Using ChatGPT for business ideas without getting generic ones

By · 2 min read · Updated

The short answer

ChatGPT for business ideas gives generic lists unless you give it specifics: your skills, your town, the money and hours you have, and customers you already know. Ask for ideas that fit those limits, then ask it to argue against each one. Test the best idea with real customers before spending, because ChatGPT can't know local demand.

A prompt that works

I'm a licensed electrician in Dayton, Ohio. I have weekends free,
a van, and a small savings budget. Suggest 10 side businesses that
use my license, that people in my area already pay for. For each,
say who the customer is and the biggest reason it could fail.

For an existing business

  • "Here are my five most common jobs. What do these customers often need next that I could offer?"
  • "Here are ten real customer questions. Which could become a paid service?"
  • "Suggest a quiet-season offer for a [trade] business."

Test before you spend

Tell ten existing customers about the idea and see who asks the price. That beats any market analysis a chat assistant writes, because it can't see who's already doing it down the street.

Questions

Can ChatGPT check if an idea is profitable?

It can list costs to check. Real prices and demand have to come from you.

Is it safe to share my idea?

Check data settings, and leave out anything you'd patent or keep secret.

Can it write a business plan?

It drafts a decent outline. Fill in your own numbers.

About the author

, Founder

Jason has spent two decades building sites, search programs, and digital products for businesses. At Lehvel, he leads product and strategy.

Jason Murphy on LinkedIn

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