Use Gmail's "Help Me Write" for Post-Delivery Customer Emails
What This Does
Gmail has a built-in AI writing assistant called "Help me write" that drafts emails for you when you describe what you want. For F&I managers, this is useful for post-delivery follow-up emails — the kind that remind customers how to use their warranty, who to call for a claim, and that you're available if they have questions. Most F&I managers never send these. The ones who do see significantly fewer cancellations and complaint calls.
Before You Start
- You have a Gmail account (personal gmail.com or work Google Workspace)
- Your dealership email is through Gmail, or you can forward to/from Gmail
- Time needed: 10 minutes to create your first template; 2 minutes per follow-up email after that
- Cost: Free (Google account)
Steps
1. Open Gmail and start a new email
Go to mail.google.com and click the "Compose" button in the upper left.
What you should see: A new compose window opens at the bottom right of your screen.
2. Find the "Help me write" button
Look for a small pencil icon with a star (or a small star/sparkle) at the bottom of the compose window, near the formatting toolbar. Click it.
What you should see: A text field appears that says "Describe what you'd like to write" or similar. Troubleshooting: If you don't see the icon, make sure you're using Gmail in a Chrome or Edge browser on a computer (not the mobile app). The feature may not be available in all Google Workspace plans.
3. Describe the email you want
Type a description of the email. For a post-delivery follow-up, try:
"Write a short, warm follow-up email to a customer who just bought a car and purchased an extended warranty and GAP insurance. Remind them of the main warranty benefits, give them a number to call for claims, and let them know I'm available if they have questions. Keep it under 150 words. Friendly tone."
What you should see: Gmail generates a full draft email in a few seconds.
4. Review and customize
Read through the draft. Click "Insert" to move it into your email, then make any changes — add your name, the customer's name, the actual claim phone number from your VSC provider.
What you should see: The draft appears in your email compose window, ready to edit.
5. Save a version as a template
Once you have a version you like, Gmail can save email drafts as templates. Go to Settings (gear icon) → See all settings → Advanced → Enable Templates. Then in a compose window, click the three dots at the bottom → Templates → Save draft as template.
What you should see: Your email is saved as a reusable template you can load with two clicks.
Real Example
Scenario: Maria bought a 2024 Honda CR-V last Tuesday. She purchased a 7-year VSC and GAP. You want to send her a follow-up before her first payment is due.
What you type in "Help me write": "Short follow-up email to a customer named Maria who bought a 2024 Honda CR-V and purchased a 7-year extended warranty and GAP insurance. Remind her the warranty covers mechanical breakdowns, give her the claim hotline reminder, and offer my direct number for questions. Warm, not salesy."
What you get: A 100–120 word email with a greeting, the key reminders, and a friendly sign-off — ready to send or lightly customize.
Tips
- Create 3–4 template variations: VSC only, GAP only, both products, and products declined (a brief thank-you that builds goodwill)
- Send within 48–72 hours of delivery — that's the window when buyers are most engaged
- Include your direct cell number; customers who can reach you directly almost never leave public negative reviews
Tool interfaces change — if the "Help me write" button has moved, look for a pencil with a sparkle icon in the Gmail compose window.