Have you ever had an assistant who didn’t just take notes—but challenged your ideas, asked better questions, and made your work sharper?
Or maybe you’ve been that assistant: the one who didn’t settle for “good enough,” who pushed for clarity, strategy, and substance.
Now imagine that kind of feedback loop—only faster, and powered by AI.
With the right prompts, AI stops behaving like a polite intern and starts acting like a seasoned strategist. It points out what’s missing, calls out the fluff, and challenges you to do better–exactly what you want when every word matters.
Here are 10 quick but powerful prompt tweaks that turn your AI assistant into a smarter, sharper collaborator. Each one is easy to apply, endlessly reusable, and designed to level up your writing—and your thinking.
Diagnose What’s Not Working
Prompt #1: “What’s missing?”
Why use it: When copy looks complete but feels hollow, this prompt reveals the missing ingredients—whether that’s proof, emotion, or specificity.
Initial content: “Our event platform makes virtual conferences easier than ever.”
Prompt: “What’s missing from this pitch? What might confuse or underwhelm a potential buyer?”
Improved version: “Our event platform helps you host professional, glitch-free virtual conferences—complete with registration, real-time Q&A, and post-event analytics.”
Why it’s better: It adds concrete features and solves real user pain points. The original was vague; the revision shows exactly how it delivers value.
Prompt #2: “Convert me”
Why use it: Generic CTAs are forgettable. This prompt forces your AI to think like a distracted, skeptical user—and sell accordingly.
Initial content: “Sign up today.”
Prompt: “Would this convert you? Why or why not? Then rewrite it to improve conversion.”
Improved version: “Get your first month free—start building your campaign in minutes.”
Why it’s better: The upgrade adds incentive and speed. “Free” reduces friction, and “in minutes” signals ease. Together, they drive action.
Prompt #3: “Be brutally honest”
Why use it: We’ve covered this one before, but this list wouldn’t be complete without it. Use it when you know something’s off—but can’t put your finger on it. This prompt strips the politeness and pulls no punches.
Initial content: “We are passionate about helping companies grow with innovative marketing solutions tailored to your business needs.”
Prompt: “What’s weak, vague, or boring about this sentence? Be brutally honest.”
Improved version: “We help companies get more leads and better ROI—with marketing that’s data-backed, not just buzzwords.”
Why it’s better: The rewrite replaces generic fluff with tangible outcomes: “more leads” and “better ROI.” It removes passive language and centers the value.
Pro Tip: Before adding more words, fix the weak ones. Great copy starts with ruthless self-editing.
Clarify Your Message
Prompt #4: “Zero fluff”
Why use it: If your copy sounds like a pitch deck or a LinkedIn cliché, it’s time to cut the fluff. This prompt trims the fat and sharpens the core.
Initial content: “Our comprehensive platform provides solutions that drive innovation, increase efficiency, and empower teams.”
Prompt: “Rewrite this with zero fluff. Cut the filler—make it direct and specific.”
Improved version: “Our platform helps teams work faster, save time, and ship projects on deadline.”
Why it’s better: It replaces bloated abstractions (“comprehensive,” “empower”) with focused outcomes your audience can visualize and value.
Prompt #5: “Say it simpler”
Why use it: If your copy needs a glossary, it’s losing readers. This prompt makes complex ideas accessible without dumbing them down.
Initial content: “We offer a decentralized financial infrastructure for next-gen asset management.”
Prompt: “Say it simpler. Rewrite this at a 7th-grade reading level. Keep the core meaning.”
Improved version: “We help you manage your money online—without banks, middlemen, or fine print.”
Why it’s better: The revision keeps the essence but ditches the jargon. Simple words = faster comprehension = stronger engagement.
Prompt #6: “Channel the customer”
Why use it: Marketing written from the brand’s point of view often feels cold. This prompt repositions the message as something a user would say to a friend.
Initial content: “Our platform accelerates customer acquisition with scalable segmentation tools.”
Prompt: “Channel the customer. Rewrite this like a happy customer explaining it to a friend.”
Improved version: “It helped me find the right customers way faster—and I didn’t need a huge team to do it.”
Why it’s better: It adds warmth, trust, and specificity. The tone shift humanizes the brand and builds credibility fast.
Pro Tip: If they have to re-read it, you’ve already lost them. Simplicity is your sharpest weapon.
Compete—and Win
Prompt #7: “Write like a rival”
Why use it: Want to know if your copy holds up? Ask your AI to write like your fiercest competitor trying to steal your leads.
Initial content: “Workpal helps you manage team projects with intuitive dashboards and real-time collaboration.”
Prompt: “Rewrite this from the perspective of a rival brand (e.g., TaskCore) that wants to steal our customers.”
Improved version (rival voice): “Still wasting time with Workpal’s clunky dashboards? TaskCore gets your team aligned—without the clutter.”
Why it’s better: The response attacks specific weaknesses and repositions value. It sharpens your awareness of how a competitor might outmessage you.
Prompt #8: “What would a skeptic say?”
Why use it: You believe in your product, but your reader might not. This prompt helps anticipate doubt and respond with evidence.
Initial content: “Our system guarantees a 200% increase in sales pipeline.”
Prompt: “What would a skeptical reader say about this claim? Rewrite it to build trust.”
Improved version: “On average, customers see a 2x pipeline increase in 90 days—backed by real case studies.”
Why it’s better: It adds realism, time framing, and proof. Instead of hyping a promise, it documents a result.
Prompt #9: “Why should I care?”
Why use it: Readers don’t care about your features. They care about what your features do for them. This prompt helps you understand exactly what your reader needs.
Initial content: “We offer 24/7 customer support via chat, phone, and email.”
Prompt: “Why should I care? Make the benefit clear, urgent, and emotional.”
Improved version: “When something breaks at 2 a.m., you’ll talk to a real person—right away.”
Why it’s better: It anchors the feature in a real-life moment, heightening the stakes and emotional payoff.
Pro Tip: If your copy can’t beat what’s already out there, it’s invisible. Teach your AI to fight for attention.
Test for Impact
Prompt #10: “First 5 seconds”
Why use it: In a scroll-first world, attention is your scarcest currency. This prompt tells AI to judge your hook like a bored reader.
Initial content: “The Future of Marketing is Here”
Prompt: “Would this make you stop scrolling in the first 5 seconds? Be honest, then punch it up.”
Improved version: “AI Just Changed Marketing—Here’s What That Means for You”
Why it’s better: It creates urgency, taps curiosity, and names the trend—all in under 10 words.
BONUS Prompt #11: “Shock me”
Why use it: When your copy is too safe, it disappears. This prompt is for pushing boundaries and unlocking fresh angles.
Initial content: “Learn how to level up your leadership skills.”
Prompt: “Give me five alternative versions. Shock me.”
Best improved version: “You’re Not a Bad Manager—You’re Just Exhausted. Here’s What to Do About It.”
Why it’s better: It flips a common insecurity—bad leadership—and reframes it with empathy and insight. It’s emotionally arresting and instantly human, which makes it feel real, not rehearsed.
Pro Tip: You’ve got five seconds to earn attention—and one chance to hold it. Lead with impact.
How to Stack Prompts for Maximum Power
All of these prompts are powerful tools for marketers. But the real magic happens when you combine them in sequence.
Here’s how to layer them:
To improve a landing page:
- Be brutally honest
- What’s missing?
- Zero fluff
- Why should I care?
To sharpen a marketing email:
- Say it simpler
- Channel the customer
- Convert me
To refine a product pitch:
- Write like a rival
- What would a skeptic say?
- Shock me
Each pass peels off another layer of polite, forgettable marketing—and reveals something sharper, clearer, and more effective.
Where These Prompts Really Shine
The examples we’ve used here are intentionally simple—short sentences, CTAs, headlines. But the real power of these prompts emerges in longform content: blog posts, landing pages, nurture emails, even video scripts.
These prompts help you zoom in, diagnose weak spots, and refine at every level. Use them not just to edit a line—but to evolve the strategy behind the entire piece.
With the right prompting, your AI evolves from compliant assistant to strategic editor—with the insight of a full creative team.
Marketer Takeaways
- These 11 prompts transform AI from passive assistant to active strategist.
- Use them across any format: landing pages, subject lines, product descriptions, or pitches.
- Prompt stacking allows you to iterate with surgical precision.
- Each prompt teaches your AI to be more like your toughest reader—and your best creative partner.
Media Shower’s AI marketing platform gives you the power of a professional editorial team, built into every prompt. Click here for a free trial.
