What NOT to Put in ChatGPT: 7 Gotchas Small Biz Owners Should Avoid

🚫 Why What You Don’t Say Matters

Using ChatGPT can save you hours of content creation time—but only if you know what to avoid.

Just like a good recipe, your prompt needs the right ingredients. Too vague? Too stiff? Too generic? Your result will be a beige, boring blob of copy.

Here are 7 things to leave out of your next prompt—and what to do instead.

1. “Write a professional post”

❌ Why not: It sounds vague and boring, and usually leads to stiff, generic corporate language. ✅ Try instead: “Write in a warm, confident tone that feels like a real person, not a brand announcement.”

2. “Dear Valued Customer”

❌ Why not: No one talks like this. It sounds like a refund letter from 2009. ✅ Try instead: “Hey there” or “Hi [first name]” or even “Lovely humans”—whatever fits your voice.

3. “Create content to go viral”

❌ Why not: It’s wishful thinking, and gives the AI zero direction. ✅ Try instead: “Create a relatable Instagram caption using emojis and a friendly, cheeky tone that encourages comments.”

4. “Use SEO keywords for 2022”

❌ Why not: AI doesn’t always know what’s up-to-date unless you tell it. Keywords change fast. ✅ Try instead: Use current SEO tools (like Ubersuggest or Semrush) and plug them into your prompt manually.

5. Overused words: Leverage, Synergy, Solution-driven

❌ Why not: These buzzwords make your brand sound robotic and generic. ✅ Try instead: Use plain language. “Help,” “work together,” “solve” or better yet—describe the actual benefit.

6. Too-short prompts

❌ Why not: One-liners like “Write me a blog post” won’t get you far. ✅ Try instead: Use the Role → Task → Format structure.

“You are a wellness coach. Write a short, warm email about setting boundaries using a storytelling format.”

7. Tone Confusion

❌ Why not: If you don’t tell AI your brand voice, it defaults to generic. ✅ Try instead: Add a line like, “My tone is thoughtful, clear, and conversational. Avoid sounding too salesy or corporate.”

🧠 Final Pro Tips

• Save your best prompts so you can reuse them

• Always check the output—it’s a first draft, not gospel

• Keep your tone and audience front and centre

✅ Try This Prompt:

“You are a local business owner who writes with warmth and clarity. Write a caption for Instagram that busts a common myth, includes an emoji, and invites comments.”

Test it. Tweak it. Then post it.

🚀 Want Prompts That Work?

Shop our ready-made prompt packs or book a 1:1 Power Hour to learn how to train AI to sound like you.

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