15 ChatGPT Prompts for Small Business Social Media (Copy & Paste)

Staring at a blank caption box at 9pm? You're not alone. After 8 years of creating social media for businesses across Scotland and beyond, I can tell you the hardest part is rarely the posting. It's knowing what to say.

That's where ChatGPT earns its keep. Used properly, it's like having a junior copywriter on call. Used badly, it makes you sound like every other business online.

Here are the 15 prompts we actually use at Tartan Social, ready to copy, paste and make your own.

First: how to get good results from ChatGPT

The prompt is only as good as the information you give it. Before you use any of the prompts below, start a new chat and paste this in:

"I run [business] in [town]. My customers are [who they are]. They usually buy because [reason]. My tone is [friendly / professional / cheeky]. Keep everything in UK English. Remember this for the rest of our chat."

That one message will improve every answer you get.

Tartan Social tip: the more real detail you give it (prices, locations, customer questions), the less it sounds like a robot.

Planning prompts

1. "Give me 12 social media post ideas for next month. Mix posts that show my work, answer customer questions, build trust and tell people how to book."

2. "What are the 10 questions my customers are most likely to ask before buying from a business like mine? Turn each one into a post idea."

3. "Create a simple weekly posting plan for Instagram and Facebook, 3 posts a week, based on the ideas above."

Caption prompts

1. "Write a friendly Instagram caption about [job or product]. Under 80 words, one emoji, ending with how to book."

2. "Turn this rough note into a Facebook post for local customers: [paste your note]."

3. "Write 3 versions of this caption: one short, one storytelling, one direct and salesy."

4. "Rewrite this caption so it sounds warmer and more like a real person talking: [paste caption]."

Hook prompts

1. "Give me 10 scroll-stopping first lines for a post about [topic]. Keep each under 10 words."

2. "Write 5 'unpopular opinion' hooks about [your industry] that my customers would agree with."

Engagement and replies

1. "Write a friendly reply to this review that thanks them by name and mentions [detail]: [paste review]."

2. "Suggest 5 poll or question Stories my customers would actually want to answer."

Repurposing prompts

1. "Turn this blog post into 5 social media posts: 2 carousels, 2 short captions and 1 Reel script: [paste blog]."

2. "Turn this caption into a 20-second talking-head video script with a hook in the first line."

Selling prompts

1. "Write a post announcing [offer] that doesn't sound pushy. Focus on the problem it solves."

2. "Write a short, friendly follow-up message for someone who asked about my prices but didn't book."

3 rules before you hit post

• Always edit it. Add a real detail only you would know: a street name, a customer's words, a photo from today.

• Never paste private customer information into an AI tool.

• Read it out loud. If you wouldn't say it to a customer's face, change it.

Want more tools? Here are our favourite AI tools for small business marketing.

Frequently asked questions

Is it OK to use ChatGPT for business social media?

Yes, as long as you use it as a starting point, not the finished article. The businesses that do well with AI still add their own voice, photos and real stories.

Will people know my post was written by AI?

They'll know if it's generic. Give it proper detail and always edit the result, and your posts will still sound like you.

Is ChatGPT free?

There's a free version that's perfectly good for social media captions. Paid plans add extra features, so check OpenAI's website for current options.

Want it done for you instead?

At Tartan Social we use AI to do the heavy lifting and real, experienced people to make it sound like you. That's how our clients get more for their money. Done-for-you social media packages start from £399.

Get in touch and we'll send you 3 free fixes for your page.