This article is repurposed from a LinkedIn post on 5-22-2025
You’ve seen them. The endless carousel posts and viral lists promising “50 ChatGPT prompts to write your content for you.” And yet, when you try them, you get back generic garbage that falls flat and misses the point.
The Problem with Cookie-Cutter Prompts
Let’s take a common prompt example floating around the internet:
“Hey ChatGPT, pretend you’re an expert researcher and write me a blog (or post or article) on [topic] for [audience]. Make it clear, add bullet points, and keep it under 1,000 words.”
Looks decent, right? But here’s why it falls flat:
1. ChatGPT Doesn’t Know You
Your voice. Your brand. Your target audience. You can’t fit that nuance into a one-line prompt. Without context, ChatGPT defaults to bland, boilerplate output that sounds like… well, everyone else.
2. ChatGPT Can’t Access the Latest Information
As of now, the default model’s knowledge stops at June 2024. Unless you’re using tools with real-time web access (and know how to direct them), it won’t have current data.
3. ChatGPT Doesn’t Search the Web
Contrary to what many assume, ChatGPT doesn’t auto-pull sources. Free accounts can’t browse. “Browse with Bing” is gone. If you don’t feed it new data, it’s guessing.
So What Works Instead?
Step 1: Build a Branded AI Assistant
If you’re using ChatGPT Plus, create a custom GPT that includes:
- Your writing samples
- Brand guidelines
- Audience profiles
- Content examples
This gives the AI context, and that’s everything. No context = generic results.
Step 2: Use Workflows, Not Just Prompts
Prompts are quick tasks. To produce real content, use structured workflows that walk through:
- Topic research
- Audience intent
- Brand tone
- Content goals
Yes, it takes time to build. But once you have a few reusable templates, content creation becomes fast and efficient.
Fast-Track: If You’re in a Rush
Use a multi-tool workflow with smarter AI tools:
- Start with Perplexity, NotebookLM Discovery, or Gemini
Source accurate, multi-format info: YouTube, academic papers, blogs, podcasts, etc. - Curate the Best Content Sources
Pull out links and references that speak to your exact topic or angle. - Drop Sources into NotebookLM
Ask your questions there. It cross-references everything and surfaces insights fast. - Summarize Into One Doc
Create a clear summary of key points across sources. - Write with AI (but feed it the doc!)
Now bring your source doc to ChatGPT, ClaudeAI, or Perplexity for writing. Add your brand context or it’ll still sound generic. - Edit Like a Human
Tweak for clarity, tone, and credibility. This is where your voice really matters.
Treat AI Like a Team Member
The tools are powerful, but they’re only as smart as the input you give them.
Want them to act like a trained assistant? You have to train them like one.
Want personalized results? You need to personalize your setup.
If all you do is shout one-liner prompts like you’re asking Alexa to play Despacito for the millionth time, don’t be surprised when it spits out the same dull script that everyone else is using.
To get standout content, you need standout inputs. Create context. Use smart workflows. And stop relying on generic prompts to do a custom job.
