As an entrepreneur, you wear every hat: CEO, marketer, salesperson, and support agent. Your most limited resource isn’t money- it’s time. Are you tapping into the full potential of ChatGPT to win back that time?
The problem isn’t the tool; it’s how most people use it. Asking vague questions leads to vague results. But when you give ChatGPT specific roles, context, and clear goals, it transforms from a simple chatbot into a powerful business partner. It can act as your on-demand strategist, your expert copywriter, or your data analyst, instantly.
This guide is your complete toolkit. We’ve moved beyond basic tips to provide expert-level prompts you can copy and paste today. These aren’t just questions; they are precise commands, engineered to solve the real-world challenges you face daily. Use these prompts to:
- Validate new business ideas instantly.
- Build a powerful marketing and content engine.
- Streamline your operations and save countless hours.
- Make smarter, data-driven decisions.
To get the most out of this guide, let’s first look at the simple structure behind every powerful prompt.
The Anatomy of a Powerful Prompt
Before diving in, understand what makes a prompt effective. The best prompts provide clear context and constraints. The prompts in this guide use placeholders like [Your Company] and [product/service] so you can easily insert your specific details.
- Persona: Tell ChatGPT who to be.
Act as a venture capitalist...,Act as an expert copywriter... - Context: Give it the background.
I run a [business type] targeting [specific audience]. - Task: State the exact action.
Generate...,Analyze...,Create a table...,Draft an email... - Constraints & Format: Define the output.
Use a professional tone...,Limit the response to 3 bullet points...,The output must be in a markdown table.
I. Idea Generation & Validation
Before you build, you must brainstorm and validate. Use these prompts to generate innovative ideas and test their fundamental strength.
- Brainstorming New Business Concepts
Act as a business incubator consultant. Generate[number]innovative startup concepts that merge the emerging technology of[e.g., generative AI]with the consumer trend of[e.g., hyper-personalization]within the[e.g., e-commerce fashion]industry. For each concept, outline the target customer, the core offering, and a key differentiator. - Improving an Existing Product
Analyze my current product:[briefly describe your product/service, e.g., 'a mobile app for booking local fitness classes']. Suggest[number]actionable improvements focusing on[e.g., user engagement and retention]. The target market is[e.g., young professionals aged 25-35]. - Crafting a Unique Value Proposition (UVP)
Act as a branding expert. Help me craft a powerful and concise Unique Value Proposition (UVP) for my[Your Product/Service].- Product/Service:
[e.g., AI-powered scheduling software]. - Target Customer:
[e.g., busy sales professionals]. - Key Differentiator:
[e.g., It automatically finds and suggests meeting times based on email conversations].
Generate 5 distinct UVP options, each with a different angle (e.g., one focused on time-saving, one on professionalism, one on technology).
- Product/Service:
II. Market Research & Competitive Analysis
Understand the landscape you’re about to enter. These prompts help you identify opportunities, challenges, and your competitors’ strategies.
- Comprehensive Market Analysis
Conduct a market analysis for a[e.g., meal-kit delivery service]in the[e.g., Southeast Asian]market. Identify and summarize:- Current market trends (e.g., focus on sustainability, plant-based diets).
[Number]potential growth opportunities.[Number]key challenges (e.g., logistics, competition).- The primary needs of the target customer segment:
[e.g., busy urban families].
- Detailed Competitor Analysis
Act as a market research analyst. My primary competitors for my[e.g., project management SaaS tool]are[Competitor A],[Competitor B], and[Competitor C]. Create a markdown table that compares our business against these competitors based on the following criteria: Pricing Model, Key Features, Target Audience, Unique Value Proposition, and primary Marketing Channels used. - Customer Sentiment Analysis
Analyze customer reviews for[Competitor's Product/Service Name]. If direct reviews aren’t available, analyze general online sentiment. Summarize the top[number]strengths (things customers love) and top[number]weaknesses (common complaints or frustrations) that are frequently mentioned. This will help me identify gaps in the market.
III. Business Planning & Strategy
Build a rock-solid foundation for your venture with clear strategic documents.
- SWOT Analysis
Act as a seasoned business strategist. Conduct a detailed SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis for my business.- Business: A
[e.g., subscription box for eco-friendly products]called[Your Company Name]. - Target Market:
[e.g., environmentally-conscious millennials in urban areas]. - Key Strengths to Consider:
[e.g., unique supplier relationships, strong brand aesthetic]. - Key Weaknesses to Consider:
[e.g., high shipping costs, small marketing budget].
Present the final analysis in a four-quadrant markdown table.
- Business: A
- Business Plan Outline
Outline a detailed business plan for a[e.g., SaaS startup providing analytics for small businesses]. The plan should include these sections: Executive Summary, Company Description, Market Analysis, Organization & Management, Products/Services, Marketing & Sales Strategy, and Financial Projections. Provide 2-3 key bullet points of what to include in each section. - Go-To-Market Strategy
Act as a business strategist. For a startup in the[e.g., FinTech]industry launching a[e.g., new mobile budgeting app], detail the ‘Go-To-Market’ strategy section of our business plan. Include specific ideas for: target customer segments, key marketing channels, the sales process, and initial launch activities.
IV. Branding & Creative
Develop a brand identity that resonates with your audience and stands out from the competition.
- Brand Concept Ideation
Generate[number]branding concept ideas for my new[e.g., artisanal coffee brand]. The core brand values are[e.g., 'sustainability', 'craftsmanship', and 'community']. For each concept, suggest a mood/style, a potential color palette, and imagery themes that would appeal to[e.g., coffee connoisseurs who value ethical sourcing]. - Logo Concept Generation
Ideate[number]visual concepts for a logo for my company,[Company Name]. We are in the[e.g., renewable energy]sector and our brand personality is[e.g., 'innovative' and 'reliable']. Describe the visual elements, style (e.g., minimalist, abstract), and symbolism for each concept. Do not generate an image. - Tagline and Messaging Creation
Suggest[number]taglines and[number]key messaging points for a marketing campaign for[Your Product/Service]. The campaign is targeting[specific audience]and aims to highlight our key benefit of[e.g., 'saving users 10 hours per week on administrative tasks'].
V. Marketing & Content Creation
Attract, engage, and convert your target audience with compelling content and strategic campaigns.
- Content Strategy Pillars
Act as a content marketing strategist. I need to develop content pillars for my brand,[Your Company Name].- Company: We sell
[e.g., high-performance blenders for health enthusiasts]. - Target Audience:
[e.g., fitness professionals, people on a health journey, busy parents]. - Goal: To establish authority and drive organic traffic.
Generate 4-5 core content pillars. For each pillar, provide three specific content ideas (e.g., blog post, video, or social media series).
- Company: We sell
- SEO-Optimized Blog Post Outline
Act as an SEO expert. Create a detailed outline for a blog post on the topic:[Blog Post Topic, e.g., 'How to Choose the Right Coffee Beans']. The primary keyword is[main keyword, e.g., 'best coffee beans']. The outline should include an SEO-optimized H1 title, an introduction, H2 and H3 headings with long-tail keywords like[e.g., 'arabica vs robusta'], and a concluding call-to-action. - Social Media Content Calendar
Act as a social media manager. Create a 1-week content calendar for[Your Company Name]for[Instagram].- Product:
[e.g., handmade leather journals]. - Themes for the week:
[e.g., 'The Art of Journaling' and 'Behind the Craft']. - Content Mix: Include a mix of product showcases, behind-the-scenes content, and user-generated content prompts.
Present the output as a table with columns for: Day, Theme, Post Idea/Format, Caption Prompt, and Hashtag Suggestions.
- Product:
- Ad Copy Variations for A/B Testing
Act as a direct response copywriter. Generate 3 different ad copy variations for a[Facebook]campaign promoting my[e.g., online course on digital photography].- Variation 1 (Pain Point): Focus on the problem of
[e.g., taking blurry, uninspired photos]. - Variation 2 (Benefit): Focus on the outcome of
[e.g., capturing stunning, professional-quality images]. - Variation 3 (Social Proof): Use a testimonial angle.
Each variation needs a headline, body text, and a clear call-to-action.
- Variation 1 (Pain Point): Focus on the problem of
- A key part of entrepreneurship is effective marketing. Elevate your campaigns with these Prompts for Marketing.
- As an entrepreneur, you’re also the chief marketer. Learn to write compelling copy for your website, ads, and emails with our step-by-step Copywriting Prompts.
VI. Sales & Customer Success
Convert leads into loyal customers with effective communication and support systems.
- Cold Outreach Email Template
Act as a sales development representative. Draft a cold email template to a[Job Title of Prospect, e.g., Head of HR]. My product is[Your Product/Service, e.g., an employee wellness platform]. The goal is to book a 15-minute discovery call. The email should have a compelling subject line, mention their potential pain point of[e.g., employee burnout], state my value proposition, and end with a clear, low-friction call-to-action. - Handling Sales Objections
Act as a sales coach. My prospect’s objection is:[e.g., 'Your price is too high compared to Competitor X.']. My key differentiators are[e.g., 24/7 customer support and more advanced features]. Provide 3 different ways to respond to this objection, framing my differentiators as a justification for the value and long-term ROI. - Customer Onboarding Email Sequence
Act as a customer success manager. Create a 3-part email onboarding sequence for new users of my[SaaS analytics tool].- Email 1 (Immediate): Welcome them and guide them to the first key action:
[e.g., 'Connect your first data source']. - Email 2 (Day 3): Showcase a powerful feature like
[e.g., 'Creating custom dashboards']. - Email 3 (Day 7): Check in, ask for feedback, and provide a link to our help center.
- Email 1 (Immediate): Welcome them and guide them to the first key action:
- Customer Service FAQ & Chatbot Script
Develop a script for a customer service chatbot and a website FAQ section for my[e.g., e-commerce store selling pet supplies]. Include friendly greetings and clear, concise answers to the top 5 most common questions:[e.g., 'What is your shipping policy?', 'How do I make a return?', 'Are your products safe for puppies?', 'How can I track my order?', 'What payment methods do you accept?']. Also, include an escalation path if the chatbot cannot resolve the query.
VII. Operations, Productivity, & Automation
Streamline your processes, manage projects effectively, and automate routine tasks to save time.
- Project Plan Creation
Act as a certified project manager. I need a high-level project plan for[e.g., launching our new e-commerce website]in[e.g., 8 weeks]. Break the project into phases (e.g., Discovery, Design, Development, Testing, Launch). For each phase, list the key tasks, estimated duration, and the responsible party (e.g., Marketing, Developer). - Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Creation
Act as an operations consultant. Create a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the recurring task of[e.g., 'Processing a Customer Refund']. The SOP should be a clear, step-by-step guide for an employee, including the purpose, tools required ([e.g., Stripe, Zendesk]), and an escalation point for problems. - Productivity Framework
Suggest a daily and weekly productivity framework for a solo entrepreneur juggling[e.g., product development, marketing, and client communication]. My biggest time-wasters are[e.g., social media and context-switching]. Include time-blocking strategies, prioritization techniques (like the Eisenhower Matrix), and one key habit to build. - Identifying Automation Opportunities
Identify[number]routine administrative tasks in a[e.g., freelance design business]that are good candidates for automation. For each task (e.g.,[invoicing, appointment scheduling, social media posting]), suggest a specific tool or type of tool (e.g.,[Zapier, Calendly, Buffer]) and briefly describe how it would streamline the process. - Meeting Agenda Generator
Act as an executive assistant. Generate a concise and effective meeting agenda for our upcoming[Meeting Name, e.g., Weekly Team Sync].- Attendees:
[e.g., Marketing Lead, Sales Lead, Founder]. - Duration:
[e.g., 45 minutes]. - Key Objectives:
[e.g., 1. Review last week's KPIs. 2. Plan this week's marketing campaign. 3. Address sales pipeline blockers.].
Allocate a specific time slot for each agenda item and assign a leader for each topic.
- Attendees:
VIII. Data Analysis & Reporting
Make data-driven decisions by understanding your business performance.
- Analyzing Performance Data
Given the following data:[e.g., Monthly website traffic for the last 6 months: Jan: 5000, Feb: 5500, Mar: 7000, Apr: 6500, May: 8000, Jun: 9500]. Analyze this data to identify key trends, the overall growth rate, and provide[number]actionable recommendations to capitalize on these findings. - Customer Data Segmentation
Act as a data analyst. My business has customer data including[e.g., purchase frequency, average order value, and product category purchased]. Suggest[number]ways to segment this data to identify high-value customer groups and propose a targeted marketing action for each segment. - Monthly Business Performance Report Template
Create a template for a monthly business performance report for a[e.g., SaaS company]. List the key sections and the metrics to be included in each.- Section 1: Sales Performance (Metrics: MRR, New Customers, Churn Rate).
- Section 2: Marketing ROI (Metrics: Website Traffic, Conversion Rate, CAC).
- Section 3: Product Engagement (Metrics: Daily Active Users, Feature Adoption Rate).
IX. Legal, Finance, & Compliance
Navigate the administrative side of your business with more confidence.
Disclaimer: ChatGPT is not a certified legal or financial professional. These prompts are for generating general information, checklists, and foundational understanding. Always consult with a qualified professional for binding advice.
- General Legal Considerations
Provide a general overview of the key legal considerations for starting an[e.g., e-commerce store]in[Your Country/Region]. Include a checklist of topics to research, such as business registration, basic tax obligations, data privacy (GDPR/CCPA), and terms of service requirements. - Understanding Funding Options
Explain the common funding options for an entrepreneur at the[e.g., growth stage]. Briefly describe[e.g., Bootstrapping, Angel Investors, Venture Capital, and Small Business Loans], including the general pros and cons of each from the founder’s perspective. - Basic Financial Management Practices
Act as a financial literacy guide for entrepreneurs. Outline a framework for allocating an initial budget of[e.g., $25,000]for a new[e.g., retail shop]. Provide suggested percentage ranges for key areas like inventory, marketing, rent, and a contingency fund. Also, explain the core purpose of an Income Statement vs. a Cash Flow Statement.
X. Entrepreneurial Growth & Networking
The most important asset in your company is you. Use these prompts to learn, grow, and connect.
- Learning a New Business Concept
Explain the core concepts of[e.g., 'The Lean Startup Methodology']in simple, actionable terms for an entrepreneur with a[e.g., non-technical background]. Provide a 3-step plan on how I could start applying it to my business this week. - Crafting an Elevator Pitch
Craft a 60-second elevator pitch for my[new mobile app], which helps[e.g., university students]to[e.g., find and share study notes]by[e.g., using AI to automatically organize and tag their uploaded documents]. The pitch must be engaging, clear, and memorable. - Drafting a Partnership Proposal Email
Compose a professional and concise outreach email to[Potential Partner Company Name], a company that[e.g., sells student textbooks online]. I am the founder of[Your Company Name], which[e.g., offers a note-sharing app]. Propose a partnership where[e.g., we could offer a bundle deal to their customers]. Highlight 2-3 key mutual benefits. - Creating a Personal Learning Plan
Act as an industry mentor. I am an entrepreneur in the[e.g., B2B software]space and I want to improve my skills in[e.g., negotiation]. Create a 30-day learning plan with weekly actionable steps, recommended resources (books, podcasts, videos), and a practical exercise for each week.
Also Check These Prompts:
- From sales to strategy, we have a comprehensive list of Prompts for Business that can help you succeed.
- To streamline your operations, check out our time-saving Prompts for Product Managers.
- For entrepreneurs running an online retail business, we’ve developed a specialized list of Prompts for e-commerce to handle everything from marketing to customer service.