5 Tips for Writing Effective ChatGPT Prompts (+ Examples) (2024)

The Jetsons, a classic 1962 animated show, told the story of an average family living in the year 2062. It imagined a fantastical future with jet packs, video phones, and robotic assistants that help kids with homework and know how to bake a cake.

Several of the show’s predictions have come to pass. Now, with the proliferation of artificial intelligence, robotic assistants are a reality. ChatGPT can help ecommerce businesses with a wide range of tasks and improve productivity. Learn how to properly instruct ChatGPT with successful prompt engineering to help your business save time and produce high-quality assets.

What are ChatGPT prompts?

ChatGPT prompts are the text requests you input into the request field of the artificial intelligence (AI) tool. These text prompts are usually requests for information or instructions to produce a specific asset.

Well-written prompts provide the AI with the context and instructions it needs to craft a response. Prompts generally include background information, example text, and formatting instructions.

Tips for writing effective ChatGPT prompts

The process of crafting AI instructions—for ChatGPT and other AI models—is known as prompt engineering. Following best practices for engineering will improve the quality and accuracy of ChatGPT’s responses. Try these tips to start crafting awesome ChatGPT prompts:

Include context

Provide context to help ChatGPT deliver specific, relevant outputs. For example, the prompt “tell me a short story” will generate a broad, generic response. The prompt “write a bedtime story for my six-year-old nephew who loves dragons and trains,” will lead to a more tailored output.

Guide the tone

If you’re using ChatGPT to generate a written asset—such as a blog post or business email—include instructions to guide the tone of the writing. For example, when prompting a blog post, you could tell the model to use “conversational language with a sense of humor.” For a business email, on the other hand, you might instruct it to “write in a formal, professional tone.”

You can also guide the tone by referencing known writing forms, such as “in the style of a cover letter” or describing the target audience with a line like “for an audience of teens and tweens.”

Describe the desired format

Include formatting instructions to generate relevant answers. For example, specify in your prompt if you want ChatGPT to produce instructions written as a lengthy explanation or a step-by-step list. Consider including a desired word count to instruct the length of the output.

Use examples

Provide examples to help ChatGPT understand your desired output. Including writing samples in your prompt can guide both the tone and style of the response. If you provide the model with a sample of your existing marketing copy it will do its best to imitate your brand voice, helping you maintain a consistent tone.

Review and refine the output

Refine your prompting strategy as you go. If your initial instructions don’t yield a satisfactory response, try rewording your request or prompt ChatGPT to edit its response. Ask for adjustments with a prompt such as “rewrite it in a conversational tone” or “reformat the information as a list.”

Always verify that ChatGPT delivered an accurate response before publishing the information or acting on its advice.

9 ChatGPT prompt examples for ecommerce

1. Write SEO copy
2. Create a blog post
3. Write product descriptions
4. Brainstorm creative ideas
5. Draft social media posts
6. Craft customer service responses
7. Research marketing strategies
8. Analyze performance data
9. Generate internal assets

You can use ChatGPT or other large language models (LLMs) to generate assets, enhance communications, and conduct research. The following use cases and sample prompts can help your business operate more efficiently and inspire your own prompts:

1. Write SEO copy

AI tools can generate copy to support your search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. Include the target keyword and information about formatting when writing SEO prompts. For example:

• Generate SEO-optimized copy for a landing page marketing spicy pickles. The primary keyword is “pickles.” Emphasize the product’s unique selling points: It’s small-batch and uses natural flavors.

• Write a meta description for a blog post about Golden Retriever coat maintenance. The primary keyword is “Golden Retriever coats.” The post includes tips on buying the best brushes and what shampoo to use.

• Create an SEO-optimized title, H1, H2s, and H3s for a blog post about vintage Lego kits. The primary keyword is “vintage Lego.” The post includes tips on where to buy vintage Lego sets. Headings should be structured to optimize keyword density.

• Write an SEO-optimized press release announcing the launch of a self-cleaning microwave. The primary keyword is “microwave.” Include a call to action.

• Send me a list of keywords to target for an SEO-optimized blog post about candle-making tips for beginners.

2. Create a blog post

Support your content marketing efforts by asking ChatGPT to help with creative writing. Blog content prompts often include the subject matter and any key points. For example:

• Write a blog post explaining how to upcycle old t-shirts into a quilt. Include step-by-step instructions.

• Write a 400-word blog post explaining the health benefits of eating spinach. Include three easy, kid-friendly recipes that use spinach.

• Discuss five common myths about Golden Retrievers. Explain why they are false. Write in the style of an educational blog post.

• Write a blog post arguing that a hot dog is not a sandwich. Use informal language and reference famous events related to hot dogs.

• Write an 800-word blog post about how to plant an herb garden for an audience of first-time gardeners in North America. Include a list of all the tools that you’ll need.

3. Write product descriptions

Save time by using a generative AI tool to draft product descriptions for your merchandise. Provide the model with a description of your product, including its key features. For example:

• Write a product description for Carlye’s Premium Golden Retriever shampoo. Highlight that it uses organic ingredients, detangles fur, and leaves coats shiny.

• Write a 100-word product description for a luxury skin care product fridge. Emphasize that it is made from the highest quality stainless steel and has a sophisticated, elegant design.

• Write a product description for Grandma Rose’s Toffee Crunch cookies. Focus on the sentimental, emotional appeal of the product and mention that it is based on Grandma Rose’s original recipe.

4. Brainstorm creative ideas

Use ChatGPT to generate ideas for a business project, letting it help you brainstorm ideas for content marketing, product names, or sales strategies. For example:

• Suggest ideas for 10 advertising campaigns for an ecommerce company selling kitchen supplies. Include five ideas for retargeting existing customers.

• Discuss 15 ways that an ecommerce company can increase brand awareness. Focus on low-cost strategies.

• Suggest 10 ways for a small ecommerce company to generate leads.

• Generate 20 blog post ideas for an ecommerce company that sells gourmet pickles. Include potential SEO keywords.

5. Draft social media posts

Use ChatGPT to create social media marketing assets designed to help you develop a strong online presence. Mention the social media platform you’re using and explain the subject of your post in social media prompts. For example:

• Write a search-optimized description for a YouTube video demonstrating how to wash a Golden Retriever. Include a call to action asking viewers to subscribe to the channel.

• Write a script for a 30-second TikTok video about active listening. Write from the point of view of an education professional.

• Write a caption for an Instagram post about the best spinach recipe. Use powerful language that evokes emotions.

• Create a short, engaging X post promoting a 20% flash sale on metallic rain boots. Mention that there is a limited supply.

6. Craft customer service responses

Generative AI can support your customer service team. Consider using ChatGPT to draft responses to customer inquiries or help customer service develop guidelines. For example:

• Write a customer service script for dealing with difficult customers. Include advice about conflict de-escalation and emphasize the importance of customer satisfaction.

• Write a polite customer service email responding to a customer inquiry about a missing shipment. Explain that the customer service team will locate the item or issue a refund and thank the customer.

• Generate an email responding to a customer requesting a return. Include explicit instructions about returning the item in its original packaging. Use professional language.

• Draft an email responding to a customer who inquired about a job application. Instruct them to contact human resources and mention the job title. Use professional language.

7. Research marketing strategies

In addition to creating assets, AI can be a powerful research tool. Asking ChatGPT for information can help your team make well-informed strategy decisions. For example:

• Why is conducting market research important for small businesses? Answer in the form of a bulleted list.

• What are the differences between Google Tag Manager and Magic Pixel? List the pros and cons of each tool.

• Generate a list of strategies for optimizing the sales funnel in an ecommerce setting. Include examples of companies who have improved their sales funnel and explain how they did it.

• List 11 potential strategies for converting potential customers for an ecommerce business. Include content marketing and paid advertising strategies.

• What type of research should ecommerce companies provide to the sales team? Explain how data helps the team increase sales.

8. Analyze performance data

ChatGPT can analyze and interpret datasets, organize information or spot trends, and highlight specific data points that stand out as outliers. ChatGPT can analyze data so long as you upload it in the following file formats:

• Excel (.xls / .xlsx)
• Comma-separated values (.csv)
• PDF (.pdf)
• JavaScript Object Notation (JSON)

After uploading the data, write a specific prompt. For example:

• Analyze sales data from last quarter. Identify the highest and lowest-selling products.

• Analyze our returns data for the past month. Determine which categories have the highest rate of returns.

• Summarize our product reviews from the past six months. Highlight any themes related to product performance and pull out the most commonly used words.

9. Generate internal assets

Consider using ChatGPT to enhance your professional communications, write code, or create presentation assets, such as data visualizations, with just a few clicks. For example:

• Write a follow-up email reminding all employees to RSVP to the company Halloween party. Use a friendly, professional tone and include a few Halloween puns.

• Generate a text-based Excel sheet showing the heights of different dog breeds.

• Write a company-wide email to inform staff that we’re hiring a social media manager. Remind them to refer potential candidates via the HR portal. Use professional language.

• Write Python code that uses inventory data to send an alert message to the product team when inventory is low.