ChatGPT Prompts for Small Business Owners

Create a 90-day marketing plan for my small business.

Business type: [e.g., local bakery, online coaching, plumbing service]
Monthly marketing budget: [e.g., $500]
Current marketing channels: [e.g., Instagram, word of mouth, Google Business Profile]
Target customer: [e.g., homeowners aged 30-55 in [city]]
Biggest marketing challenge right now: [e.g., no online presence, low foot traffic, can't convert leads]

Build a 90-day plan broken into three phases:

**Month 1 — Foundation**:
- Which 2-3 channels to focus on and why
- Content calendar with specific post ideas (3x per week minimum)
- Quick wins I can execute this week with zero budget

**Month 2 — Momentum**:
- Paid advertising strategy with exact budget allocation
- Email list building tactic with a specific lead magnet idea
- One partnership or cross-promotion opportunity to pursue

**Month 3 — Optimization**:
- Which metrics to review and what "good" looks like for my business size
- A/B test ideas for my best-performing channel
- Referral program structure with specific incentive recommendations

For each tactic, include: estimated time commitment per week, expected results, and the one tool or platform I need.

Help me fully optimize my Google Business Profile to rank higher in local search.

Business name: [your business name]
Business type: [e.g., dental clinic, auto repair, florist]
Location: [city, state]
Services offered: [list your top 5-8 services]
What makes you different from competitors: [e.g., same-day service, family-owned since 1995, eco-friendly products]
Current GBP status: [new listing / claimed but basic / somewhat filled out]

Provide:

1. **Business description** (750 characters): Write an SEO-optimized description that includes my top services, location, and differentiators. Include a clear call-to-action.

2. **Category recommendations**: Primary category and 5-8 secondary categories I should select, ranked by search volume relevance.

3. **Services section**: Write descriptions for each service (150-300 characters each) using keywords local customers actually search for.

4. **Posts strategy**: Write 4 sample Google Posts — one offer, one update, one event, one product highlight — with compelling CTAs.

5. **Q&A seeding**: Write 8 questions and answers I should pre-populate, targeting common customer questions and local keywords.

6. **Review response templates**: Write 3 templates — one for 5-star reviews, one for 3-star reviews, one for 1-star reviews — that sound human and reference my business specifically.

7. **Photo checklist**: List the 10 specific photos I should upload with exact descriptions for each.

Write a 5-email follow-up sequence for customers after they purchase from my small business.

Business type: [e.g., home cleaning service, online boutique, consulting firm]
Product/service purchased: [what the customer bought]
Average order value: [e.g., $150]
Repeat purchase cycle: [e.g., monthly, quarterly, one-time with upsell opportunity]
Brand voice: [e.g., friendly and casual, professional, warm and personal]

Write these 5 emails with subject lines, preview text, and full body copy:

**Email 1 — Thank you (sent immediately)**:
Warm confirmation with a personal touch. Include what to expect next and a direct contact method if they need help.

**Email 2 — Value add (sent day 3)**:
Share a useful tip, care instruction, or how-to guide related to their purchase. No selling, just genuine helpfulness.

**Email 3 — Check-in (sent day 7)**:
Ask how things are going. Include a one-question satisfaction survey. Make it easy to reply with feedback.

**Email 4 — Social proof request (sent day 14)**:
Ask for a Google review or testimonial. Include a direct link and make it as frictionless as possible. Offer a small incentive if appropriate for my business type.

**Email 5 — Repeat purchase nudge (sent day 30)**:
Gentle reminder about reordering or booking again. Include a returning customer offer (suggest a specific discount percentage or perk that makes sense for my margins).

For each email, keep the copy under 150 words. Write in a tone that feels like it's from a real person, not a corporation.

Build a 30-day social media content calendar for my small business.

Business type: [e.g., fitness studio, pet grooming, accounting firm]
Primary platform: [Instagram / Facebook / TikTok / LinkedIn]
Posting frequency: [e.g., 5x per week]
Brand personality: [e.g., expert but approachable, fun and quirky, trusted advisor]
Products/services to promote: [list 3-5 key offerings]
Upcoming events or promotions: [any sales, launches, or holidays in the next 30 days]

Create a content calendar with:

**For each post, provide**:
- Day and date
- Content type (carousel, reel, story, static post, live)
- Topic and hook (the first line that stops the scroll)
- Full caption (with hashtag suggestions)
- Visual direction (what the image or video should show)
- Call-to-action

**Follow this content mix**:
- 40% value content (tips, how-tos, behind-the-scenes)
- 25% engagement content (questions, polls, user-generated content prompts)
- 20% promotional content (offers, product features, testimonials)
- 15% personal/brand story content (founder story, team highlights, community involvement)

Also include:
- 5 story ideas per week (quick, informal content)
- 2 reel/short video concepts with scripts under 30 seconds
- A hashtag strategy with 3 sets of 15 hashtags to rotate

Analyze and optimize the pricing strategy for my small business.

What I sell: [describe your product or service]
Current pricing: [your current prices for main offerings]
Cost per unit/service delivery: [your direct costs]
Monthly fixed overhead: [rent, insurance, subscriptions, etc.]
Local competitors and their prices:
- [Competitor A]: [their price]
- [Competitor B]: [their price]
- [Competitor C]: [their price]
Target monthly revenue: [your goal]
Current monthly customers: [approximate number]

Analyze my pricing across these dimensions:

1. **Margin analysis**: Calculate my true profit margin after all costs. Am I leaving money on the table or pricing myself out?

2. **Competitive positioning**: Where do I sit in the market (budget / mid-range / premium)? Is this where I should be based on my quality and brand?

3. **Price sensitivity test**: Based on my market, estimate the likely impact on sales volume if I raise prices by 10%, 20%, or 30%.

4. **Bundle opportunities**: Suggest 3 service/product bundles that increase average transaction value. Include specific pricing for each bundle with the perceived discount.

5. **Seasonal pricing**: Recommend peak and off-peak pricing adjustments based on typical demand patterns for my business type.

6. **Pricing psychology tactics**: 3 specific changes I can make tomorrow (anchoring, charm pricing, package naming) with exact numbers.

7. **Break-even recalculation**: How many customers do I need at each price point to cover my costs and hit my revenue target?

Write a clear, professional employee handbook section for my small business.

Business type: [e.g., restaurant, retail store, marketing agency]
Number of employees: [e.g., 8]
State/location: [for compliance context]
Section to write: [choose one: PTO policy / dress code / social media policy / remote work policy / workplace conduct / onboarding checklist]
Company culture in one sentence: [e.g., "We work hard but respect everyone's personal time"]

Write this handbook section with:

1. **Policy statement**: Clear, jargon-free explanation of the policy (what it is and why it exists)

2. **Specific guidelines**: Bullet-pointed rules that leave no room for ambiguity. Include:
   - What's expected
   - What's not acceptable
   - Any exceptions or special circumstances
   - Who to contact with questions

3. **Examples**: 2-3 real-world scenarios showing the policy in action (one straightforward, one edge case)

4. **Compliance notes**: Flag any legal requirements specific to my state that I should be aware of (note: remind me to verify these with an employment attorney)

5. **Acknowledgment template**: A brief sign-off statement employees can sign confirming they've read and understood the policy

Keep the tone professional but human — this should sound like it was written by a caring business owner, not a law firm. Use plain language a high school graduate would understand.

Write a professional payment reminder sequence for overdue invoices.

Business type: [e.g., freelance designer, consulting firm, contractor]
Typical invoice amount: [e.g., $2,000-$5,000]
Payment terms: [e.g., Net 30]
Client type: [e.g., small businesses, enterprise companies, individual consumers]
Tone preference: [firm but friendly / strictly professional / casual and understanding]

Write 5 messages in escalating firmness:

**Message 1 — Friendly reminder (3 days before due)**:
Subject line + email body. Gentle heads-up that payment is coming due. Include invoice number, amount, and payment link. Tone: helpful, not demanding.

**Message 2 — Past due notice (3 days after due)**:
Subject line + email body. Note that the invoice is now overdue. Reattach the invoice. Ask if there are any issues. Offer to discuss a payment plan if needed.

**Message 3 — Second reminder (14 days overdue)**:
Subject line + email body. More direct tone. Reference the original payment terms. Mention any late fees per your contract (suggest a standard late fee structure if I don't have one).

**Message 4 — Final notice (30 days overdue)**:
Subject line + email body. State that this is the final notice before further action. Be specific about what "further action" means (collections, pausing work, legal options).

**Message 5 — Phone call script (45 days overdue)**:
A brief phone call script — what to say in the first 30 seconds, how to handle common excuses, and how to get a specific payment commitment.

Also provide:
- 3 preventive measures I can implement to reduce late payments going forward
- Template language for my contracts/invoices to set clear payment expectations upfront

Write a local SEO blog post that helps my small business rank for nearby customer searches.

Business type: [e.g., plumber, dentist, personal trainer]
Location: [city and surrounding areas you serve]
Target keyword: [e.g., "best plumber in [city]" or "[service] near me"]
Specific service to highlight: [e.g., emergency drain repair, teeth whitening, weight loss coaching]
What makes you the local choice: [e.g., 20 years in the community, same-day service, locally owned]

Write a 1,200-word blog post that includes:

1. **SEO-optimized title**: Include the city name and primary keyword naturally

2. **Opening paragraph**: Address a specific local pain point (reference local context like weather, housing styles, or community characteristics that affect demand for this service)

3. **Body sections** (use H2 and H3 headers):
   - Why [city] residents need this service (localized reasoning)
   - What to look for when choosing a provider (position yourself as the expert)
   - Your process explained step-by-step (builds trust and targets long-tail keywords)
   - Pricing transparency section (even ranges help — people search "[service] cost [city]")
   - Local references: mention 2-3 neighborhoods, landmarks, or community events naturally

4. **Local trust signals**: Weave in mentions of local involvement, years in the area, and community reputation

5. **FAQ section**: 5 questions with concise answers targeting "People Also Ask" queries

6. **Meta description**: Under 155 characters, includes city and keyword

7. **Internal linking suggestions**: Where this post should link to on my website

Include a natural call-to-action that feels helpful rather than salesy.

Create a customer satisfaction survey for my small business that actually gets responses.

Business type: [e.g., hair salon, IT support, catering company]
Survey goal: [e.g., improve service quality, understand why customers leave, gather testimonials]
How the survey will be sent: [email / text message / printed QR code / in-app]
Incentive for completing (if any): [e.g., 10% off next visit, entry into drawing]

Design a survey with:

1. **Opening message** (2-3 sentences): Why their feedback matters and how long this takes (under 2 minutes)

2. **Questions (8-10 total)** — mix of types:
   - 2 rating scale questions (1-5 stars) for overall satisfaction and likelihood to recommend (NPS)
   - 3 multiple choice questions about specific aspects of the experience (service speed, quality, communication, value for money)
   - 2 yes/no questions for quick data points (would you return, have you recommended us)
   - 1 open-ended question that surfaces actionable insights (keep it specific, not "any feedback?")

3. **Conditional logic**: If they rate below 3 stars, include a follow-up question asking what would have made it a 5

4. **Testimonial capture**: For 4-5 star ratings, ask "Can we share your feedback on our website?" with a yes/no checkbox

5. **Closing message**: Thank them, remind them of the incentive, include a personal touch

Also provide:
- The exact text message or email to send with the survey link (under 50 words)
- Best time to send the survey after the service/purchase
- What to do with the results: a simple analysis framework for small business owners who aren't data scientists

Write compelling product descriptions for my small business website or online store.

Business type: [e.g., handmade jewelry shop, organic skincare, specialty food store]
Product name: [name of the product]
Product details: [materials, dimensions, ingredients, key specs]
Price: [your price point]
Target customer: [who buys this — age, interests, occasion]
Brand voice: [e.g., luxurious and refined, earthy and natural, fun and playful]
Where this will be displayed: [website product page / Etsy / Amazon / social media]

Write 4 versions of the product description:

1. **Website version (150-200 words)**:
   - Lead with the emotional benefit, not the features
   - Include sensory language that helps the customer imagine owning/using it
   - Weave in 3-5 SEO keywords naturally
   - Close with a scarcity or urgency element if appropriate
   - Format with short paragraphs and bullet points for scanability

2. **Marketplace version (100-150 words)**:
   - Front-load keywords for search visibility on Etsy/Amazon
   - Include specific dimensions, materials, and care instructions
   - Address the top 3 questions buyers ask before purchasing

3. **Social media version (50-75 words)**:
   - Scroll-stopping first line
   - Emoji-friendly, casual tone
   - End with a clear CTA and relevant hashtags

4. **Email feature version (75-100 words)**:
   - Subject line that gets opens
   - Brief story or use case that makes the product feel essential
   - Single CTA button text

For each version, highlight which psychological trigger you're using (social proof, scarcity, authority, reciprocity, or emotional appeal).

Write a compelling executive summary for my small business plan.

Business name: [your business name]
Business type: [what you do — product or service]
Year founded or planned launch: [year]
Location: [where you operate]
Current status: [pre-launch / first year / established and growing]
Revenue (current or projected Year 1): [amount]
Funding needed (if any): [amount and what it's for]
Team size: [number of people]

Write a 1-page executive summary (400-500 words) that covers:

1. **The hook** (2 sentences): The market problem in vivid, specific terms that makes the reader immediately understand the opportunity

2. **The solution** (3-4 sentences): What your business does differently. Focus on the outcome for the customer, not the features of your product.

3. **Market opportunity** (3-4 sentences): Size of the addressable market with one compelling data point. Who your customers are and why they're underserved by current options.

4. **Business model** (3-4 sentences): How you make money, your pricing, your margins, and what makes this sustainable. Include one proof point (early revenue, pre-orders, LOIs, pilot results).

5. **Traction** (3-4 sentences): What you've accomplished so far. Metrics that show momentum — customer count, revenue growth rate, partnerships, press, waitlist size.

6. **Competitive advantage** (2-3 sentences): Why competitors can't easily copy what you do. Be specific and honest — "better customer service" is not a moat.

7. **The team** (2-3 sentences): Why this team is uniquely positioned to win. Reference relevant experience, domain expertise, or unfair advantages.

8. **Financial snapshot**: One line each for projected Year 1 revenue, Year 2 revenue, and path to profitability.

9. **The ask** (2 sentences): What you need (investment, partnership, loan) and exactly what you'll do with it.

Write in a confident, concise tone. Avoid jargon, buzzwords, and superlatives. Every sentence should earn its place.

Run a competitive analysis focused on my local market so I can find gaps and win more customers.

My business: [what you do]
My location: [city/neighborhood]
My 4 closest competitors:
1. [Name — what they do well, what they charge]
2. [Name — what they do well, what they charge]
3. [Name — what they do well, what they charge]
4. [Name — what they do well, what they charge]
What I think my advantage is: [your perceived differentiator]

Analyze my local competitive landscape:

1. **Google presence audit**: Based on what I've shared, which competitor likely dominates local search and why? What are the key ranking factors I should prioritize?

2. **Pricing positioning map**: Plot all competitors and me on a price vs. quality/service level grid. Identify where the market gap is.

3. **Service gap analysis**: List services or features my competitors offer that I don't, and vice versa. Identify the #1 unmet need in this local market.

4. **Online reputation comparison**: Based on typical review patterns for this business type, what review count and rating should I target? Write a plan to get there in 90 days.

5. **Customer switching triggers**: List the top 5 reasons customers in my industry switch providers. For each trigger, describe how I can position myself as the better alternative.

6. **Marketing channel analysis**: For each competitor, identify their likely primary marketing channel. Find the channel none of them are using effectively.

7. **30-day action plan**: Based on this analysis, give me a prioritized list of 10 actions I can take in the next 30 days to gain market share. Rank by impact and effort.

Be specific to my business type and local market dynamics — generic advice is useless for small businesses competing block by block.