Running a small business can feel like juggling chainsaws while doing your own taxes — thrilling, but not recommended.
That’s where AI steps in. Tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Jasper, and Perplexity can help you plan, write, and even market faster than you can say, “Wait, I can automate this?”
The magic isn’t in the tool — it’s in the prompt. Here are ten tried-and-true prompts that help entrepreneurs get more done (and a peek at how different AI tools tackle the same job).
1. The One-Page Business Plan
Prompt:
“You are a startup advisor. Help me outline a simple one-page business plan for a [type of business]. Include audience, revenue streams, startup costs, and first 90-day priorities.”
ChatGPT delivers a conversational, bullet-point plan with next steps — quick, confident, and easy to follow.
Claude produces a thoughtful, structured layout that feels like a mentor’s whiteboard session — great for clarity and reasoning.
Gemini adds real-world stats and recent data (e.g., “According to a 2025 SBA report…”) — ideal if you want research baked in.
Result: a fast, data-informed roadmap without the MBA tuition bill.
2. Meet Your Dream Customer
Prompt:
“Act as a marketing strategist. Describe my ideal customer for a [product/service], including their pain points, goals, and key messages that would resonate.”
ChatGPT paints an empathetic customer portrait you can practically visualize.
Claude breaks it down analytically — motivations, fears, and buying triggers, clearly labeled.
Gemini might add demographic data from public reports, while Jasper turns it into marketing gold: catchy taglines and ad copy that actually converts.
Result: a living, breathing customer profile you can market to — not guess at.
3. Homepage Copy That Works
Prompt:
“You are a copywriter for small businesses. Write a headline, subheadline, and 3-sentence intro for my [business type]. Make it friendly and SEO-ready.”
ChatGPT gives you clean, professional copy ready to paste into WordPress.
Jasper adds punch — “Let’s make that headline sing!” — with versions for Facebook, ads, and email.
Claude might tone it down and structure it logically, while Gemini checks the SEO trends behind your keywords.
Result: a homepage that sounds human but performs like it’s written by a marketing team.
4. Social Media Lifesaver
Prompt:
“You are my content strategist. Create a 4-week social media calendar for [business type] with 3 posts per week, suggested hashtags, and short captions.”
ChatGPT delivers a balanced mix of value, humor, and education.
Jasper adds flair — clever emojis, snappy hooks, and variations by platform.
Gemini suggests what’s trending this month, while Claude explains why those ideas would work.
Result: a month of posts in minutes — and a calendar you’ll actually use.
5. Price It Right
Prompt:
“Act as a pricing consultant. Compare common pricing models for [industry] and suggest a structure that balances value and profit.”
ChatGPT lists clear pricing options and even suggests how to test them.
Claude organizes a short cost-benefit breakdown — spreadsheet style.
Gemini adds recent examples (“In 2024, most SaaS startups shifted to hybrid pricing models…”).
Perplexity adds links to industry reports so you can verify the data.
Result: real numbers, real insight — no guessing.
6. Emails That Actually Get Read
Prompt:
“You are an email copywriter. Write a 3-email welcome series for new subscribers. Keep it conversational and end with a soft call to action.”
ChatGPT writes like a friendly colleague.
Jasper sounds like a marketer on a caffeine high (in a good way).
Claude delivers structure and flow, explaining where to build trust.
Gemini might pull subject line data from real campaigns.
Result: messages people open, not unsubscribe from.
7. Automate the Boring Stuff
Prompt:
“You are an operations consultant. Suggest 5 ways I can use AI (like ChatGPT, Zapier, or Notion AI) to automate repetitive tasks in my [business type].”
ChatGPT lists practical automations you can try today.
Claude adds context — the “why” and “how” behind each one.
Gemini suggests integrations with Google tools.
Perplexity links to tutorials or current automation examples.
Result: less busywork, more billable work.
8. Pitch Like a Pro
Prompt:
“You are a startup coach. Write a persuasive investor summary for a [business idea], covering the problem, solution, market size, traction, and why now.”
ChatGPT gives you a crisp narrative fit for a one-page pitch.
Claude turns it into a structured document investors actually understand.
Gemini adds market data to quantify opportunity.
Jasper trims it into attention-grabbing headlines.
Perplexity links to comparable case studies.
Result: a pitch deck that says, “We’ve done our homework — and we’re ready.”
9. The Instant FAQ Page
Prompt:
“You are a customer service expert. Create 10 FAQs and friendly answers for my [product/service]. Keep the tone human and reassuring.”
ChatGPT drafts polished, natural answers.
Claude ensures logical organization and phrasing for clarity.
Jasper adds tone and brand personality.
Perplexity helps fact-check or pull in relevant support policies.
Result: a time-saver for you and a sanity-saver for your customers.
10. Repurpose Like a Pro
Prompt:
“You are a content marketer. Turn this blog post into 3 LinkedIn posts, 2 Facebook posts, and 5 tweet ideas. Keep it conversational and professional.”
ChatGPT adapts tone seamlessly for each platform.
Jasper spices it up with catchy intros and hashtags.
Gemini injects current social trends, while Claude ensures logical flow.
Result: one idea becomes a week of content — no burnout required.
Final Takeaway
These prompts aren’t just tricks — they’re templates for thinking better, faster, and smarter.
The tool matters less than how you use it:
- ChatGPT is your all-around co-pilot.
- Claude is your deep thinker.
- Gemini is your researcher.
- Jasper is your marketing wingman.
- Perplexity is your fact-checker.
Together, they make up your virtual dream team.
Use them to brainstorm, plan, write, and refine — while keeping your tone human and your time yours. Because the real power of AI isn’t in replacing entrepreneurs…
It’s in giving them their time, clarity, and creativity back.
Steve Goad, Chief Human at My AI Robot Friend
#AIForBusiness, #AppliedAI, #Entrepreneurship, #SmallBusinessGrowth, #DigitalStrategy