If you've opened ChatGPT, looked at the empty box, and thought "now what?", this guide is for you. Below are 10 free prompts for jobs most small business owners do every week. Each one has fill-in-the-blank brackets, a filled-in example, and a short tip.
They work in ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Claude, or any similar AI chat tool, and the free versions are fine.
How to use these prompts
- Open a free AI chat tool.
- Copy a prompt from this page. A "prompt" is just the message you type to the AI.
- Replace the [BRACKETS] with your own details.
- Paste it in and press Enter.
- Talk back. If the answer isn't right, say so: "make it shorter," "sound friendlier," or "give me 3 more options."
One rule before you start: always read what the AI writes before you use it. It can sound confident and still get a fact, a price, or a date wrong.
1. Reply to a customer review
Good reviews deserve a thank-you, and bad ones need a calm answer. This prompt handles both.
I own a [TYPE OF BUSINESS] called [BUSINESS NAME]. A customer named [FIRST NAME] left this review: "[PASTE THE REVIEW]". It is [POSITIVE / NEGATIVE]. Write a short public reply (under 100 words) that sounds like a real, friendly person, not a big company. If it's positive, thank them by name and mention something specific they said. If it's negative, apologize for their experience without arguing and invite them to contact me at [PHONE OR EMAIL]. Give me 2 versions.
Example: "I own a bakery called Rise & Shine. A customer named Dana left this review: 'Best sourdough in town, and the staff remembered my name!' It is positive..."
Got a tough one? Read our step-by-step guide on how to reply to a bad Google review.
2. Plan a month of social media posts
I run a [TYPE OF BUSINESS] called [BUSINESS NAME] in [TOWN/CITY]. My customers are mostly [WHO]. I post on [FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM / TIKTOK]. This month: [EVENTS, HOLIDAYS, OR SALES, or "nothing special"]. Create a 30-day social media plan as a table with these columns: Day, Post idea, Caption (ready to copy), Photo idea. Mix tips, behind-the-scenes posts, customer questions, and a few posts about [MAIN PRODUCT OR SERVICE].
Example: "I run a dog grooming shop called Fresh Paws in Fresno. My customers are mostly busy pet owners. I post on Instagram..."
Tip: You don't have to post every day. Pick the ideas you like best and post a few times a week.
3. Write a product or service description
Write a description for this [PRODUCT / SERVICE]: Name: [NAME]. What it is: [DESCRIBE IT]. Who it's for: [TYPE OF CUSTOMER]. What makes it special: [DETAILS]. Where it will appear: [WEBSITE / ETSY / MENU]. Write a short version (1–2 sentences) and a longer version (about 100 words). Focus on how it helps the customer, in simple everyday words.
Example: "Name: Lavender Calm Candle. What it is: a hand-poured soy candle in a reusable jar. Who it's for: people who want a relaxing evening..."
4. Answer the questions customers always ask
I run a [TYPE OF BUSINESS]. Hours: [HOURS]. Location or service area: [WHERE]. How to book: [HOW]. Payment: [METHODS]. Cancellation policy: [POLICY]. Write a friendly FAQ with 10 questions and short answers that customers would really ask. Only use the facts I gave you. If something is missing, write [ADD DETAILS] instead of guessing.
Tip: That last line matters. Telling the AI not to guess keeps it from making up policies you don't have.
5. Ask a late-paying client for payment
Write a polite but firm email to a client who hasn't paid. Client's first name: [NAME]. Invoice number: [NUMBER]. Amount: [AMOUNT]. Due date: [DATE]. How they can pay: [PAYMENT LINK OR METHOD]. New deadline: [DATE]. Keep it short and professional, and assume they simply forgot. Include a subject line.
Tip: Only mention late fees if they were in your original agreement or invoice.
6. Announce a sale or promotion
I'm running a promotion at my [TYPE OF BUSINESS] called [BUSINESS NAME]. The offer: [OFFER]. Dates: [START] to [END]. How to get it: [CODE / BOOK ONLINE / MENTION THIS POST]. Write: 1) a short social media post, 2) an email with a subject line, 3) a text message under 160 characters, 4) a one-line sign for my counter. Make it exciting but honest, with no fake urgency.
7. Improve your Google Business Profile description
Write a description for my Google Business Profile. Business: [NAME]. What we do: [SERVICES]. Areas we serve: [TOWNS]. What makes us different: [DETAILS]. Who we serve: [CUSTOMERS]. Keep it under 750 characters. Mention our town and main services naturally. Friendly, trustworthy tone. No phone numbers, links, or ALL CAPS.
Tip: Google's rules for this box change from time to time, so give its current guidelines a quick look before you paste the result in.
8. Check whether your prices make sense
Help me check my prices, and explain simply. What I sell: [PRODUCT OR SERVICE]. Current price: [PRICE]. What it costs me (materials, fees): [COST]. Time it takes: [TIME]. What I want to earn per hour: [AMOUNT]. Show my profit per sale, what my price would need to be to hit my hourly goal, and 3 pricing options (good, better, best). Show the math step by step.
Tip: Double-check the numbers with a calculator. AI is good at ideas but can slip on math.
9. Calm down an upset customer
A customer is upset with my [TYPE OF BUSINESS]. Here's their message: "[PASTE IT]". What happened from my side: [YOUR VERSION]. What I'm willing to offer: [REFUND / REDO / DISCOUNT / "help me decide"]. Explain in one sentence what they're really upset about. Then write a calm, kind reply that acknowledges their feelings, apologizes where it's fair, and offers a clear next step. Keep me sounding professional, never defensive.
Tip: If you're upset too, run the prompt, then wait 10 minutes before you send anything.
10. Turn the AI into your personal tutor
If you're brand new, this might be the best one to start with.
I'm a complete beginner with AI. I own a [TYPE OF BUSINESS] in [TOWN/CITY]. My biggest time-wasters are [e.g., emails, social media, writing quotes]. Be my patient AI coach. Explain in plain English what you can and can't help me with. Ask me 5 simple questions about my business, one at a time. Then give me my top 5 ways to save time with AI, each with an example prompt I can copy.
How to get a better answer
The first answer is a first draft. You'll usually get something much better by replying in the same chat with a short follow-up, like:
- "Make it half as long. Keep the most important points."
- "Make this sound warmer, like a real person talking."
- "Which parts of your answer are guesses? List anything I should double-check."
What not to paste into AI
Treat an AI chat like a postcard, not a locked drawer. Never paste in passwords, card or bank numbers, or private customer details. Use first names only. For legal, tax, or HR questions, check with a professional.
Next up: if you send quotes, our guide to writing a quote follow-up email that gets a reply pairs well with these prompts.