Replace the [brackets] with your details. For the bigger picture, see ChatGPT for YouTube.
Topics and titles
- Topics: "List 30 questions a [customer] asks before hiring a [your service]. Group them into three themes."
- Titles: "Write 10 YouTube titles for a video answering '[question]'. Put the key phrase '[phrase]' in the first half. Under 70 characters. No hype words."
- Thumbnail text: "Suggest 5 thumbnail phrases of 3 words or fewer for the title '[title]' that add to it rather than repeat it."
Hooks and outlines
- Hooks: "Write 5 opening lines for a video on [topic] that name the viewer's exact frustration in the first 10 seconds."
- Outline: "Outline a tight 8-minute video on [topic]: a 5-second tease, a one-sentence promise, 3 points with one example each, a mid-video mention of my free [offer], a 20-second wrap-up."
- Tighten: "Here's my script. Remove anything that doesn't serve the promise in the title '[title]'."
Descriptions, chapters and CTAs
- First line: "Write 5 benefit-first first lines for my description offering a free [offer]. Under 100 characters, ending with the link."
- Description: "From this transcript, write a 3-sentence description using the words my viewer would search. [paste]"
- Chapters: "Create YouTube chapters from this timestamped transcript, starting at 0:00. [paste]"
- On-screen CTA: "Write 5 short, friendly lines offering my free [offer] mid-video. Under 15 words each."
Follow-up emails
- Welcome email: "Write a welcome email for people who joined to get [offer]: deliver it in line one, introduce me in two sentences, give one quick tip, and point to [video]."
- Video-to-email: "Turn this transcript into a 200-word email with one tip and a link to the full video. [paste]"
How to get better results from any prompt
- Give context first: your business, your viewer, your offer and your tone.
- Ask for options, not one answer: "Give me ten," then pick and combine.
- Supply real material: paste your transcript, notes or customer questions so the output is grounded in what you actually said.
- Iterate: "Make it shorter," "Plainer words," "Remove the hype."
- Check facts yourself: dates, prices, rules and statistics.
A context block to paste before any prompt
I run [business] serving [customer] in [place]. My viewers are [who] and they usually want [result]. My free offer is [offer]. My tone is [plain, friendly, direct]. Avoid hype words and exaggerated claims.
Prompts for reviewing your own video
- "Here's my title and the first 30 seconds of transcript. Does the opening deliver the title's promise quickly? Suggest a tighter version."
- "List any sections of this transcript that don't serve the title."
- "Where would be the natural first high point to mention my free offer?"
Watch out
Common prompt mistakes
- No context, which produces generic output.
- Accepting the first draft.
- Asking AI to invent stories or results. Only use real experiences.
Dave’s take
A principle I keep coming back to
"Lead with greed." (Dave)
Whatever the AI writes, make sure it tells the viewer what they get first.
AI shortcut
How can AI speed this up?
AI tools and plans checked October 18, 2026. They change often, so confirm on each tool's own page. No affiliate links.
- Same prompts, any assistant. These prompts work in ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Grok. Try two and keep the one whose drafts need least editing.
Tools mentioned:
- ChatGPT: free plan, Go ($8 a month in the US) and Plus ($20 a month).
- Claude: free plan, Pro at $20 a month.
- Gemini: free plan includes image generation and editing and Deep Research, and the app can connect to YouTube and other Google apps; Google AI Plus is $4.99 a month and Google AI Pro $19.99 a month (US).
- Grok: free to start with limited use, works alongside X; paid plans start at Plus ($8 a month), with Premium at $30 a month.
AI is great for first drafts. Always edit the result so it sounds like you and is accurate for your business.
Key takeaways
- Good prompts include your customer, your offer and your real examples.
- Ask for options, then choose; don't accept the first answer.
- These prompts work in ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Grok.
- Always check facts and edit for your voice.
