Most founders know they should be using tools like ChatGPT, but many don’t get past the basics. The truth is, you’re not lazy or behind. You’re just missing good prompts. The right script turns an AI from a trivia machine into a growth partner.
This post gives you copy-paste templates that founders use to save hours, sharpen strategy, and make better decisions with fewer Google rabbit holes.
What Makes a Good Prompt?
AI needs context. The best prompts do three things:
- Set a role: “You are my marketing strategist...”
- Define the task: “Create a content calendar for the next 30 days...”
- Share details: “My startup helps freelance designers manage client payments.”
Pro tip: You don’t have to say it all at once. Think of it like texting a smart assistant. You can follow up, correct, and revise together.
Founders’ Favorite Prompts (By Task)
1. Market Research
Prompt:
You are a startup analyst. Summarize the top three competitors in the [industry] space targeting [audience]. Highlight their key differentiators, pricing, and user reviews.
Example:
You are a startup analyst. Summarize the top three competitors in the mental health tech space targeting solo therapists.
2. Customer Messaging
Prompt:
You are my copywriter. Write three subject lines and email intros for a SaaS product that helps [audience] solve [problem]. Tone should be casual, confident, and founder-friendly.
Bonus: Add: “Include a P.S. that drives urgency.”
3. Social Media Posts
Prompt:
You are a content strategist. Turn this idea into five short LinkedIn posts with strong hooks, clear insights, and startup-friendly language. [Insert your raw idea or paragraph]
Example Input:
“Founders don’t need more tools. They need less friction between idea and execution.”
4. Internal Process Templates
Prompt:
You are an operations lead. Build a checklist for onboarding a new contractor into a small startup. Include tool access, communication norms, and security reminders.
Use cases: SOP creation, onboarding docs, Notion templates
5. Website or Landing Page Copy
Prompt:
You are a website copywriter. Write homepage hero text for a startup that helps [audience] achieve [benefit] without [pain point]. Keep it under 20 words. Provide three variations.
Example:
Helps indie gym owners get more members without managing 5 different apps.
Tips to Get Better Results
- Use one prompt per outcome. Don’t ask for too much at once.
- Be specific about your audience, industry, and tone.
- Edit the output. AI gives you raw material, not polished final drafts.
- Save your favorite prompts somewhere searchable. You’ll reuse them often.
Turn These Prompts Into Systems
Want to scale this? Tools like Notion, Airtable, and even browser extensions can let you save and trigger these prompts with one click. Set up a “Prompt Vault” and start building repeatable workflows, not just one-offs.
Need Help Operationalizing AI?
We help founders build prompt libraries, automate content creation, and reduce decision fatigue with AI systems built for your stage.