The Regulation Collective

Free prompt library · 24 prompts

The small business prompt library

Ready-to-use ChatGPT prompts for the jobs that turn up every week. Each one tells you when to use it. Copy it, fill in the purple brackets, and go.

Two habits that make every prompt better: give ChatGPT your brand voice brief first (build one free with our Brand voice builder), and leave customer names and private details out.

Social media and marketing

Captions, ideas and promotions that sound like you, not a robot.

A week of post ideas

Use it when: You open Instagram, stare at it, and close it again.

Give me 7 post ideas for my [type of business] for this week. My customers are [who they are]. Include one tip, one behind-the-scenes, one customer question answered, one offer, one personal story, one seasonal or local idea and one just-for-fun post. Give each one a strong first line.

Tip: Pick three and do them well. Seven is a menu, not a to-do list.

Hooks that stop the scroll

Use it when: Your post is good, but the first line is flat.

Here's my post: [paste your caption]. Write 5 different opening lines that would make my ideal customer, [who they are], stop scrolling. Keep each under 12 words and avoid clickbait.

Tip: Read them out loud. The one you'd actually say is the one to use.

Turn a client win into a post

Use it when: A client got a great result and you want to share it (with their permission).

A client of my [type of business] recently [what happened, no names]. They've said I can share it. Write an Instagram post that tells the story in a warm, non-braggy way and ends with a gentle invitation for others who want the same result.

Tip: Always ask first. A quote in their own words beats anything you write.

Plan around Australian dates

Use it when: You keep realising it's Mother's Day after the moment has passed.

What Australian dates, seasons and events between [month] and [month] suit my [type of business] in [your state]? Think school holidays, EOFY, Mother's and Father's Day, Christmas and local events. For each, suggest a post or offer idea and when I should start promoting it.

Tip: Put the start dates in your calendar today, not the event dates.

One post, five ways

Use it when: You wrote something good and only used it once.

Here's a post that did well for me: [paste it]. Turn it into: an Instagram caption, a short Facebook post, a 30-second Reel script, a newsletter paragraph and a Google Business Profile update. Keep my voice in all five.

Tip: Space them out over two weeks. Nobody sees everything you post.

A 30-second Reel script

Use it when: You know Reels work, but you freeze when you hit record.

Write a 30-second Reel script for my [type of business] about [topic]. Include what I say, what I show on screen and the text overlay for each part. Make the first 3 seconds grab attention and keep the language natural, like I'm talking to a friend.

Tip: Film it in three short takes, not one perfect one.

Your Instagram bio

Use it when: Your bio still says what you did three years ago.

Write 5 Instagram bio options for my business. I help [who] with [what], I'm based in [suburb or online], and I want people to [book / buy / message me]. Keep each under 150 characters and make it clear and warm.

Tip: Your bio's job is to make the next step obvious. Clever comes second.

Promote without feeling salesy

Use it when: You've got an offer to share and you'd rather do your tax.

I'm promoting [your offer] for [price] until [date]. Write 3 posts that feel helpful rather than pushy: one that names the problem it solves, one that answers the common worries, and one last-chance reminder. My customers are [who].

Tip: If it genuinely helps them, telling them about it is a kindness.

Customer emails and enquiries

Replies, follow-ups and the emails you keep putting off.

The price enquiry

Use it when: Someone asks “how much?” and you want to answer without scaring them off.

A potential customer asked about the price of [service or product]. My price is [price] and it includes [what's included]. Write a friendly reply that shares the price confidently, explains the value in two sentences and invites them to [book / ask questions / pay a deposit].

Tip: Lead with what they get, then the price. Never apologise for it.

A quote that wins the job

Use it when: You need to send a quote and want it to look professional.

Write a clear, friendly quote email for [the job] for a customer who needs [what they need]. Include what's included, the price of [amount], timing, what happens next and how long the quote is valid. Keep it under 200 words.

Tip: Add one line that shows you listened to what they actually asked for.

When they've gone quiet

Use it when: You sent a quote a week ago and heard nothing.

I sent a quote for [the job] [how long] ago and haven't heard back. Write a short, relaxed follow-up that checks in without pressure and makes it easy to say yes, no or not yet.

Tip: Most people aren't ignoring you. They're busy. One kind nudge is fine.

Reply to a tough review

Use it when: You've had a negative review and your stomach dropped.

Here's a negative Google review of my business: [paste it, no names]. Here's what actually happened: [your side, briefly]. Write a calm, professional public reply that acknowledges their experience, doesn't argue, and offers to sort it out privately.

Tip: Wait an hour before you post it. Regulated replies always read better.

Ask for a review

Use it when: Happy customers never think to leave a review unless you ask.

Write a short, warm message I can send happy customers after [their appointment / purchase], asking them to leave a Google review. Make it easy and personal, and include where to put the link: [REVIEW LINK].

Tip: Ask within 48 hours, while they're still glowing.

A refund or complaint

Use it when: A customer is unhappy and wants something done.

A customer is unhappy because [what happened, no names]. My policy is [your policy]. I'd like to [what you're willing to offer]. Write a kind, clear reply that takes responsibility where it's fair, explains what I'll do and keeps the door open.

Tip: Check your obligations under Australian Consumer Law if you're unsure what you owe them.

Announce a price increase

Use it when: Your prices need to go up and you're dreading telling people.

My prices for [service] are going up from [old price] to [new price] on [date]. Write a short, confident email to my existing customers that explains why in one or two sentences, thanks them, and gives them a chance to [book at the old price until a date].

Tip: Give at least a few weeks' notice. Loyal customers appreciate the heads-up.

Welcome a new client

Use it when: Someone just booked or bought and you want them to feel looked after.

Write a warm welcome email for new clients of my [type of business]. Include what happens next, how to prepare for [their first appointment / delivery], how to contact me and one small personal touch.

Tip: Set this up once in your email tool and it sends itself.

Planning and admin

Turn the mess in your head into a plan you can actually follow.

Plan a realistic week

Use it when: You have 40 things to do and 15 hours to do them in.

Here's everything on my business list this week: [brain dump]. I can work [hours] across [days and times, e.g. 9 to 2:30 on school days]. Make a realistic plan that puts the most important jobs first, groups similar tasks together and leaves a buffer for surprises.

Tip: If the plan doesn't fit, cut tasks, not sleep.

Big goal, 90-day plan

Use it when: You have a goal but no idea where to start.

My goal is [goal, e.g. 10 new clients a month] by [date]. My business is [what you do] and I have about [hours] a week. Break this into a 90-day plan with monthly milestones and three weekly actions I can actually keep up.

Tip: Review it every Sunday. Plans are meant to change.

Sense-check your prices

Use it when: You suspect you're undercharging but aren't sure.

I charge [price] for [service or product]. It takes me [time] and costs about [costs]. My ideal customers are [who]. Help me work out my real hourly rate, what's eating into my profit and three questions to ask myself before I change my prices.

Tip: AI can help you think, but your accountant should check the numbers.

Write down how you do it

Use it when: You're the only person who knows how things work.

Here's how I do [a job I repeat]: [describe it however it comes out]. Turn it into a clear, numbered step-by-step process someone else could follow, with a checklist at the end.

Tip: Do one a week. In three months your business is far less dependent on you.

Prepare for a meeting

Use it when: You've got a supplier, collaboration or networking meeting coming up.

I'm meeting [who, e.g. a potential stockist] about [topic]. My goal is [what you want]. Give me 5 smart questions to ask, 3 things to have ready, and a short way to explain my business in 30 seconds.

Tip: Know your one must-have outcome before you walk in.

When you're stuck on a decision

Use it when: You've been going back and forth for days.

I'm trying to decide whether to [option A] or [option B]. Here's my situation: [details]. Lay out the pros, cons and risks of each, ask me 3 questions that would help me decide, and tell me what you'd want to know if you were me.

Tip: AI clears the fog. The decision is still yours.

Monthly money check-in

Use it when: You avoid looking at the numbers because they stress you out.

This month my income was [amount], my main costs were [list] and I'm hoping to [goal]. Help me see what went well, where money is leaking and one small change to make next month. Keep it simple and encouraging.

Tip: Same day every month makes it a habit instead of a dread.

Friday wins

Use it when: The week flew by and you can't remember doing anything.

Here's what I did in my business this week, big and small: [list everything]. Sum up my wins, name one thing I learned, and suggest the one thing to focus on next week.

Tip: Read it out loud before you close the laptop. You did more than you think.

Tired of copying and pasting?

These prompts are a great start. But if you'd rather these jobs happened on their own, without opening ChatGPT and pasting a prompt every time, I can set that up for you.

Book a free call A free 30-minute call. No obligation, no sales pitch.

Stay regulated and get things done. Amanda