system prompt
The prompt above sets the role, your offer facts, the qualification questions, an objection matrix (price, timing, competitor, authority, status quo), reply rules, and a hand-off rule. Fill in every [BRACKET] with real facts. An agent that has no facts makes them up.
System prompt vs chat prompt
| System prompt (this page) | Chat prompt | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it lives | In the agent's instructions | In one message you type |
| Who reads it | The agent, before every conversation | The AI, once |
| How long it lasts | Every lead, every day | One answer |
| Use it for | Rules, facts, tone, and hand-offs | A single email or reply |
Pick a qualification framework
The prompt asks three qualification questions. Choose them from one framework so every lead gets the same test:
- BANT: Budget, Authority, Need, Timeline. Short, and good for inbound leads.
- MEDDIC: Metrics, Economic buyer, Decision criteria, Decision process, Identify pain, Champion. Better for larger deals with many people involved.
- CHAMP: Challenges, Authority, Money, Prioritization. It starts with the problem, so the first question feels less like a sales script.
Write the framework name and its questions into [QUESTION 1] to [QUESTION 3], and ask the agent to log each answer on the pipeline.
Objection replies you can test
Price:
The prospect says: "It is too expensive." Reply in under 100 words. Restate the cost of the problem, give one result from [PROOF], and offer [LOW-FRICTION NEXT STEP].
Timing:
The prospect says: "Not now, maybe next quarter." Ask one question about what changes next quarter, and offer to send [RESOURCE] now.
Competitor:
The prospect says: "We already use [COMPETITOR]." Ask what works and what does not. Name one difference that matters for their goal. Do not criticize the competitor.
Authority:
The prospect says: "I need to ask my manager." Offer a one-page summary for the manager and ask who else joins the next call.
Status quo:
The prospect says: "Our current process is fine." Ask what the process costs in hours each week, then offer a 15-minute look at one alternative.
Follow-up sequence
Write 3 follow-up messages for a lead who went quiet after [LAST STEP]: day 1 (recap and one question), day 3 (one useful resource), day 7 (a short close-the-loop message). Each under 80 words.
How to run this prompt
Step 1: Add your offer facts
Fill in the product, price range, ideal customer, proof points, and the next step you want, for example a demo call.
Step 2: Create the agent
Paste the prompt into a custom agent as its instructions, and test it with each objection above.
Step 3: Put the agent on a pipeline
Clone the sales pipeline above so each lead, stage, and next step lands on one board your team can see.
What the free plan covers
The Free plan holds 1 agent and 3 Taskade Genesis apps. You earn free AI credits with referrals and invites, and you can upgrade any time. Pro is $10/mo billed annually. Compare plans.
Related prompts
- Objection handling prompt
- Lead qualification prompt
- Sales objection handling prompt generator
- Best AI CRM builders
For more starting points, see these AI agent prompt templates. Need a prompt for a different job? Try the prompt builder in our AI prompt generators guide.
FAQ
What goes in an AI sales agent system prompt?
A role, the facts about your offer, the questions that qualify a lead, replies for common objections, rules for length and tone, and a rule for when a person takes over.
How should an AI agent handle a price objection?
It should restate the cost of the problem, give one real result, and offer a small next step. It should never invent a discount you did not approve.
When should the agent hand off to a person?
When a lead asks for a custom price, a contract change, or a legal answer, or when the lead is upset. Write those cases into the hand-off rule.
Can the agent send follow-ups on its own?
Yes, with an automation that runs on a schedule or when a lead changes stage. Review the first messages by hand before you let it run.
What is the difference between a system prompt and a user prompt?
A system prompt is the standing instruction an agent reads before every conversation. A user prompt is one message in that conversation. Put rules and facts in the system prompt.
Which qualification framework fits an AI sales agent?
BANT is the simplest for inbound chat. Use MEDDIC when deals involve several decision makers. Pick one and keep the same questions for every lead.