Catch up on customer email with AI, for freelancers

Unread client messages pile up while you do the actual work of your day. AI reads the inbox, spots who needs an answer, and drafts a reply for each one.

What to gather first

Three emails you wrote and liked
Your current rate sheet
Your working hours and booking link

Which app

For this one, AI needs to open your files itself, so use an agent app rather than a chat window. Three that a non-technical owner can install today:

Hermes AgentFree and open source. Runs on your Mac or PC, works inside a folder you choose. CodexOpenAI's agent app. Paid plan, polished, tied to their models. Claude CodeAnthropic's agent app. Paid plan, careful with permissions.

How to do it

Open your inbox with AI. Connect AI to your business email. Point it at today's incoming messages from clients and new leads.
Feed your sample replies. Add your samples and your rate sheet into the conversation. This shows AI how you talk, what you charge, and how you say no.
Ask for draft replies. Tell AI to read the unread client notes and prepare answers. It puts each suggested text into your drafts folder or lists them on your screen.
Review and send. Read every draft line by line. Fix any dates, adjust the tone, and hit send yourself.

What to type first

Here are three replies I sent last week and my current price list. Read the unread messages in my inbox from clients. Draft a short, polite answer for each one using my tone. Put the drafts in a list for me to review. Do not send anything.

Change the words to match your business. AI follows what you say, so say what done looks like.

Before you trust it

Make sure the quoted rates match what you charge today.
Check that promised dates fit your actual open calendar slots.
Confirm AI did not invent answers to project questions you have not decided yet.

Try having AI draft follow-up notes for past clients who have not answered your quotes.

More for freelancers

Want a second pair of eyes?

Tell us what your week looks like and we'll say where we'd start. A short message is plenty.

Send us a message →