Copy, paste, and fill the brackets to brief any writer or AI. It bakes in modern copywriting, SEO, and style control; without the robotic sheen.
You are a senior copywriter. Write a human-sounding, fact-checked [FORMAT: blog post/article/guide] on [TOPIC] for [AUDIENCE]. Goal: [PRIMARY GOAL e.g., educate/convert/earn links].
Voice & tone: [3–6 adjectives e.g., clear, warm, authoritative, witty]. Reading level: [GRADE e.g., Grade 8]. Locale & spelling: [COUNTRY VARIANT e.g., US/UK/AU]. POV: [1st/2nd/3rd person].
Length: [WORD COUNT RANGE]. Structure: Use a strong hook, then logically flow using AIDA/PAS where natural. Short paragraphs (≤3 lines), precise subheads, scannable lists, and specific examples.
SEO:
- Primary keyword(s): [KEYWORDS]. Secondary entities: [ENTITIES/RELATED TERMS].
- Search intent: [INTENT e.g., transactional/informational/comparison].
- Include an SEO title (≤60 chars), meta description (≤155 chars), URL slug, H2/H3 outline.
- Naturally integrate internal links to: [INTERNAL PAGES].
- Cite 2–4 reputable external sources where helpful. No fluff.
Content rules:
- Lead with a relatable scene, question, or tension. Avoid clichés.
- Prefer concrete nouns, strong verbs, numbers, and named examples.
- Show, then tell: mini case studies, quick calculations, micro-stories.
- Add one table or checklist if useful.
- Include 3–5 FAQs with concise answers.
- End with a single, specific CTA: [CTA].
Compliance & guardrails:
- Avoid: [DISALLOWED CLAIMS/PHRASES].
- If data is uncertain, state the uncertainty or omit.
- Do not invent quotes, stats, or testimonials.
Deliverables (in order):
1) SEO title, meta description, slug.
2) 6–10 bullet outline (H2/H3).
3) Final article with tasteful formatting.
4) TL;DR (3–5 bullets).
5) FAQs (3–5).
6) Social post variations: 1 tweet, 1 LinkedIn caption, 1 Facebook caption.
7) Suggested images/diagrams (titles + alt text).Editing checklist (apply before handing off):
- Remove filler and hedging. Kill 10% of words.
- Replace passive voice where possible.
- Read aloud for rhythm; vary sentence length.
- Verify all facts and links.
- Ensure every section earns its keep.
TL;DR
- Start with the reader’s job-to-be-done, not your keywords.
- Hook with tension; resolve with proof.
- Write like you talk; then edit like you bill by the word.
- Show specifics, numbers, and micro-stories.
- Make SEO serve clarity, not the other way around.
Begin with the reader’s job, not your topic
Topics are nouns; jobs are verbs. “Email marketing” is a topic. “Get more replies without annoying people” is a job. Define:
- Who: one clear persona.
- What they want: the outcome in their words.
- What’s in the way: the friction you’ll remove today.
If you can’t explain those in two sentences, you’re writing for yourself.
Hook with honest tension
People keep reading to resolve discomfort. Open with one of these:
- The Gap: “Open rates rose. Replies didn’t. Here’s why.”
- The Scene: “At 8:59 a.m., Ben hit send; and braced.”
- The Contrarian: “Your ‘Ultimate Guide’ is 2,000 words too long.”
Then pivot: “Here’s the simple path.” Promise value. Deliver quickly.
Structure that carries readers, not just words
Use AIDA or PAS lightly; scaffolding, not shackles.
- Problem: Name it precisely.
- Agitation: Show stakes with specifics.
- Solution: The shortest path that actually works.
- Proof: Data, example, before/after.
- Next step: One action, not five.
Each H2 should answer a question. Each paragraph should do one job.
Sound human: specifics > adjectives
Robotic copy hides behind vagueness. Humans point.
- Swap “optimize” for the exact action: split your CTA 50/50 and measure replies.
- Replace “great” with a number, a name, or a screenshot.
- Prefer concrete nouns (“seven-sentence opener”) and strong verbs (“cut,” “ship,” “test”).
Bonus: vary sentence length. Earn your short sentences.
Show, don’t assert
Readers don’t need your certainty; they need your evidence.
- Micro-case: “We cut the intro by 60 words. Time-on-page rose 18%.”
- Tiny experiment: “Two subject lines. 1,000 sends each. Replies doubled with a question.”
- Quote a practitioner: Real names, real roles; or don’t quote.
Make SEO your servant
Good SEO clarifies intent. Bad SEO clutters paragraphs.
- Map one primary intent. Don’t mix “what is” with “best tools” in the same post.
- Cluster related entities naturally instead of stuffing synonyms.
- Internal links are promises: only link to pages that advance the reader’s next step.
- Write the meta last. If your post needs clickbait to be clicked, the post is wrong.
Format for scanners; reward the readers
People scan. Respect that.
- Subheads that preview value, not mystery.
- Lists when order matters; tables when comparison matters.
- Pull-quotes only for real insight, not decoration.
- Images earn their place with a caption that teaches.
Edit like a professional spoiler
Editing is where robotic becomes human.
- Cut every sentence that props up your ego.
- Replace “There are” and “It is” openers.
- Read aloud. Fix any spot where you ran out of breath.
- Kill 10% of words. Then kill 5% more.
A simple template you can steal
H1: The outcome in the reader’s words
Intro (4–6 lines): Tension → promise → path
H2 #1—Define the real problem
1–2 paragraphs + one concrete example
H2 #2—Short path to the outcome
Steps (3–5), each starting with a verb
H2 #3—Proof that it works
Mini case, number, or quote
H2 #4—Common mistakes
Bullets with fixes
H2 #5—Do this next
One clear action + tool/template
CTA: One sentence
Before/After: robotic vs. human
Robotic:
“Content quality is very important. You should consider readability and engagement to maximize performance across channels.”
Human:
“Cut your intro in half. Put the best sentence second. Watch average scroll depth jump on your next post.”
FAQ
How long should a post be?
As long as it needs to deliver the promised outcome; no longer.
Do I need a story in every post?
You need tension. Sometimes that’s a story. Sometimes it’s a surprising number.
What if I’m not funny?
Be clear. Clarity ages well; jokes don’t always.
Is AI okay?
Yes; if you guide it with sharp prompts and verify every fact like your name is on the door.
Drop-in Prompt (Mini)
Steal this compact version for day-to-day briefs:
“Write a [length] [format] on [topic] for [audience]. Goal: [goal]. Tone: [adjectives]. Use a hook with tension, AIDA/PAS structure, short paragraphs, concrete examples, and one table/checklist. Optimize for the primary keyword [keyword] and intent [intent]. Provide SEO title (≤60 chars), meta (≤155), slug, outline, 3–5 FAQs, TL;DR, and one specific CTA. Cite reputable sources where needed. Remove fluff, reduce passive voice, and cut 10–15% on edit.”
Use the mega prompt to brief deeply; use the mini to ship quickly. Either way, write for humans first; and let the algorithms keep up.
