If you’re like most marketers today, you’ve probably dabbled with ChatGPT, maybe to write a blog or brainstorm some headlines. But, as you may have discovered, generic ChatGPT prompts lead to generic results. The secret sauce? Better prompts that lead to better results.
Here are some practical tips that can help turn a blank page into high-performing content, and when you master these, you’ll spend less time fixing clunky drafts and more time hitting publish.
What Makes a Good ChatGPT Prompt?
A prompt is similar to giving a friend directions. If you’re vague, they’ll probably get lost. On the other hand, if you’re clear and detailed, they’ll be able to find the right place. With that in mind, here’s what every good prompt should consider:
- Visualise the final output first. What do you want the final result to look like? E.g.: “Repurpose this blog post into 10 LinkedIn social posts. Vary the format to include story-driven, data-focused, question-based, and how-to content. Each post should also include a key takeaway for [Target audience X].”
- Add context. Who are you instructing to do the work, and what is the main goal? E.g.: “You’re an email marketing expert. Outline an email marketing content strategy for [Brand X], including key themes, target audiences, and a monthly content calendar.
- Be specific and include length, style, tone and structure. E.g.: “Write a 1200-word evidence-backed blog post. Include data, expert quotes, and real-world examples. Use the following keywords in the headline, subheading, and body…”
- And finally, don’t be afraid to refine and re-run your prompts, because better input equals better output.
When you combine the above and more, you give ChatGPT everything it needs to deliver something you can actually use.
10 Must-Have ChatGPT Prompts for Marketers
To help you get started, here are 10 powerful prompts you can keep in your back pocket for everyday tasks:
1. Create a Blog Outline
“Create a 5-section blog outline on [Topic X], each with a catchy heading and 3 bullet points of what to cover.”
2. Social Caption Starter
“Draft an Instagram caption for [Product X] with an engaging opening line, a short story, and a strong call-to-action.”
3. Email Welcome Series
“Write an email welcome sequence of 3 emails for [Audience X] introducing [Brand/Service X], explaining the key benefits.”
4. Customer Pain Points & Content Ideas
“Summarise the top 3 customer pain points for [Product/Niche X] and suggest 5 blog topics to address them.”
5. Rewrite for Tone
“You are a friendly copy editor: rewrite this paragraph to sound conversational and engaging for [Audience X].”
6. Eye-Catching Subject Lines
“Generate 5 subject lines for a promotional email about [Offer X], each under 50 characters.”
7. Social Media Calendar
“Outline a simple 4-week social media calendar for [Brand/Topic X], with 3 posts per week and brief content ideas for each.”
8. FAQ Page Draft
“Create an FAQ page draft for [Product/Service X] answering the 5 most common questions customers might ask.”
9. Product Description
“Write a short, punchy product description for [Item X] that highlights its top 3 benefits.”
10. Professional LinkedIn Post
“Draft a LinkedIn post announcing [News/Launch X] that sounds professional yet approachable.”
The above examples cover everyday marketing tasks, from long-form content to quick captions and campaign copy.
Why These Prompts Work
These prompts work because they’re practical and clear. They include context, and they’re specific about the output, which makes it easy for ChatGPT to fill in the blanks without going off on a tangent.
But if you skip the details, you get vague, off-brand content. Conversely, when you feed it the right information, i.e. who, what, why and how, you receive drafts that are more polished and feel closer to the finished product.
And the best part? Each of these can be tweaked and expanded. If the first draft isn’t quite right, you can ask ChatGPT to adapt the tone, add more detail, or adjust the format. That flexibility is what makes AI so powerful.
How to Get the Most Out of ChatGPT Prompts
Here’s how to use ChatGPT prompts to receive strong drafts every time:
- Pick the right prompt for your task and match it to your goal.
- Add in all essential brand details, e.g., product names, audience details, tone of voice, etc.
- Add extra instructions, e.g., word count, structure, keywords, etc.
- Read what you get back and refine if needed, or ask for a second take.
- Save your winning versions and build up a history so you never have to start from scratch.
The more you use and tweak your prompts, the better you’ll get at writing them. Over time, you’ll have a toolkit that’s custom to your brand and audience.
Where AI Shines (and Where You Come In)
Here’s the thing: AI is here to stay and here to help you, not replace you. So use it to your advantage! Start with a strong prompt and create a fast first draft, and from there, use your unique human touch to give it personality and credibility.
Use these prompts to brainstorm, break through creative blocks, and get a head start on your next piece. And then add your own brand flair, stories, and unique perspective. That’s what sets your content apart from everyone else’s.
When you balance smart AI prompting with your human creativity, you get the best of both worlds: fast drafts and authentic content that sounds like you.
Ready to Try Out Some Of These ChatGPT Prompts?
If you’ve been stuck with generic outputs, these 10 prompts are your sign to level up. They’ll help you plan content faster, test new ideas, and stay consistent with your brand voice, all without staring at a blinking cursor for hours.
Try them out. Adjust them to your industry and audience and share them with your team so everyone can work better and faster.
And if you’d like help tailoring prompts and more specifically, all things digital content for your business, don’t be shy, contact us! Together, we can fine-tune your content to be your best yet!
