Stop shooting in the dark with your content strategy. These enhanced prompts help you create the kind of content your customers are actively searching for, building trust while boosting your SEO game.
Running a business means making tough choices about where to spend your time and energy. Content creation often feels like a shot in the dark. You write what you think sounds good, hit publish, and cross your fingers that someone, somewhere, will find it valuable.
Here’s the thing: Your customers are already telling you exactly what they want to read about. They’re asking questions on sales calls, searching Google at 2 AM, and scrolling social media looking for answers.
The secret is learning how to listen and respond strategically.
These six content prompts are built on Marcus Sheridan’s proven TAYA (They Ask, You Answer) framework, which has helped thousands of businesses transform their content from generic fluff into revenue-generating assets.
I’ve enhanced each prompt to work better for the current search landscape and busy professionals who need practical results, not theoretical concepts.
1. The Honest Cost Breakdown Post
Why this works: Price and cost questions dominate search traffic. When you’re transparent about pricing, you build trust and capture high-intent buyers who are ready to make decisions.
The Prompt:
You're a strategic content creator and SEO specialist working with [insert your industry/business type] serving [insert your target audience]. Create a comprehensive, search-optimized blog post that answers:
"What does [insert your product/service] actually cost in 2025?"
Structure your post to include:
- Real price ranges with specific examples
- The 5 biggest factors that make costs go up or down
- Hidden costs people don't expect (be honest about these)
- A simple framework to help buyers budget realistically
- Red flags that indicate overpricing or underpricing
Write in a conversational, trustworthy tone. Include a clear call-to-action that offers a personalized cost estimate. Target 1,500-2,000 words and optimize for long-tail keywords around pricing questions.
What specific pricing challenges does your audience face that I should address?
Pro tip: Include real numbers whenever possible. Ranges work better than single figures because they feel more honest and cover different scenarios.
2. The “Let’s Get Real About Problems” Post
Why this works: People research problems before they research solutions. When you acknowledge drawbacks honestly, you become the trusted advisor rather than just another salesperson.
The Prompt:
You're a customer advocacy writer specializing in [insert your industry]. Your goal is building long-term trust with [insert your customer persona].
Write an SEO-optimized blog post titled:
"The Real Problems with [insert your product/service] (and how to solve them)"
Cover these elements:
- The top 3 legitimate drawbacks or limitations
- Who should NOT choose this solution (be specific)
- Practical workarounds for each problem
- Alternative solutions for people who aren't a good fit
- Stories from customers who overcame these challenges
Use a tone that's honest but not discouraging. Include internal links to related content and optimize for keywords around " problems," " disadvantages," and " limitations."
Target 1,200-1,800 words. End with a clear next step for people who still think it's right for them.
What are the most common objections or concerns your sales team hears?
Pro tip: This type of content often ranks well because competitors avoid writing about problems. You’ll capture traffic they’re missing.
3. The Ultimate Comparison Guide
Why this works: “X vs Y” searches have incredibly high buyer intent. People making comparisons are usually close to making a decision.
The Prompt:
You're an industry analyst and comparison expert. Create an in-depth, unbiased comparison article:
"[Your product/service] vs [Main competitor] vs [Alternative option]: The Complete 2025 Guide"
Include these sections:
- Side-by-side feature comparison table
- Pricing breakdown with total cost of ownership
- Ideal customer profile for each option
- Real user scenarios showing who wins in different situations
- Pros and cons for each (be genuinely fair)
- Implementation complexity and time investment
Write for [insert your target audience] who are [insert their situation/pain point]. Use a neutral, analytical tone that builds credibility. Include quotes from actual users when possible.
Optimize for comparison keywords and include schema markup for better search visibility. Target 2,000-2,500 words.
What are the key differentiators that matter most to your customers when comparing options?
Pro tip: Being genuinely fair about competitors builds trust. Acknowledge where they excel, then explain why your solution might still be better for specific use cases.
4. The Authentic Reviews Roundup
Why this works: Social proof influences purchasing decisions, and people actively search for reviews before buying anything significant.
The Prompt:
You're a consumer research specialist. Write an evidence-based review analysis:
"[Your product/service] Reviews: What 200+ Real Customers Actually Say in 2025"
Structure your analysis:
- Summary of overall satisfaction ratings
- Most praised features (with specific examples)
- Common complaints and how serious they are
- Comparison to industry standards
- Who loves it vs who struggles with it
- Recent improvements based on customer feedback
- Verified customer stories (3-4 detailed examples)
Pull insights from multiple review platforms, social media, and customer interviews. Include direct quotes but anonymize sensitive details.
Write in an investigative journalism style that feels balanced and thorough. Optimize for " reviews," " testimonials," and " customer feedback."
Target 1,800-2,200 words and include review schema markup.
What review platforms do your customers use most, and what themes come up repeatedly?
Pro tip: Include negative reviews and explain context. This helps build credibility and sets realistic expectations.
5. The “Best Of” Authority Builder
Why this works: “Best [enter product/service]” searches capture people ready to buy. Ranking for these terms positions you as an industry authority.
The Prompt:
You're a market research expert and industry insider. Create an authoritative guide:
"The 7 Best [Product/service type] Companies in [Your location/industry] for 2025"
For each company, include:
- What makes them stand out
- Their ideal customer type
- Pricing tier and value proposition
- Strengths and potential weaknesses
- Customer service approach
- Recent innovations or improvements
Include [your company name] in positions 2-3 (being #1 looks biased). Be genuinely helpful about when competitors might be better choices.
Add these sections:
- How to evaluate options for your specific needs
- Questions to ask during the selection process
- Red flags to watch out for
- Industry trends affecting this space
Write for [target audience] facing [specific challenge]. Use a consultant's tone, knowledgeable but accessible.
Target 2,500-3,000 words with local SEO optimization if relevant.
What criteria matter most to your customers when evaluating companies in your space?
Pro tip: Include competitors generously but strategically. Position your company as the best choice for your ideal customer profile.
6. The Step-by-Step Selection Guide
Why this works: “How to choose” content captures people in the research phase and guides them toward better decisions. It builds trust by being genuinely helpful.
The Prompt:
You're an expert consultant helping [target audience] make better purchasing decisions. Create a comprehensive guide:
"How to Choose the Right [Product/service] for Your [Specific situation] in 2025: A Step-by-Step Framework"
Break it down into clear phases:
Phase 1: Define Your Requirements
- Key questions to ask yourself
- Common mistakes in requirement gathering
- Budget planning worksheets
Phase 2: Research and Shortlist
- Where to find reliable information
- Red flags that eliminate options quickly
- How to compare apples to apples
Phase 3: Evaluation Process
- Questions to ask potential providers
- Trial or demo best practices
- Reference checking strategies
Phase 4: Making the Final Decision
- Decision matrix template
- Contract negotiation tips
- Implementation planning
Include checklists, templates, and real examples throughout. Write in a coaching tone that builds confidence.
Optimize for "how to choose," "best practices," and " buying guide" keywords.
Target 2,000-3,000 words with downloadable resources.
What's the biggest mistake you see people make when choosing solutions in your industry?
Pro tip: Make this genuinely useful even for people who don’t choose you. The goodwill pays off through referrals and social sharing.
Making These Prompts Work for Your Business
These aren’t just templates to fill in and forget. They’re starting points for creating content that actually moves the needle for your business. Here’s how to get the most from them:
Start with real customer conversations. The best content comes from understanding actual questions, concerns, and decision-making processes. Spend time with your sales team, customer service team, and customers themselves.
Don’t skip the research phase. Before writing anything, understand what’s already ranking for your target keywords. What gaps exist? What questions aren’t being answered well?
Think in content clusters, not single posts. Each of these prompts can spawn multiple related pieces. A pricing post might lead to comparison posts, which connect to selection guides.
Track what works. Monitor not just traffic, but engagement, shares, and most importantly, leads and conversions. Content that drives business results gets priority.
Update regularly. Markets change, competitors evolve, and customer needs shift. Review and refresh your high-performing content at least quarterly.
The businesses winning with content aren’t the ones creating the most. They’re the ones making the most helpful content for people who are ready to buy. These prompts help you focus on what matters: answering real questions that lead to real business results.
Your customers are already searching for this information. The question is whether they’ll find you or your competitors when they do.
Emily Sprinkle, also known as Emma Loggins, is a designer, marketer, blogger, and speaker. She is the Editor-In-Chief for Women's Business Daily where she pulls from her experience as the CEO and Director of Strategy for Excite Creative Studios, where she specializes in web development, UI/UX design, social media marketing, and overall strategy for her clients.
Emily has also written for CNN, Autotrader, The Guardian, and is also the Editor-In-Chief for the geek lifestyle site FanBolt.com
