The more we use AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Anthropic’s Claude, the more we’re discovering how they can help entrepreneurs get their businesses started. We’re collecting our favorite prompts here so you can jump-start your business and get moving faster with the help of AI.

That said, we do have some words of caution: We’ve found AI to be a fantastic tool for brainstorming, but that doesn’t mean you can just cut and paste the results into your business plan, marketing plan, or anything else. Make sure to review the output carefully and, especially if there are any numbers or “facts” in the output, double check the AI’s work. More often than not, we’ve found that AI tools still (as of February 2024) provide misleading or inaccurate data. 

The bottom line is that AI generated content needs human editors and review. It may create interesting ideas, but it’s your job as an entrepreneur to sort through the ideas and pick out the good ones, discarding the bad ones. Think of AI as a tool and collaborator, not as a complete solution.

That said, here are our favorite prompts:

Idea Generation & Validation

Come up with new business ideas:

Additional Prompt Elements

• •Your skills: "Generate ideas that leverage my background in [list your skills and expertise]."
• •Passion points: "Help me brainstorm business ideas that align with my passion for [list interests relevant to potential businesses]."
• •Local needs: "Identify business ideas that address unmet needs or gaps in the market within my community [location]."
• •Emerging trends: "Suggest business ideas that capitalize on upcoming trends in [industry] or that are likely to disrupt the marketplace."

Example

Let’s say you’re interested in sustainability, and have experience in marketing:

Tips for evaluating business ideas:

• •Brainstorm broadly and keep an open mind: Even impractical ideas might spark an idea for something feasible.
• •Research is key: Having an idea is just the beginning. You’ll need to validate that there’s demand, and that you’ll be able to create a sustainable business.
• •Think outside the box: Disruptive businesses emerge from unique, out-of-the-ordinary concepts.
• •Learn more: How to come up with a good business idea

Validate a business idea:

Core Prompt

Additional Considerations

• •Budget and timeline: "Outline validation methods suitable for my [small/medium/large] budget and a [desired timeframe]."
• •Competitor insights: "Suggest ways to gather insights on competitors offering similar solutions, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses."
• •Metrics for success: "Define key metrics I should track to evaluate the success of my validation efforts."

Example

Let’s say your idea is a subscription box service for curated craft cocktail ingredients:

Tips for validating business ideas:

• •Combine methods: Employ diverse validation methods (surveys, interviews, landing pages, etc.)
• •Iterate: Be prepared to adapt your plan and idea based on the feedback you receive.
• •"Minimum Viable Product" mindset: Consider ways to test a bare-bones version of your offering to get early validation.
• •Learn more: How to Validate Your Business Idea

Analyze Industry Trends:

Core Prompt

Additional Considerations

• •Timeframe: "Focus on trends likely to have the most significant impact within the next [1-3 years]."
• •Sources: "Suggest reliable sources for industry trend reports, trade publications, and credible data."
• •SWOT framework: "Frame the analysis around a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to understand the potential implications for my business."

Example

Let’s imagine you own an independent bookstore:

Tips

• •Prioritize: Focus on the trends most likely to disrupt your business niche.
• •Look beyond the obvious: Dig into niche trends within your larger industry for opportunities.
• •Actionable insights: Connect your findings to strategic planning for your business.
• •Learn more: How to conduct an industry analysis

Getting Started:

Business names and slogans:

Core Prompt

Variations

• •Keyword focused: "Include relevant keywords like [list keywords] within the name or slogan suggestions."
• •Emotional appeal: "Brainstorm names and slogans that evoke a specific feeling or emotion [e.g., trust, confidence, excitement]."
• •Target customer: "Generate names and slogans that would resonate with my target audience: [describe your ideal customer]."
• •Competitor check: "Research names of my competitors and suggest options that stand out and avoid potential trademark conflicts."

Example

Let’s say you’re launching a new line of natural skincare products:

Tips:

• •Brainstorm freely: Generate lots of options, even seemingly far-fetched ones.
• •Visual inspiration: Images and mood boards can fuel your brainstorming.
• •Test with others: Get feedback on your shortlist of names and slogans to gauge memorability and impact.
• •Domain/trademark check: Ensure your top choices are available before committing.
• •Learn more: 10 Classic Business Naming Mistakes

Brand identity:

Core Prompt

Additional Considerations

• •Competitor analysis: "Analyze the branding of my top competitors to understand how to stand out in the market."
• •Messaging: "Suggest brand messaging pillars or key phrases that encapsulate our value proposition."
• •Inspiration: “Provide links to a few existing brands whose style I admire as reference points."

Example

Let’s say you’re launching a sustainable home goods store:

Tips

• •Iterate: Start broad, and get more specific as you go. It may take a few rounds of inputs to hone your ideal identity.
• •Consistency is key: A well-defined brand identity ensures a cohesive customer experience across all touchpoints.
• •Brand guide: Once finalized, document your brand identity elements for future reference.
• •Learn more: How to Brand Your Small Business

Logo design:

Core Prompt

Prompt Enhancements

• •Include relevant keywords: "Incorporate subtle visual metaphors or imagery related to [list keywords for your business or industry]."
• •Focus on a feeling: "Design a logo that evokes a specific emotion in the viewer, such as [excitement, trust, relaxation]."
• •Provide color preferences: "Use a palette of [list colors]. Otherwise, suggest colors that would work well for my industry and brand personality."
• •Set limitations: "Help me design a logo that works well in black and white and that will still be effective when scaled down to a small size."

Example

Imagine you run a travel company specializing in unique adventure tours:

Tips

• •Use inspiration: Look at existing logos you love, and describe what you like about them to provide references.
• •Keep it simple: The most iconic logos are memorable and avoid being overly complex.
• •Get feedback: Once you have some concepts, ask others for their opinions on clarity and impact.
• •Learn more: How to Create or Update Your Logo

Market Research:

Analyze potential target markets:

Core Prompt

Prompt Enhancements

• •Ideal customer behaviors: "Identify where my ideal customers spend their time (online and offline) and how they make purchasing decisions."
• •Niche markets: "Help me discover underserved niche markets with specific needs aligned with my offering."
• •Market fit: "Prioritize segments based on the level of problem-solution fit my product/service provides."
• •Feasibility: "Consider the accessibility and potential costs involved in reaching each target market."

Example

Let’s say you’ve developed a time-management app targeting busy professionals:

Tips

• •Start broad, then narrow: Begin with a wide range of possibilities, and then start giving the AI tool more specific direction as you narrow down your ideal target market.
• •Data is your friend: Utilize surveys, market research, and online tools to validate assumptions about each segment.
• •Embrace specificity: The more targeted and specific your market is, the easier it is to tailor your marketing and messaging.
• •Learn More: How to Define Your Target Market

Competitive research:

Core Prompt:

Additional Considerations

• •Emerging competitors: "Identify smaller or newer companies in the market that could become future threats."
• •Industry trends: "Assess how competitors are adapting to evolving trends, or if they are lagging behind."
• •SWOT analysis: "Summarize the analysis in a SWOT format (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) for each competitor."

Example

Let’s say you’re a graphic designer competing with both agencies and freelance designers:

Follow-up Prompt

Tips

• •"Secret shopper" mode: Once you’ve identified competitors using AI, go out in the real world and try interacting with those competitors as a potential customer to understand their sales process and client experience.
• •Look beyond direct rivals: Consider businesses offering substitutes to gain a wider competitive landscape view.
• •Regular Reviews: Conduct a competitor analysis periodically as markets and strategies evolve.
• •Learn More: How to Write a Competitive Analysis for Your Business Plan

Market sizes: 

Unfortunately, AI just isn’t ready to help much in this area. We recently experimented with trying to get AI to help with classic market research, and were surprised at the confident, yet 100% made-up responses that we got from the three most popular AI tools. As of February 2024, you’re really just much better off doing your own research and potentially purchasing a market research report from a reputable source.

Mission and Vision:

Create a mission statement: 

Core Prompt

Prompt Variations

• •Values-focused: "Help me write a mission statement that emphasizes our core values like [list 2-3 values]."
• •Impact-driven "Focus on the broader impact we strive to make on the world or our community."
• •Aspirational: "Draft a mission statement that envisions the future we aim to create."

Example

Let’s say you own a vegan bakery:

Tips

• •Think long-term: Mission statements should reflect your company's enduring aspirations.
• •Keep it short and sweet: Aim for clarity and a statement you can easily recite.
• •Iterate: Try several variations and get feedback from others before finalizing.
• •Learn more: How to Write a Mission Statement + 10 Great Examples

Create a value proposition:

Core Prompt

Prompt Variations

• •Problem-solution fit: "Focus my value proposition directly on how I provide a superior solution to my target customer's most pressing issue."
• •Quantifiable benefits: "Help me incorporate specific metrics or outcomes that demonstrate the value I provide (e.g., time saved, costs reduced, etc.)."
• •Customer's voice: "Write my value proposition using the language my target customer would use to describe their needs and desired outcomes."

Example

Let’s imagine you offer dog walking services with GPS tracking for pet owners:

Tips

• •Clarity is king: Use simple language; avoid jargon or overly complex claims.
• •Test and iterate: Try different drafts and see which resonates best with potential customers.
• •Placement matters: Ensure the value proposition is front and center on your website and marketing materials.
• •Learn more: How to Create a Unique Value Proposition + Examples

Marketing:

Brainstorm positioning ideas

Core Prompt:

Additional Elements to Include

• •Competitor landscape: List your top 3-5 competitors and how they currently position themselves.
• •Strengths and weaknesses: Clearly articulate your business's core strengths and areas for potential improvement.
• •Target market segments: Are there specific niches or customer segments within your broader market that could be uniquely targeted?
• •Desired perception: How do you want your ideal customer to perceive your brand (e.g., the premium option, the most innovative, the most accessible, etc.)?

Example Prompt

Tips

• •Be specific: Details bring focused results. Avoid generic descriptions.
• •Embrace differentiation: Emphasize what makes your offering truly unique.
• •Focus on your ideal customer: Understanding their needs is key to finding where you fit in the market
• •Learn More: How to Develop a Positioning Statement for Your Business

Brainstorm marketing ideas

Main Prompt:

Prompt Variations

• •Channel focused: "Suggest marketing tactics best suited to reach my target audience on [specific social media platform, email, etc.]."
• •Content-driven: "Develop content marketing ideas (blog topics, video themes, etc.) to attract my target audience and position my business as an expert in [industry]."
• •Competitive analysis: "Analyze my top competitor's marketing strategies. What are they doing well, and where can I find opportunities to differentiate my approach?"
• •Goal-specific: "Brainstorm promotional campaigns aligned with [specific goal - e.g., new product launch, holiday sales, email list growth]."

Example

Let’s say you have a pet grooming business:

Tips:

• •Experiment with different goals: Test prompts aimed at lead generation, customer acquisition, and even customer retention.
• •Budget constraints: Be specific about your budget, as this will significantly influence the feasibility of suggested ideas.
• •Iterate: Build on the AI’s suggestions to refine your marketing brainstorming further.
• •Learn more: How to Market Your Small Business

Write product descriptions

Core Prompt

Prompt Enhancements

• •Pain points: "Write product descriptions... emphasizing how it solves these customer pain points: [list pain points]."
• •Differentiators: "Write product descriptions... showcasing what makes this product unique from competitors: [mention differentiators]."
• •Sensory language: "Write product descriptions... using vivid, sensory language to make the product tangible and appealing."
• •Call-to-action: "Write product descriptions... concluding with a strong call-to-action that encourages purchase."

Example

Let’s say you’re selling a handcrafted leather journal:

Tips

• •Specificity is key: The more detailed your information about the product and target audience, the more tailored results will be.
• •Test variations: Try different tones and focus on various features/benefits to see what resonates most.
• •Keep it brief: Remember that product descriptions should be concise and easy to scan.

Draft blog posts

Core Prompt

Additional Considerations

• •Word count: "Write a blog post... approximately [word count] words long."
• •Keywords: "Incorporate the following keywords naturally throughout the blog post: [list your keywords]."
• •Structure: "Start with a compelling introduction, include [number] body paragraphs focusing on key subtopics, and finish with a clear call-to-action."
• •Sources: "Where relevant, use reliable sources to back up claims. List these sources at the end of the article."

Example

Let’s say you have a small farm supply business targeting backyard chicken owners:

Tips

• •Brainstorm blog topics: Use AI to help you brainstorm topics for blog posts and then filter the list based on your business and your knowledge of your customer.
• •Calls to action: Think about what you want the reader to do next (visit a product page, subscribe to a newsletter, leave a comment, etc.). Make sure you have a link or button on the page that helps the reader take the next step.
• •Proofreading: Remember, even AI-generated drafts need thorough editing for polish!

Create social media ads

Core Prompt:

Prompt Variations:

• •Visual focus: "Design ads using eye-catching imagery [describe ideal visuals - photos, illustrations, short videos, etc.]"
• •Ad targeting: "Suggest audience targeting options on [platform] to get my ads in front of the right people."
• •Budget guidance: "Develop ad concepts suitable for a small/medium/large budget."
• •Copywriting style: "Write ad copy that is [funny, informative, persuasive, etc.]"

Example

Let’s say you’re running a graphic design service:

Tips:

• •Platform matters: Tailor your prompt based on the ad format and style typical of the desired platform.
• •Experiment: Test variations on copy length, ad visuals, and calls to action to see what performs best.
• •Ad guidelines: Make sure you understand the specific ad requirements (character limits, image ratios, etc.) of the social media platform before finalizing your ads.

Create taglines and slogans

Core Prompt

Prompt Variations for a Specific Style

• •Rhyming slogans: "Generate a few taglines for [business name] that rhyme. Keep them simple and catchy."
• •Question-based slogans: "Write slogans for [business name] that pose a question to the customer, highlighting the problem we solve."
• •Play on words: "Can you develop some clever taglines for [business name] that use a play on words related to our industry?"

Example

Let’s say you have a sustainable cleaning products company called “Clean Earth.” Here’s how the prompts could look:

Main prompt:

Rhyming variation

Question variation

Tips

• •Experiment! Try different adjectives and differentiators for various options.
• •Keep it short and sweet: The most impactful slogans are brief and easy to remember.
• •Get external opinions: Ask others (not just AI!) for feedback on which slogans resonate the most.