AI prompts for small business owners

The news is abuzz with generative AI lately, with new AI-powered tools, information and updates coming at a frenzied pace. And while the technology surrounding AI continues to adapt and shift, small business owners are curious to know all about how AI tools can help them manage and grow their businesses.

We’ve got you covered.

As a small business owner, you know that every moment and resource counts, and this is where generative AI can help save the day. Automate tasks like content creation, social media management, and even customer support with AI-generated content.

And, the best part? You’ll have more time to focus on what you truly love – growing your business and reaching new heights. Generative AI is the perfect addition to your small business toolkit!

GoDaddy’s AI prompt library

Before getting started, you’ll need to create an account through the AI chatbot service of your choice. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

Prompts

We’ve organized the prompts by category as shown at left.

Disclaimer: We’re excited to recommend the use of generative AI technology to small businesses, but please be aware that this technology is still in its early stages of development and its effectiveness may vary depending on the circumstances. Additionally, avoid entering sensitive information as AI chatbot systems will save your input, and make sure to review the output for accuracy, as it may be incorrect, inaccurate, or out of date.

Starting a business

  1. As an experienced business strategist in the <industry> field, could you share some key factors that are crucial to consider while brainstorming a name for a new <industry> company?
  2. Imagine you are a renowned brand strategist. Could you suggest 25 unique and catchy business names suitable for a company in the <industry> field?
  3. Assume the role of a top-tier marketing expert launching a new <industry> business. What comprehensive marketing strategies would you recommend for its successful introduction and promotion in the market?
  4. As an experienced project manager in the <industry> industry, can you share some proven project management techniques that could streamline operations in my <industry> business?
  5. Acting as a seasoned <product or service> launch expert, outline the key factors, stages, and strategies that are crucial to successfully launching a <product or service> company. This includes advice on product development, manufacturing, pricing, distribution, marketing, sales, and post-launch activities such as customer service and product improvement.
  6. Pretend you are the target customer for <vertical> businesses. List your top 10 preferences when choosing a <business type> and then list the 5 most popular competitors.
  7. What social media sites and domain TLDs are most important for a <vertical> business?
  8. Act as a branding expert and write a USP for a <vertical> business. Ask me 2-5 questions about the audience, goals, products, and brand, until you are confident you can come up with a strong USP. Be creative.
  9. My strongest skills include: <skills>, I have a strong interest in: <interests>, the most I’m comfortable investing in a business is: <budget>. Act as a business coach and idea generator for aspiring entrepreneurs. Be clear and concise. Give me 10 ideas on businesses that suit my skills and interests that I could start with my budget.
  10. As a small business owner starting a <vertical> business, what are the essential steps I need to take to ensure success?
  11. Basics of launching a successful <product> company: What are the important things I need to know to launch a successful <product> company?
  12. What are the most common mistakes to avoid when starting a <vertical> business?
  13. As a <adjective> <vertical> business owner in <city/state>, what are the first steps I should take to get started?
  14. What are my options for funding a <vertical> business with a <budget> budget?
  15. What are some effective ways to secure funding for a <adjective> <vertical> startup?
  16. Validating my <product> idea: How can I test my idea in the market before investing heavily in my new <vertical> business?
  17. List all of the topics that should be included in a business plan to ensure success.
  18. Act as a team of extremely successful businesspersons in <vertical> who have achieved repeated, great success. (Then add one of the following as a follow-up prompt):
    • Write a 1-page business plan on <business idea>
      (You may then request each topic is expanded on)
    • Write a comprehensive business plan for <business idea>
    • Write a comprehensive business plan for <business idea> in <city/state/country or online>

Business websites

  1. Act as a marketing copywriter and ask me for an existing product description to rewrite. Then rewrite the product description so it’s more effective at converting prospects into customers.
  2. Ask me 2-5 questions to understand the company’s mission, values, team, history, location, USP, team, and any other relevant details that would be of interest to potential customers until you can write an <adjective> ‘About Us’ section with 500 words for a <vertical>. Use placeholders for my business name.
  3. Ask me 2-5 questions to understand my company’s product, its distinguishing features, and the target audience until you can write a compelling product description.
  4. What are the most important features to include on a <adjective> <vertical> business website?
  5. How can I effectively utilize <adjective> call-to-actions on my <vertical> business website to drive sales?
  6. Act as a seasoned website copywriter and write a landing page for a <adjective> <vertical> business website that showcases the features, advantages, and benefits of <product or service> for < target audience>.
  7. Write a landing page for a <adjective> <vertical> business website that uses social proof to build trust and credibility with visitors.
  8. Write a FAQ page that answers common questions that visitors may have about <company>, <product>, or <service>.
  9. What are the must-have key elements and content I need on my business website for <vertical> in <city,state or online> for a high-converting, successful <vertical> business?
  10. What are some effective strategies for driving traffic to a <vertical> website using <social platform> in <city/state>?
  11. Act as a website copywriter and write a hero headline that showcases the benefits of <product or service> for <target audience>.
  12. Write a subheader that provides more detail about <headline> for <target audience>.
  13. How can I conduct user research to better understand the needs and preferences of my <target audience> for my website?

Business decisions

  1. Act as a business consultant with a expertise on product-line expansion and provide 5 new products that a business in <vertical> can provide that already sells <product>.
  2. Act as a marketing expert and identify the top 3 emotions, pain points and aspirations of customers of <vertical> businesses.
  3. What are 5 common mistakes that <vertical> businesses make and share ideas on how businesses can reduce the risk of such mistakes.
  4. Ask me 2-5 questions to understand my business and then recommend a growth strategy from the perspective of a world-renowned growth hacker. Prioritize unique, low-cost strategies.
  5. Act as a business consultant conducting a competitive analysis. Put together an analysis of <vertical> and these competitors: <competitors>. Assess the differences and similarities between the competitors. Focus on pricing, market positioning, branding, and messaging. Present all information in detailed reports that include charts, graphs, and tables. Based on all the information, let me know how <company> can improve against its competitors.

Customer service

  1. Act as a customer service coach that’s exceptionally courteous, friendly and respectful. Provide advice on replying to a customer that inquired about <topic>.
  2. Act as a social media expert. Coach me on responding to a customer who left a negative review. Help me be empathetic, let the customer know we hear their issue and that we’ll try to fix the problem. The customer had complaints about <topic>.
  3. Act as a conflict resolution specialist and share effective strategies for handling difficult customers and resolving conflicts in the <industry> industry. Provide practical techniques for de-escalation, active listening, and turning challenging situations into positive experiences.
  4. Embody an experienced problem solver and share effective strategies for handling customer complaints in <industry> businesses. Provide a framework for empathetic listening, prompt resolution, and transforming complaints into opportunities to build customer loyalty.

Boosting sales

  1. Act as a top performing sales person in the <vertical> business and share the top 5 sales objections and recommendations for how to overcome them.
  2. Act as a top performing sales person in the <vertical> business and suggest 5 tactics to create a sense of urgency to drive conversions of leads to sales.
  3. Act as an avid customer of a <vertical> business and share the top 5 considerations you have when choosing a business.
  4. Share 3 effective strategies for building trust and rapport with potential customers.
  5. As a growth-focused entrepreneur, identify five effective strategies for increasing sales for a <adjective> <vertical> business.
  6. Embodying the mindset of a data-driven business owner, determine three effective ways to measure the effectiveness of sales strategies for a <vertical> company.
  7. As a persuasive sales strategist, propose three different effective ways to incentivize <target audience> to make a purchase for a <vertical> business in <city/state>.
  8. Channeling the expertise of a competitive market navigator, outline effective sales techniques for a <vertical> business operating in a competitive market.
  9. As a seasoned entrepreneur with valuable lessons learned, describe common mistakes to avoid when trying to boost sales for a <vertical> company.
  10. Embodying the approach of a customer-centric business owner, explain how to effectively upsell and cross-sell your <product> to existing customers.
  11. As a sales funnel architect, identify the key components of a successful sales funnel for a <vertical> business.
  12. Channeling the insight of a relationship-building expert, recommend tactics for building and nurturing relationships with potential <vertical> clients or customers.
  13. As an analytical entrepreneur, explore how you leverage sales data and analytics to continuously improve your <vertical> business’s sales performance.
  14. With the skills of a social media-savvy business owner, describe effective ways to use social media to drive sales for a <vertical> business.
  15. Assume the role of a resourceful professional and compose a cold email that provides valuable insights or resources related to <topic>. Position yourself as a helpful industry expert, offering valuable information that establishes your credibility and fosters a connection with <target audience>.
  16. Embody a problem-solving mindset and write a cold email that follows the problem-solution model to showcase how <product or service> can effectively solve <pain point> for <target audience>. Clearly present the problem, highlight the unique solution you offer, and demonstrate the value they will gain by choosing your product or service.

Productivity

  1. Act like a lean startup guru. As an entrepreneur in the <vertical> industry, what are some lean methods and productivity techniques that have been proven to help businesses like mine achieve more with limited resources?
  2. Act like a cultural change consultant. How can I create a culture of continuous improvement and efficiency in my <vertical> company?
  3. Embody an IT specialist and seasoned project manager and recommend project management tools or software that can help my <vertical> team stay organized and on track?
  4. What are the best practices for setting realistic goals and objectives for my <vertical> business?
  5. How can I effectively delegate tasks and responsibilities to help my <vertical> team develop new <skills> and focus on high-impact activities?
  6. Act as a seasoned business consultant. What are some proven techniques for boosting productivity within a <vertical> business that can be implemented to drive better results?
  7. In your experience as a business consultant, what effective metrics or methods can be used to measure employee productivity within a <vertical> company to ensure optimal performance?
  8. Drawing from your expertise as a business consultant, what are some practical strategies for managing time and tasks effectively within a <vertical> business to maximize productivity?
  9. Leveraging your knowledge as a business consultant, which innovative tools or software have proven effective for entrepreneurs in enhancing productivity within a <vertical> company?
  10. Based on your experience as a business consultant, what common pitfalls or mistakes should be avoided to improve productivity within a <vertical> business?

Marketing a business

  1. Act as a business consultant helping me build a profitable business. What are the most critical metrics to track for a <vertical> business?
  2. Act as a marketing expert for SMBs. Be succinct and prioritize content that drives sales.
  3. Build a content calendar for the next 6 months with topics for a <vertical> business that accounts for relevant holidays. I want the calendar to be monthly.
  4. Act as a marketing expert for SMBs. Prioritize unique ideas that are effective at converting.
  5. Create 3 captivating offers and CTAs to sell <product> to <target audience>.
  6. Act as a social media expert for SMBs. Be detailed and action-oriented. Give me 5 easy to execute ideas on leveraging social media to boost Sales in <vertical> business.
  7. Generate SEO keywords for a <vertical> business.
  8. What are 5 low-cost marketing strategies that a <vertical> business could use to grow its customer base?
  9. Write a <adjective> newsletter for a <vertical> business, and make sure to mention <topic> and <offer> with a strong CTA.
  10. Act as a marketing expert helping me identify a target audience. Ask me 2-5 questions about the audience, goals, products, and brand, until you can succinctly define the audience in a 200-word description.
  11. Act as a marketing expert helping develop marketing goals for a business. Ask me 2-5 questions about the business, products, and brand and the responses to summarize the top five marketing goals for the business.
  12. Act as an expert SEO consultant who needs to create a list of keywords and a targeting strategy for <vertical>. Choose relevant keywords, taking into account the monthly search volume and competition for each keyword. My objective is to rank first organically for these keywords, and you need to put together a strategy for these keywords to maximize the potential that my website can rank higher in search results. Include keyword difficulty and rank them by the ones that are easiest. Show results in a table format.
  13. What are some effective strategies for marketing a <adjective> <vertical> business on <social platform> in <city/state>?
  14. As a community-focused marketing expert, develop a local marketing plan for <location> that leverages community events and partnerships to increase brand awareness for <company> in <vertical> industry.
  15. Embodying the mindset of a targeted advertising specialist, design a hyperlocal advertising campaign using geotargeting techniques to reach potential customers in <location> area for <company> in <vertical> industry.
  16. With the expertise of a content marketer, create locally-focused content, such as blog posts or videos, to showcase your expertise and connect with the local audience in <location>.
  17. As a customer-centric entrepreneur, share an outline of three strategies for implementing a referral or loyalty program that rewards local customers for their support and encourages them to share your business with their network.
  18. Embody an expert and act as a personalized and engaging email marketing service provider. Craft a welcome email that introduces new subscribers to the exciting world of <company or offer> and motivates them to take immediate action toward their goals.
  19. Channel the voice of a trusted advisor and write a welcome email that addresses the specific pain points and needs of <target audience>. Showcase how <your product or service> can alleviate those pain points and offer a personalized solution that resonates with their desires.
  20. Act as a master storyteller and write an email that captivates <target audience> by showcasing the tangible benefits of <product or service>. Utilize creative storytelling techniques to weave a narrative that emotionally resonates with their aspirations and needs, inspiring them to make a purchase.
  21. Embody the expertise of a seasoned industry leader and share valuable tips, insights, or resources related to <topic> with <target audience>. Provide actionable advice and practical knowledge that empowers them to overcome challenges and achieve success in their endeavors.
  22. Act as an intriguing communicator and craft a cold email that sparks curiosity in <target audience>. Utilize the curiosity gap technique to create an irresistible desire for more information about <product or service>, prompting them to engage with your offer.
  23. Take on the role of a knowledgeable expert and write a follow-up email that addresses common objections and concerns that <target audience> may have about <product or service>. Provide reassuring answers and offer additional information to alleviate any hesitations and motivate them to take the next step.
  24. Channel a genuine and appreciative tone to write a thank-you note that expresses gratitude for the time and attention of <target audience>. Encourage future engagement with <company or product> by expressing a sincere desire to provide ongoing value and support.

Social media advertising

  1. As a persuasive copywriter for modern consumers, write a <social platform> ad that uses the AIDA model to promote <product or service> for <target audience>.
  2. Channeling the expertise of a trust-building marketer, write a <social platform> ad that uses social proof to build trust and credibility with <target audience> and promote <product or service>.
  3. Embodying the tactics of a skilled urgency creator, write a <social platform> ad that uses the scarcity principle to create urgency and promote <product or service> for <target audience>.
  4. With the precision of a results-driven copywriter, write a <social platform> text ad that uses the AIDA model to promote <product or service> for <target audience>.
  5.  As an empathetic communicator, write a <social platform> text ad that uses emotional language to appeal to <target audience> and promote <product or service>.
  6. Assuming the role of an engaging wordsmith, write a <social platform> text ad that uses a question or keyword to engage <target audience> and promote <product or service>.
  7.  As a detail-oriented product expert, write a <social platform> post that showcases the unique features and benefits of <product or service> for <target audience>.
  8. Inspired by a customer-focused storyteller, write a <social platform> post that highlights a customer success story and promotes <product or service> for <target audience>.
  9. As an inventive community builder, write a <social platform> post that encourages user-generated content related to <product or service> from <target audience>.
  10. With the insight of a trend-savvy promoter, write a <social platform> post that leverages current events or trends to promote <product or service> for <target audience>.

Personal development

  1. Act like a performance coach. I’m looking to set meaningful and achievable goals for my entrepreneurial journey. Could you guide me on how to formulate such goals and provide strategies for reaching them?
  2. Act like a productivity expert. Time management is a critical aspect of entrepreneurship. Could you share some effective strategies to help me manage my time better and boost my productivity?
  3. Act like a motivational coach. As an entrepreneur, maintaining motivation and self-discipline can be challenging. Could you provide advice or strategies to boost my motivation and enhance self-discipline?
  4. Embody a career coach. I want to cultivate a growth mindset to consistently improve myself and my business. Can you share actionable strategies to develop this mindset?
  5. Act like a leadership coach. I’m keen on enhancing my leadership abilities by improving my emotional intelligence. Could you provide some practical exercises or techniques to aid in this?
  6. Act like a business strategist. In the face of business adversities, resilience is key. Can you help me devise a robust resilience plan to handle the challenges that may arise in my <vertical> venture?
  7. Act like a career counselor. I’m interested in performing a personal SWOT analysis to identify my strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Could you guide me through this process?
  8. Act like a personal coach. I’m eager to master <skills>. Can you devise a beginner-friendly, 30-day skill development agenda specifically tailored for me?
  9. Act like a communication expert. Effective communication and strong interpersonal skills are crucial for entrepreneurship. Could you provide some tips and exercises to help me improve these areas?
  10. Act like a master in networking. Networking is an important part of growing my business. Could you provide some strategies or tips for effective networking and building valuable business relationships?
  11. Act like a conflict resolution specialist. Can you provide a step-by-step guide on how to effectively resolve conflicts within my team or with clients, and strategies for successful negotiation in business settings?
  12. Act like a relationship coach. Building and maintaining strong professional relationships is key in business. Could you share some strategies and best practices for fostering and sustaining these relationships?
  13. Act like a life coach. As an entrepreneur, confidence is key. Could you provide some exercises or techniques that will help me build my confidence and present myself assertively in business settings?

Copywriting

  1. Act like a marketer creating a value proposition and write a value proposition that highlights the unique selling points of <product or service> for <target audience>.
  2. Act like a product copywriter and write a persuasive product description using sensory language to appeal to <target audience>.
  3. Act like a social media manager and write a social media post that uses social proof to promote <product or service> for <target audience>.
  4. Act like a marketer creating urgency: Write a sales copy using the scarcity principle to create urgency and promote <product or service> for <target audience>.
  5. Act as a <adjective> marketing email service provider and write a welcome email that introduces new subscribers to <company or offer> and encourages them to take action.
  6. Act like a copywriter and write an email that uses storytelling to showcase the benefits of <product or service> for <target audience>.
  7. Act like an intelligent problem solver and write a cold email that uses the problem-solution model to showcase how <product or service> can solve <pain point> for <target audience>.
  8. Act as a copywriting expert and write a blog post about <topic> around 1000 words, optimized with SEO for a <vertical> business.
  9. Act as a digital marketer and write a Facebook ad for <vertical> business in <city/state>, optimizing for CTR and Quality Score. Use a placeholder to reference my business.
  10. Act as a digital marketer and write a Google search ad for <vertical> business in <city,state>, optimizing for CTR and Quality Score. Use placeholders for my business name and URL.
  11. Act as a digital marketer and write an Instagram ad for <vertical> business, in <city/state>, optimizing for CTR and Quality Score.  Use a placeholder to reference my business.
  12. Act as a digital marketer and write an engaging subject line for an email from a <vertical> business about <topic>. Keep the subject line below 60 characters.
  13. Write a <adjective> social media bio for <social platform> for a <vertical> business.
  14. Write a <adjective> tagline for a <vertical> business.
  15. Write an engaging title for a blog post about <topic>.
  16. Write an engaging, <adjective> Facebook post about <topic> for a <vertical> business.
  17. Write an engaging, <adjective> Instagram post about <topic> for a <vertical> business.
  18. Write an engaging, <adjective> Twitter post about <topic> for a <vertical> business.
  19. Act as a digital marketer and provide 5 topics for social media posts for a <vertical> business that targets <target audience>. Be creative and prioritize ideas that will stand-out.
  20. Follow up prompt: I like topic <idea # from the list>. Can you turn it into a blog?
  21. Act as a expert blog writer. Draft a blog post about my <vertical>. Research the market and write a 500-1000 word blog post that is engaging, informative, and relevant. The tone and voice for the brand should be <adjective>. I need this blog post to captivate readers with a headline that will get a high CTR.
  22. Write a sales copy using the FAB model about <product name> for <target audience>.
  23. Write a sales copy using the problem-solution model that highlights how <product or service> can solve <pain point> for <target audience>.
  24. Act like a friendly salesperson and write a cold email that uses the curiosity gap technique to grab the attention of <target audience> for <product or service>.
  25. As a curiosity-inducing copywriter, write a persuasive email subject line using the curiosity gap technique for <topic>.
  26. Channeling the finesse of a problem-solving communicator, write a social media post using the PAS formula to promote <topic>.
  27. Embodying the approach of a tactful business developer, write a cold email using the problem-agitate-solve model to pitch <product or service>.
  28. As an inspiring storyteller, write a before-and-after bridge story that highlights the benefits of <product or service>.
  29. With the expertise of a knowledgeable content creator, write a listicle that provides valuable tips or insights related to <topic>.
  30. Inspired by the narrative of a data-driven analyst, write a case study that showcases how <product or service> helped a <target audience> achieve their goals.

Improve your writing

Feedback on your writing

  1. Please review my writing above and provide suggestions to improve the clarity and coherence of the content. Additionally, kindly correct any spelling and grammar errors that you may identify.

Expand on your writing

  1. Create an outline on <your subject> for a <blog post, article, book>.
  2. Expand on this outline and write a <article/paragraph/etc>.
  3. Write about the different types of <topic>, focusing on <list subtopics>. First, discuss <first subtopic>.
  4. Please act as a <blog writer, seasoned author, etc.> and expand upon and write a long form text on'<insert a brief summary of your topic>.
  5. Using the summary <insert a brief summary of your topic>, please discuss the implications for <related subject>.

Generate a summary

  1. Please summarize the article titled <insert article title> by <insert author> in 250 words or less, highlighting the most important points and arguments.
  2. Provide a bullet-point summary of the report titled <insert report title> in 10 points or less, highlighting the key findings and recommendations.
  3. Summarize the research paper titled <insert paper title> in 500 words or less, breaking down the paper into sections and providing a brief summary of each section.

Video script writing

  1. Act like a master storyteller and write a <audio, video, presentation, webinar, etc> script that uses storytelling to showcase the benefits of <product or service> for <target audience>. Use creative and engaging storytelling techniques to help the <target audience >connect with the <product or service>, and highlight the benefits that are most relevant to them.
  2. Act like an educator and write an <audio, video, presentation, webinar, etc> script that explains complex concepts or processes related to <product or service> in simple, easy-to-understand language.
  3. Act like a problem solver and write an <audio, video, presentation, webinar, etc> script that addresses common challenges or pain points faced by <target audience>, and explains how <product or service> can help solve those problems. Include the most pressing challenges or pain points faced by the <target audience>, and explain how the <product or service> can help alleviate those issues.
  4. Act like an entertainer and write an <audio, video, presentation, webinar, etc> script that uses humor or entertainment to engage <target audience> and promote <product or service>. Use a combination of humor, storytelling, and creative visuals to make the content engaging and memorable, while still effectively promoting the product or service.
  5. Act like a creative marketer and write an <audio, video, presentation, webinar, etc> script that provides a tutorial or demonstration of <product or service> for <target audience>. Use clear and concise language to explain the product or service, and provide step-by-step instructions and suggestions of visual images to help the audience understand and use it.
  6. Act like an industry expert in <vertical> and write <audio, video, presentation, webinar, etc> script that provides valuable insights or tips related to <topic> for <target audience>. Use your expertise and knowledge to provide valuable insights and actionable tips that the audience can use to improve their business or personal life with <product or service>, and position yourself as an authority in the industry.
  7. Act like a marketer building trust and credibility and write a <audio, video, presentation, webinar, etc> script that showcases customer testimonials and reviews to build trust and credibility with <target audience>. Use real-life examples and testimonials from satisfied customers to demonstrate the effectiveness and reliability of the product or service.
  8. Act like a visionary and write an <audio, video, presentation, webinar, etc> script that showcases the long-term benefits and potential of <product or service>, and how it can help <target audience> achieve their goals and aspirations.
  9. Act like a thought leader and write an <audio, video, presentation, webinar, etc> script that explores emerging trends or issues in the industry, and offers unique perspectives or insights on how <product or service> can help address those trends or issues. Include emerging trends or topics in <industry>, and offer unique perspectives or insights on how this <product or service> can help address them.

Prompt variables

Variable Definition Example
<vertical> This is the specific industry that a business operates in Children’s Fashion, Soft Drinks, Men’s Jewelry, etc
<adjective> These are words that describe an item with characteristics Fun, serious, jolly, etc
<social platform> The service where groups interact Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc
<topic> The area of interest Starting a side-hustle
<offer> The deal or promotion being presented to customers 30% off your next new GoDaddy purchase with the code “godaddyai”
<city/state> This refers to the city and/or state for the business Tempe, Arizona
<target audience> Description of the group of people most likely interested in the product or topic Everyday Entrepreneurs, Parents, etc
<product> The item offered for sale to customers. It can be a physical item or a service Candles, T-Shirts, Marketing Services, etc
<company> The name of your company Cindy’s Candles, Tubular T-shirts, Better Biz Consulting
<idea # from list> Reference a previous item that was listed out by the AI in a previous prompt Topic #2 from the social post ideas, idea 3 from startup ideas
<skills> A list of your skills and competencies marketing, home decor, writing, coaching
<interests> A list of your hobbies and interests gardening, dogs, art, yoga
<budget> A budget for your project $5000, $100, $10,000