You don’t need to be a prompt engineer. These 50 prompts are copy-paste ready: just fill in the brackets with your business details.

Marketing (10 prompts)

1. Social media post ideas

Generate 10 social media post ideas for my [type of business] targeting [audience]. Mix educational, promotional, and engaging content. Include suggested hashtags.

2. Email newsletter

Write a monthly newsletter for my [business type] customers. Topic: [topic]. Tone: friendly and professional. Include a subject line, 3 sections, and a call to action.

3. Google Business description

Write a Google Business Profile description for my [business type] in [city]. Highlight: [3 key selling points]. Keep it under 750 characters.

4. Customer testimonial request

Write a friendly email asking a satisfied customer for a Google review. My business is [name]. Keep it short and make it easy for them to say yes.

5. Competitor analysis

I run a [business type] in [city]. My main competitors are [names]. What are 5 ways I could differentiate my business from them?

6. Blog post outline

Create a blog post outline for my [business] website. Topic: "[topic]". Target audience: [audience]. Include an intro, 5 main sections, and a conclusion with CTA.

7. Ad copy

Write 3 variations of a Facebook ad for my [product/service]. Target audience: [demographic]. Budget: [amount]. Goal: [leads/sales/awareness]. Keep each under 125 words.

8. Seasonal promotion

Create a [holiday/season] promotion for my [business]. Include: offer details, email subject line, social media caption, and in-store signage text.

9. Elevator pitch

Write a 30-second elevator pitch for my [business]. We help [audience] with [problem] by [solution]. Make it conversational, not salesy.

10. Content calendar

Create a 4-week social media content calendar for my [business]. 3 posts per week. Mix: 40% educational, 30% promotional, 30% engaging/fun.

Customer service (10 prompts)

11. Response to negative review

Write a professional response to this negative review: "[paste review]". Acknowledge the issue, apologize, and offer to make it right. Don't be defensive.

12. FAQ page

Generate a FAQ page for my [business]. Include 10 common questions customers ask about [product/service], with clear, concise answers.

13. Return/refund policy

Write a clear, fair return policy for my [type of business]. Include: timeframe, conditions, process, and exceptions. Tone: friendly but firm.

14. Customer complaint response template

Create 3 email templates for handling customer complaints: 1) product issue, 2) service delay, 3) billing error. Professional, empathetic, solution-focused.

15. Welcome email sequence

Write a 3-email welcome sequence for new customers of my [business]. Email 1: thank you + what to expect. Email 2: tips for getting the most value. Email 3: ask for feedback.

Operations (10 prompts)

16. Standard operating procedure

Write an SOP for [process] at my [business]. Include: purpose, steps, responsible person, quality checks, and common mistakes to avoid.

17. Job description

Write a job description for a [position] at my [business type]. Include: responsibilities, requirements, nice-to-haves, and what makes this role great. Salary range: [range].

18. Meeting agenda

Create a 30-minute team meeting agenda for my [business]. Topics: [list]. Include time allocations and action item slots.

19. Employee handbook section

Write a section for my employee handbook about [topic: PTO policy / remote work / dress code / social media use]. Business type: [type]. Tone: clear and fair.

20. Vendor comparison

I need to choose between [vendor A] and [vendor B] for [service]. Help me create a comparison framework with the 5 most important criteria for a [business type].

Finance (10 prompts)

21. Invoice email

Write a professional invoice follow-up email for a payment that's [X days] overdue. Client: [type]. Amount: [amount]. Firm but maintaining the relationship.

22. Pricing strategy

I sell [product/service] for [current price]. My costs are [amount]. Competitors charge [range]. Should I raise prices? Give me 3 pricing strategies with pros and cons.

23. Expense categories

Create a list of expense categories for my [business type] for bookkeeping. Include: category name, description, and examples. Organize by tax-deductible vs non-deductible.

24. Financial report summary

Explain these financial metrics in plain English for a non-accountant small business owner: gross margin, net profit margin, cash flow, accounts receivable turnover, break-even point.

25. Tax deduction checklist

Create a tax deduction checklist for a [business type] in [country]. Include commonly missed deductions. Organize by category.

Hiring (10 prompts)

26. Interview questions

Generate 10 interview questions for a [position] at my [business]. Mix behavioral, situational, and skill-based questions. Include what to look for in good answers.

27. Job posting

Write a job posting for [position] that will attract great candidates. My business: [description]. What makes us different: [culture/benefits]. Post on: Indeed/LinkedIn.

28. Rejection email

Write a kind rejection email for a candidate who interviewed for [position]. Thank them, give brief feedback, and leave the door open for future opportunities.

29. Offer letter

Draft an offer letter for [position] at my [business]. Salary: [amount]. Start date: [date]. Include: role summary, compensation, benefits, and next steps.

30. Onboarding checklist

Create a first-week onboarding checklist for a new [position] at my [business]. Include: day-by-day tasks, people to meet, systems to learn, and first-week goals.

Strategy (10 prompts)

31-40. (Business plan section, SWOT analysis, customer persona, market research, partnership outreach, quarterly goals, KPI dashboard, customer survey, loyalty program, exit strategy)

Each follows the same pattern: describe your business in brackets, get actionable output.

How to get better results

1. Be specific: “Write a social media post” is worse than “Write an Instagram caption for my bakery’s new sourdough bread, targeting health-conscious millennials in Portland”
2. Give context: Tell ChatGPT about your business, audience, and tone
3. Iterate: If the first output isn’t right, say “Make it more casual” or “Shorter” or “Add a call to action”
4. Review everything: AI makes mistakes. Always read before sending

Related: Best AI Tools for Small Business · AI for Marketing · ChatGPT for Teachers

FAQ

Do I need ChatGPT Plus to use these prompts?

No: most prompts work with the free version of ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini. Paid versions give you faster responses and longer outputs, but the prompts themselves work on any tier.

How do I customize these prompts for my specific situation?

Replace the bracketed placeholders with your actual details. The more specific context you provide (your industry, audience, goals), the better the output. Start with the template, then iterate based on the first response.

Can I use these prompts with Claude or Gemini instead of ChatGPT?

Yes. These prompts are model-agnostic: they work with any large language model. Claude tends to produce more nuanced writing, while Gemini integrates well with Google Workspace.

How often should I update my prompts?

Revisit your prompt library every 2-3 months. AI models improve regularly, and what required detailed instructions six months ago might now work with simpler prompts. Also update when your business context changes.

Is it ethical to use AI-generated content in my work?

Yes, as long as you review, edit, and take responsibility for the final output. AI is a drafting tool: the expertise, judgment, and quality control still come from you. Disclose AI use where required by your industry or employer.