Free Resource
10 First Prompts to Try Today — ChatGPT for Small Business
Free swipe file from aibusinessaccelerator.au
Each prompt below includes a template (with [BRACKET PLACEHOLDERS] to fill in) and a filled-in example so you can see what a good prompt looks like in practice.
Prompt 1: Follow-Up Email (Unanswered Quote)
Template:
I run a [business type] in [city]. Write a follow-up email to a client who
received a quote from me [X] days ago and hasn't replied. Tone: friendly,
not pushy. Under 100 words.Filled-in example:
I run a small plumbing business in Melbourne. Write a follow-up email to
a client who received a quote from me 5 days ago and hasn't replied.
Tone: friendly, not pushy. Under 100 words.What to expect: A warm, professional follow-up that nudges without pressure. Edit the sign-off to match your name.
Prompt 2: Follow-Up Email (Overdue Invoice, Polite Version)
Template:
Write a polite payment reminder for an invoice that is [X] days overdue.
Invoice amount: $[amount]. Business name: [name]. Tone: professional and
firm, but not aggressive. Include a line offering to discuss if there's
an issue. Under 100 words.Filled-in example:
Write a polite payment reminder for an invoice that is 14 days overdue.
Invoice amount: $1,850. Business name: Bright Cleaning Co. Tone: professional
and firm, but not aggressive. Include a line offering to discuss if there's
an issue. Under 100 words.What to expect: A firm but respectful reminder that keeps the relationship intact.
Prompt 3: Social Media Post (Announcing a Service)
Template:
Write a social media post announcing [service name or offer] for my
[business type] business. Tone: [friendly/professional/excited].
Include a call to action. Under 60 words.Filled-in example:
Write a social media post announcing that we now offer same-day electrical
inspections for property buyers and sellers. Business: residential electrician
in Sydney. Tone: confident and helpful. Include a call to action. Under 60 words.What to expect: A short, punchy post ready to copy-paste into Facebook or Instagram.
Prompt 4: Social Media Post (Sharing a Customer Win)
Template:
Write a social media post sharing a positive customer outcome. The story:
[briefly describe the job/result]. My business: [business type] in [city].
Don't use the client's name. Tone: proud but humble. Under 70 words.Filled-in example:
Write a social media post sharing a positive customer outcome. The story:
we helped a small café owner get their point-of-sale system back up and
running in under an hour after a crash on a Saturday morning. My business:
IT support for small businesses in Brisbane. Don't use the client's name.
Tone: proud but humble. Under 70 words.What to expect: A feel-good post that shows what you do without sounding like an ad.
Prompt 5: Reply to a Positive Google Review
Template:
Write a warm, genuine reply to this positive Google review for my
[business type] business: "[paste the review here]".
Don't be sycophantic — just warm and human. Under 60 words.Filled-in example:
Write a warm, genuine reply to this positive Google review for my
bookkeeping business: "Sarah sorted out two years of chaos in our accounts
in less than a week. Absolute lifesaver — can't recommend highly enough."
Don't be sycophantic — just warm and human. Under 60 words.What to expect: A reply that sounds like you wrote it, not a bot.
Prompt 6: Reply to a Negative Google Review
Template:
Write a professional, calm response to this negative Google review for
my [business type]: "[paste the review here]". Tone: empathetic, not
defensive. Acknowledge the issue, explain briefly if relevant, and invite
them to contact us directly. Under 80 words.Filled-in example:
Write a professional, calm response to this negative Google review for
my landscaping business: "Turned up late, didn't finish the job, and left
without cleaning up. Very disappointed." Tone: empathetic, not defensive.
Acknowledge the issue, explain briefly if relevant, and invite them to
contact us directly. Under 80 words.What to expect: A response that protects your reputation without escalating. Review and adjust before posting.
Prompt 7: Website Bio (Professional Services)
Template:
Write a professional website bio for [name], who runs [business name],
a [business type] based in [city]. Key details: [years of experience,
speciality, one thing that makes you different]. Tone: [warm and
approachable / confident / professional]. Under 100 words.Filled-in example:
Write a professional website bio for James, who runs Apex Accounting,
a small business accountancy practice based in Perth. Key details:
15 years of experience, specialises in tradies and construction businesses,
former ATO auditor so understands both sides of the table. Tone: confident
but approachable. Under 100 words.What to expect: A bio that sounds human and highlights what makes you worth calling.
Prompt 8: FAQ Answer (Most Common Question in Your Industry)
Template:
Write a clear, friendly answer to this common customer question:
"[your most common question]". My business: [describe what you do].
Tone: helpful and conversational. Under 80 words.Filled-in example:
Write a clear, friendly answer to this common customer question:
"How much does a kitchen renovation cost?" My business: residential
builder and renovator in Adelaide. Tone: helpful and conversational —
don't dodge the question, but explain why it varies. Under 80 words.What to expect: An honest, useful answer that builds trust. Save it for your website FAQ, email auto-reply, or chatbot.
Prompt 9: Product or Service Description (Short Version)
Template:
Write a short product/service description (under 100 words) for [name
of product or service]. Key features or benefits: [list 3–5].
Target customer: [describe]. Tone: [confident/warm/conversational].Filled-in example:
Write a short service description (under 100 words) for "Monthly Books
Bundle" — a fixed-price monthly bookkeeping package. Key benefits:
everything reconciled by the 5th of each month, BAS lodgement included,
direct access to your bookkeeper via email. Target customer: sole traders
and small businesses who hate paperwork. Tone: clear and confident.What to expect: A tight, punchy description ready to use on your website or in a proposal.
Prompt 10: “Thank You for Your Business” Message
Template:
Write a short, genuine thank-you message to send to a client after
completing a job. Business: [business type]. Job: [brief description
of what you did]. Tone: warm and personal, not corporate.
Under 70 words.Filled-in example:
Write a short, genuine thank-you message to send to a client after
completing a job. Business: dog grooming salon in Gold Coast.
Job: groom and tidy for a golden retriever named Biscuit — client's
first visit. Tone: warm and personal, not corporate. Under 70 words.What to expect: A message that people actually remember and sometimes share. Great for SMS or a quick follow-up email.
Tips for Getting Better Outputs Every Time
Be specific. The single biggest factor in output quality is how much context you give. Location, business type, client situation, tone, word count — all of it helps.
Iterate. Your first output is a draft. Type “make it shorter,” “make it warmer,” or “try a different opening line” and you’ll see it improve.
Save what works. When a prompt produces something you love, save the exact prompt in a Google Doc. That’s your prompt library — and it gets more valuable every week.
Don’t paste sensitive data. Avoid pasting full client names, financial figures, or confidential legal information into public AI tools. Use placeholder names when privacy matters.
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