ChatGPT Prompts for Small Business Marketing

Before writing any ads or posts, so everything speaks to the same person.

Act as a small business marketing strategist. My business is [BUSINESS TYPE] in [CITY OR MARKET]. We sell [PRODUCTS OR SERVICES] at [PRICE RANGE]. Our best customers so far are [DESCRIBE 2 OR 3 REAL CUSTOMERS]. Build a one page ideal customer profile: who they are, what problem sends them looking for us, what they worry about before buying, where they spend time online and offline, and the exact words they would use to describe their problem.

When your homepage or bio does not clearly say why someone should choose you.

Here is what my business does: [DESCRIPTION]. My main competitors are [COMPETITORS] and customers usually pick us because [REASONS]. Write 10 one sentence value propositions that say who we help, what result they get, and why us instead of the alternatives. Avoid buzzwords like innovative or world class. Then pick the strongest three and explain why each works.

When planning how to stand out in a crowded local market.

I run [BUSINESS TYPE] in [AREA]. Here is what I know about three competitors: [COMPETITOR NOTES, PRICES, REVIEWS, OFFERS]. Make a table comparing us on price, convenience, quality signals, offers, and how they talk to customers. Then list three gaps none of us fill well and suggest how my business could own one of them in its marketing.

When you want a realistic plan you can actually follow with limited time.

Create a simple 90 day marketing plan for [BUSINESS NAME], a [BUSINESS TYPE] with a budget of [MONTHLY BUDGET] and about [HOURS PER WEEK] hours a week for marketing. Our goal is [GOAL, E.G. 20 NEW CUSTOMERS A MONTH]. Split it into three months with weekly tasks, the channels to focus on, what to measure, and what to cut if something is not working by day 45.

When you are spread too thin across channels and need to focus.

My business is [BUSINESS TYPE] serving [CUSTOMER TYPE] in [AREA]. I can spend [BUDGET] and [HOURS] per week. Rank these channels for my situation: Google Business Profile, local SEO, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, email, paid search, referral programs, local partnerships, and flyers. For each, give one sentence on why it ranks there and the first task I would do this week.

When packaging a service or bundle so it is easier to sell.

I am launching [NEW OFFER] for [TARGET CUSTOMER]. It includes [WHAT IS INCLUDED] and costs [PRICE]. Suggest 15 names for it that are easy to say, describe the benefit, and fit a [TONE, E.G. FRIENDLY, PREMIUM] brand. Group them by style, and flag any that might sound like an existing big brand so I can check before using them.

When setting up a new social ad and you want several angles to test.

Write 5 versions of a Facebook and Instagram ad for [BUSINESS NAME] promoting [OFFER]. Audience: [AUDIENCE]. Each version needs a primary text under 125 characters, a headline under 40 characters, and a call to action button suggestion. Use a different angle for each: problem, result, social proof, urgency, and curiosity. Do not promise anything I cannot back up, and keep the tone [TONE].

When building or refreshing a local search campaign.

Write Google responsive search ad assets for [BUSINESS NAME], a [BUSINESS TYPE] in [CITY]. Target keyword: [KEYWORD]. Give me 15 headlines of 30 characters or fewer and 4 descriptions of 90 characters or fewer. Include the city in some headlines, mention [KEY BENEFIT] and [OFFER], and count the characters for each line so I can paste them straight in.

A few weeks before a holiday or busy season.

Plan a [HOLIDAY OR SEASON] promotion for [BUSINESS NAME]. We sell [PRODUCTS OR SERVICES] and our average sale is [AVERAGE SALE]. Suggest three promotion ideas that do not just slash prices, the dates to run each, the message for each channel we use ([CHANNELS]), and a simple way to tell if it worked. Keep the margin above [MINIMUM MARGIN].

When most of your best customers came from word of mouth and you want more.

Design a referral program for [BUSINESS TYPE] where customers spend about [AVERAGE SPEND] per visit. Suggest the reward for the referrer and the new customer, the rules, how to track it without special software, and the wording for a card, an email, and a text message asking happy customers to refer a friend.

When doing local print marketing or door to door drops.

Write copy for a [FLYER OR POSTCARD] for [BUSINESS NAME] to hand out in [LOCATION OR NEIGHBORHOOD]. Offer: [OFFER]. Include a headline under 8 words, three short benefit lines, the offer with an expiry date of [DATE], and a clear next step using [PHONE, URL OR QR CODE]. Then suggest a layout in plain words for whoever designs it.

When you have good reviews and want ads that sound like real customers.

Here are recent customer reviews: [PASTE REVIEWS]. Pull out the specific benefits, emotions, and phrases customers repeat. Turn the top five themes into short ad hooks I can use on social media, keeping the customers' own wording where possible. Do not invent details that are not in the reviews.

When an ad or post needs a page to send people to.

Write a short landing page for [OFFER] from [BUSINESS NAME]. Audience: [AUDIENCE]. Include a headline, a subheadline, three benefit sections, a section answering the top three objections ([OBJECTIONS]), a short FAQ, and one call to action repeated twice. Keep it under 500 words and write at a reading level a busy person can skim.

At the start of each month so you are not deciding what to post every day.

Create a 4 week social media calendar for [BUSINESS NAME], a [BUSINESS TYPE]. We post on [PLATFORMS] about [NUMBER] times a week. Mix tips, behind the scenes, customer stories, offers, and questions. For each post give the day, the format (photo, carousel, short video), a hook line, and a one sentence description of what to show.

When you made something good once and want to get more out of it.

Here is a piece of content I made: [PASTE BLOG, VIDEO TRANSCRIPT OR POST]. Turn it into: one Instagram caption, three short tips for Stories, one LinkedIn post, one email newsletter section, and five tweet length lines. Keep my voice, which is [DESCRIBE VOICE], and adjust the length to each platform.

When you want to start posting Reels or TikToks but do not know what to film.

Give me 20 short video ideas (under 60 seconds) for a [BUSINESS TYPE] that I can film on a phone with no editing skills. Audience: [AUDIENCE]. For each, give a hook for the first three seconds, what to film, and the caption. Prioritize ideas that show the work, answer common customer questions, or show a before and after.

When a customer gets a great result and agrees to be featured.

Turn this customer story into a social post: [STORY DETAILS, CUSTOMER FIRST NAME IF APPROVED, PROBLEM, WHAT WE DID, RESULT]. Structure it as problem, turning point, result, and a soft call to action. Keep it under 150 words, sound human, and avoid hype. Add a note reminding me to get the customer's permission before posting.

When the same questions keep coming in by phone or DM.

These are the questions customers ask us most: [LIST QUESTIONS]. For each, write a short, clear answer under 80 words that I can use as a social post, a website FAQ entry, and a pinned comment. Flag any answer where I should double check details like prices, times, or policies.

When you want to show you are part of the neighborhood, not just selling.

Write a post for [BUSINESS NAME] connecting us to the local community in [TOWN OR NEIGHBORHOOD]. Topic: [EVENT, CAUSE, LOCAL NEWS OR MILESTONE]. Make it warm and specific to the area, mention [PARTNER OR ORGANIZATION] if relevant, and end with an invitation rather than a sales pitch. Give a version for Facebook and a shorter one for Instagram.

When you start collecting emails and want new subscribers to buy.

Write a 3 email welcome sequence for new subscribers to [BUSINESS NAME]. They joined via [SIGNUP SOURCE]. Email 1: thank them and deliver [FREEBIE OR DISCOUNT]. Email 2: tell our story and what makes us different ([DIFFERENCE]). Email 3: share a customer favorite and invite them to [ACTION]. Give subject lines, preview text, and bodies under 150 words each.

When you have a list of past customers who quietly stopped coming back.

Write a short win back message for customers who have not bought from [BUSINESS NAME] in [TIME PERIOD]. Offer: [OFFER OR NONE]. Give an email version and a text message version under 160 characters. Make it friendly, not guilt tripping, and give them an easy way to reply or book.

When you want more calls and direction requests from local searches.

Help me improve my Google Business Profile for [BUSINESS NAME], a [BUSINESS TYPE] in [CITY]. Here is my current description and services: [PASTE]. Rewrite the business description under 750 characters, suggest the categories I should check, list 10 services with short descriptions, and give me four Google post ideas for this month.

Right after a job or visit goes well.

Write three short messages asking happy customers of [BUSINESS NAME] to leave a Google review: one for text, one for email, and one I can say in person. Include a spot for [REVIEW LINK]. Keep them under 60 words, make it easy, and do not offer anything in exchange for a review.

Once a month to stay in touch with your list.

Write this month's email newsletter for [BUSINESS NAME]. News to include: [UPDATES, NEW PRODUCTS, EVENTS]. Add one useful tip for [AUDIENCE] related to [TOPIC], and one offer: [OFFER]. Keep it under 300 words, give three subject line options, and make the main call to action [ACTION].

At the end of a month or campaign to decide where to spend next.

Here are my marketing numbers for the last [PERIOD]: [PASTE NUMBERS SUCH AS SPEND, LEADS, SALES, BY CHANNEL]. Calculate cost per lead and cost per customer for each channel where possible, point out what is working and what is not, and suggest three changes for next month. Tell me if the data is too thin to draw conclusions.