Sometimes it is difficult to know where to start with a new business and how to identify the most profitable business model and niche that fits in with your life, goals and values. Use the prompts below to enable ChatGPT to help you come up with a profitable business you love.
Below you will find a series of done-for-you prompts you can copy and paste into any generative AI tool. These have all been tested and used personally however you can of course make your own adjustments based on the prompt engineering guide. Where there is a sub-prompt, this indicates that you should wait until you have had the response from the prompt above before asking for further information - this is about having an open dialogue and conversation to get the best results.
<aside> 💡 These prompts are designed to be a starting point from which you can then ask AI to help you develop a business plan, strategy, competitor analysis, pricing and marketing plans. You may wish to combine a few variations of these prompts until you have found the specific business idea you want to pursue.
</aside>
| ID | Category | Prompt Name | Prompt |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business Planning & Research (Ideation) | Vision-Finding Role Play | "Act as a visionary entrepreneur with decades of experience. In a chain-of-thought manner, help me discover a unique business idea aligned with my personal passions and the current market trends. First, explore various niches I'm interested in. Next, evaluate which niche holds the most potential for disruption or innovation. Then, propose a few succinct business concepts that could thrive in this niche. Finally, prioritise these concepts based on feasibility and impact. Please ask me questions about this task until you are confident you have enough information and context to complete the task to the best of your ability. As you work through this task, please take things step by step and ask any further clarifying questions that might arise to continue to complete the task effectively. You should also remember to ask me at intervals if I am happy with where the response is going and if I would like to continue." |
| 2 | Business Planning & Research (Ideation) | Chain of Thought: Market Gap Discovery | "Let’s walk through a step-by-step process to uncover untapped market gaps in the health and wellness sector. Step 1: Ask me about my experiences and observations in the industry. Step 2: Brainstorm potential gaps or underserved areas. Step 3: Filter these ideas by potential profitability and social impact. Step 4: Suggest how to research or validate the top ideas further. Please ask me questions about this task until you are confident you have enough information and context to complete the task to the best of your ability. As you work through this task, please take things step by step and ask any further clarifying questions that might arise to continue to complete the task effectively. You should also remember to ask me at intervals if I am happy with where the response is going and if I would like to continue." |
| 3 | Business Planning & Research (Ideation) | Role Play: Disruptive Brainstorming Coach | "Act as my 'Disruption Coach' and help me brainstorm a radical new idea in the subscription-based e-learning sector. Begin by asking me for my goals and any unique resources at my disposal. Then, outline a series of creative brainstorming techniques (like ‘What if?’ scenarios) to push beyond conventional ideas. Guide me to converge on a powerful, disruptive concept. Please ask me questions about this task until you are confident you have enough information and context to complete the task to the best of your ability. As you work through this task, please take things step by step and ask any further clarifying questions that might arise to continue to complete the task effectively. You should also remember to ask me at intervals if I am happy with where the response is going and if I would like to continue." |
| 4 | Business Planning & Research (Ideation) | Step-by-Step: Blue Ocean Idea Generation | "Use a step-by-step approach to create a ‘Blue Ocean’ business idea. First, identify the current red ocean (overcrowded market). Second, ask me about any potential ‘value innovation’ I’m considering. Third, list unconventional methods to differentiate from competitors. Fourth, propose a refined concept and potential target audience. Finally, summarise how to test the viability of this idea. Please ask me questions about this task until you are confident you have enough information and context to complete the task to the best of your ability. As you work through this task, please take things step by step and ask any further clarifying questions that might arise to continue to complete the task effectively. You should also remember to ask me at intervals if I am happy with where the response is going and if I would like to continue." |
| 5 | Business Planning & Research (Ideation) | Chain of Thought: Idea Refinement | "Guide me through a chain-of-thought approach to refine a raw business idea for a new vegan snack delivery service. Begin by having me describe the initial concept. Then, break down each component—unique selling points, target demographic, potential supply chain, pricing models—and systematically highlight areas that need further validation or innovation. End by suggesting quick validation strategies (e.g., landing pages, small-scale pilots). Please ask me questions about this task until you are confident you have enough information and context to complete the task to the best of your ability. As you work through this task, please take things step by step and ask any further clarifying questions that might arise to continue to complete the task effectively. You should also remember to ask me at intervals if I am happy with where the response is going and if I would like to continue." |
| 6 | Business Planning & Research (Ideation) | Prompt Steps: Gap & Gain Analysis | "I want to develop an online mental health platform. Step 1: Let’s identify the gaps in current mental health offerings. Step 2: Pinpoint areas of greatest gain for potential users. Step 3: Combine the gap and gain findings into a strategic business idea. Step 4: Present a succinct concept statement. Please ask me questions about this task until you are confident you have enough information and context to complete the task to the best of your ability. As you work through this task, please take things step by step and ask any further clarifying questions that might arise to continue to complete the task effectively. You should also remember to ask me at intervals if I am happy with where the response is going and if I would like to continue." |
| 7 | Business Planning & Research (Ideation) | Role Play: VC Pitch Shaping | "Play the role of a venture capitalist hearing my idea for an on-demand beauty services app for the first time. Ask incisive questions about the market, revenue model, and scalability. Then, guide me to refine the concept so it's more investable. Please ask me questions about this task until you are confident you have enough information and context to complete the task to the best of your ability. As you work through this task, please take things step by step and ask any further clarifying questions that might arise to continue to complete the task effectively. You should also remember to ask me at intervals if I am happy with where the response is going and if I would like to continue." |
| 8 | Business Planning & Research (Ideation) | Chain of Thought: Tech-Driven Innovation | "Help me conceptualise a tech-driven innovation in the fitness space by guiding me through a chain-of-thought analysis. First, explore current tech trends (wearables, AI trainers, VR workouts). Then, have me pinpoint a gap in the market. Next, propose an innovative product or service that leverages these technologies. Finally, recommend a quick proof-of-concept approach to validate the idea. Please ask me questions about this task until you are confident you have enough information and context to complete the task to the best of your ability. As you work through this task, please take things step by step and ask any further clarifying questions that might arise to continue to complete the task effectively. You should also remember to ask me at intervals if I am happy with where the response is going and if I would like to continue." |
| 9 | Business Planning & Research (Ideation) | Prompt Steps: Idea Testing Blueprint | "Use a step-by-step method to help me design a low-cost test for a new meal kit subscription. Step 1: Identify the core hypothesis (that busy professionals will pay for convenience and quality). Step 2: Suggest a small pilot or pop-up event to gauge interest. Step 3: Outline how to collect feedback and iterate. Step 4: Develop a brief plan for scaling up if successful. Please ask me questions about this task until you are confident you have enough information and context to complete the task to the best of your ability. As you work through this task, please take things step by step and ask any further clarifying questions that might arise to continue to complete the task effectively. You should also remember to ask me at intervals if I am happy with where the response is going and if I would like to continue." |
| 10 | Business Planning & Research (Ideation) | Role Play: Idea Sparks with Customer Focus | "Pretend you are a 'Customer Avatar' for a proposed peer-to-peer car-sharing network. Tell me what features, benefits, and values you’d expect as a user. Then help me shape the idea to address those expectations. Please ask me questions about this task until you are confident you have enough information and context to complete the task to the best of your ability. As you work through this task, please take things step by step and ask any further clarifying questions that might arise to continue to complete the task effectively. You should also remember to ask me at intervals if I am happy with where the response is going and if I would like to continue." |
| 11 | Business Planning & Research (Ideation) | Chain of Thought: Differentiation Strategy | "I have a broad concept for a sustainable fashion brand, but I need a clearer unique selling proposition (USP). In a chain-of-thought manner, walk me through a process of differentiating from fast-fashion competitors. Start by asking me about my brand’s values and target customer. Then, propose specific strategies for ethical sourcing, packaging, and community engagement that set me apart. Finally, outline how to communicate this USP effectively. Please ask me questions about this task until you are confident you have enough information and context to complete the task to the best of your ability. As you work through this task, please take things step by step and ask any further clarifying questions that might arise to continue to complete the task effectively. You should also remember to ask me at intervals if I am happy with where the response is going and if I would like to continue." |