🤖 AI Prompt - 3 Powerful Prompts to Turn ChatGPT Into an Idea Generating Machine

Brainstorm like a Jedi Master!

Brainstorming is one of the most powerful and versatile applications of ChatGPT.

With the right approach, you can transform it into an unlimited source of creative ideas for your projects, businesses, or content.

The best part?

You don’t need to overthink it! Just use a few strategic prompts, and you’re good to go.

In this post, we’ll explore three powerful set of prompts that will unlock ChatGPT’s true potential as an idea generating machine.

1. 🧠 Generate 30 Ideas

2. 🧠 Use Brainstorming Frameworks

3. 🧠 Panel of Experts

These techniques are practical, easy to use, and incredibly effective.

Let’s go!

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🧠 Generate 30 Ideas

Sometimes, the key to finding the perfect idea is generating as many as possible.

By asking ChatGPT for a large batch of ideas, you’re increasing your chances of uncovering a hidden gem.

Why 30 Ideas Work

I’ve tried 10, 20, 30 and beyond. The magic number 30 strikes a balance between quantity and quality.

Not every idea will be a hit, but even a handful of solid ones will provide a strong foundation to build on.

Prompt

Start with this simple command:

“Generate 20 ideas for [your topic]”

Example:

Let’s say you’re brainstorming blog topics for a travel website. Here’s what you could ask:

“Generate 20 blog post ideas for a travel blog focused on budget-friendly trips.”

ChatGPT might give you:

1. “10 Tips for Booking Cheap Flights Like a Pro”

2. “How to Travel Europe on $50 a Day”

3. “Budget-Friendly Destinations for Solo Travelers”

…and so on.

Some ideas might be too generic, but others can spark unique, actionable content.

Follow-Up Prompt

After you identify your favorites, refine the results further:

“I like ideas 2, 3, and 5. Can you generate 20 more ideas similar to those?”

With each iteration, the results become more tailored to your needs. You may iterate further until you are super satisfied with the outputs.

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🧠 Use Brainstorming Frameworks

If you’re feeling stuck or need more structure in your ideation process, try applying established brainstorming frameworks.

These tools help ChatGPT approach your topic from different angles, ensuring a variety of creative results.

Popular Brainstorming Frameworks to Try

Here are a few effective frameworks you can use:

• 💡 5 Whys: Dig deep into the root cause of an issue.

• 💡 SCAMPER: Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to Another Use, Eliminate, Reverse.

• 💡 Six Thinking Hats: Analyze ideas from different perspectives—creative, logical, emotional, etc.

• 💡 Mind Mapping: Visualize related ideas branching off from a central concept.

• 💡 Starbursting: Focus on the “who, what, when, where, why, and how” of a topic.

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Brainstorming frameworks provide structure to creative thinking.

They help explore topics from different angles and ensure no idea or solution is left unexplored.

Let’s break down each framework in detail to understand how to use them effectively.

💡 5 Whys: Dig Deep Into the Root Cause of an Issue

The 5 Whys technique is a simple, yet powerful, method for problem-solving. It helps you uncover the root cause of an issue by repeatedly asking “why” until you reach the underlying reason. While five is a general guideline, you might need fewer or more iterations depending on the complexity of the issue.

Steps to Use the 5 Whys:

1. Identify the Problem: Start with a clear statement of the problem.

2. Ask “Why”: Identify why the problem is happening.

3. Repeat: Use the answer to ask “why” again.

4. Continue Until the Root Cause is Found: Stop when asking “why” no longer adds value or reveals new insights.

Example:

Problem: Customers are abandoning their carts on your e-commerce site.

• Why #1: Why are customers leaving?

  • They don’t want to pay high shipping fees.

• Why #2: Why are shipping fees so high?

  • Because we use only one premium shipping provider.

• Why #3: Why do we use just one provider?

  • Because we haven’t negotiated contracts with others.

• Why #4: Why haven’t we negotiated contracts?

  • Because we don’t have a dedicated logistics manager.

Root Cause: Lack of a logistics manager to oversee and optimize shipping operations.

Use Case:

This framework is excellent for diagnosing inefficiencies in processes, identifying barriers, and improving systems.

💡 SCAMPER: A Creative Problem-Solving Tool

SCAMPER is an acronym for a set of techniques to help you brainstorm improvements to existing ideas, products, or processes. It encourages you to think creatively and discover opportunities by tweaking existing elements.

SCAMPER Breakdown:

• Substitute: What can you replace in the product, process, or idea?

• Combine: Can you merge two ideas, features, or functions?

• Adapt: What ideas can you borrow or modify from other industries?

• Modify: Can you enhance or change a feature for better performance?

• Put to Another Use: Can you repurpose the idea for a different use?

• Eliminate: What unnecessary parts can you remove?

• Reverse: Can you rearrange or do the opposite of the current setup?

Example:

Product: A coffee mug

• Substitute: Replace plastic lids with eco-friendly bamboo lids.

• Combine: Add a built-in coaster on the bottom of the mug.

• Adapt: Use technology from thermos bottles to improve heat retention.

• Modify: Create mugs with customizable designs for gifting.

• Put to Another Use: Market the mug as a desk organizer for pens.

• Eliminate: Remove handles to save space in storage.

• Reverse: Make the mug stackable by designing a flat top.

Use Case:

SCAMPER is ideal for product development, marketing, and refining existing concepts.

💡 Six Thinking Hats: Analyzing Ideas from Different Perspectives

Created by Edward de Bono, the Six Thinking Hats method encourages you to evaluate a problem or idea from six distinct perspectives. Each “hat” represents a specific type of thinking, allowing for balanced, comprehensive analysis.

The Six Hats:

1. White Hat: Focuses on facts, data, and information. What do we know? What do we need to know?

2. Red Hat: Represents emotions, intuition, and feelings. How do people feel about this?

3. Black Hat: Covers risks, obstacles, and critical thinking. What could go wrong?

4. Yellow Hat: Focuses on optimism and potential benefits. What’s the best-case scenario?

5. Green Hat: Represents creativity and innovation. What new ideas could solve the problem?

6. Blue Hat: Focuses on control and organization. What’s the next step?

Example:

Topic: Launching a new app

1. White Hat: The app is targeted at 18-25-year-olds; research shows high interest in convenience tools.

2. Red Hat: Some team members feel the app may not differentiate itself enough.

3. Black Hat: Potential risks include competition from established brands.

4. Yellow Hat: If successful, the app could capture a lucrative market segment.

5. Green Hat: Let’s brainstorm unique features, like AI recommendations.

6. Blue Hat: Next steps include a feasibility study and prototype testing.

Use Case:

This framework is excellent for team collaboration, ensuring all perspectives are considered before making decisions.

💡 Mind Mapping: Visualizing Related Ideas

Mind mapping is a visual brainstorming tool that helps you organize ideas around a central concept. It’s particularly useful for uncovering relationships between ideas and exploring multiple directions.

How to Create a Mind Map:

1. Start with the Central Idea: Write the main topic in the center of the page.

2. Branch Out: Create branches for related subtopics or ideas.

3. Add Details: Expand on each subtopic with additional branches.

4. Connect Ideas: Draw lines between related concepts to show relationships.

Example:

Topic: Content ideas for a fitness blog

1. Central Idea: Fitness Blog

2. Branch 1: Workout Routines

   1. Home workouts

   2. Gym training plans

3. Branch 2: Nutrition

   1. Meal prep ideas

   2. Best supplements

4. Branch 3: Motivation

   1. Goal setting tips

   2. Success stories

Use Case:

Mind mapping is perfect for brainstorming content ideas, project planning, or exploring complex topics.

💡 Starbursting: Focusing on the “Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How”

Starbursting is a structured technique that focuses on asking questions rather than generating answers.

It’s designed to fully explore a topic by asking the fundamental questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.

How to Use Starbursting:

1. Start with the topic in the center of the star.

2. Draw six branches labeled “Who,” “What,” “When,” “Where,” “Why,” and “How.”

3. On each branch, write as many questions as possible related to the main topic.

Example:

Topic: Launching a new podcast

• Who: Who is the target audience? Who will host the podcast?

• What: What topics will we cover? What format will the show take?

• When: When will we release episodes? When is the best time to launch?

• Where: Where will we promote the podcast? Where will we host it?

• Why: Why will people listen? Why are we creating this podcast?

• How: How will we monetize it? How will we attract listeners?

Use Case:

Starbursting is ideal for planning projects, launching products, or tackling new business ideas.

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By incorporating these frameworks into your brainstorming sessions, you’ll generate better ideas, solve problems more effectively, and unlock new possibilities.

Prompt

Here’s the command to get started:

“Using the [name of framework] brainstorming framework, brainstorm the following topic: [your topic]”

Pro tip: make sure you align the framework with the best use cases!

Example:

Say you’re developing a new product idea. Use SCAMPER like this:

“Using the SCAMPER framework, brainstorm ways to improve the functionality of reusable water bottles.”

ChatGPT might respond with:

1. Substitute

   1. Replace plastic materials with sustainable, biodegradable, or compostable materials.

   2. Swap traditional caps with self-cleaning or auto-sealing caps.

   3. Substitute the standard bottle insulation with aerogel or advanced materials for better temperature regulation.

2. Combine

   1. Combine a reusable water bottle with a hydration tracking system (e.g., a built-in digital tracker or app connectivity).

   2. Add a detachable snack compartment or pill organizer.

   3. Combine the bottle with a UV sterilizer to clean water on the go.

   4. Integrate a Bluetooth speaker or flashlight into the bottle for outdoor activities.

3. Adapt

   1. Adapt the bottle’s design for easier cleaning by making it fully collapsible or having removable inner linings.

   2. Create versions that adapt to different environments, such as a vacuum-sealed bottle for hot climates or a rugged design for outdoor adventures.

   3. Include a universal attachment that can connect the bottle to bike holders, backpacks, or gym equipment.

4. Modify

   1. Modify the size to make it expandable or collapsible to suit different carrying needs (e.g., compact for travel, larger for workouts).

   2. Change the shape to allow for a better grip or fit in unconventional spaces (like car cup holders or gym bags).

   3. Enhance the cap with a one-handed operation mechanism for convenience during sports or driving.

5. Put to Another Use

   1. Design the bottle to double as a dumbbell by filling it with water or sand.

   2. Include an integrated filtration system to turn it into a portable water purifier for camping or hiking.

   3. Allow it to function as a hot water bottle for warmth in colder climates.

6. Eliminate

   1. Remove the need for external cleaning by incorporating self-cleaning technology.

   2. Eliminate the risk of spills with better-sealing mechanisms.

   3. Reduce the use of extra materials by making the bottle more compact and minimalist.

7. Rearrange

   1. Rearrange the placement of components, such as moving the spout to the side for better ergonomics.

   2. Add interchangeable bases for different purposes (e.g., insulated base, storage compartment, or Bluetooth speaker base).

   3. Make the bottle modular, allowing users to rearrange sections to customize capacity or add extra features like filters or compartments.

The structured nature of frameworks makes it easier to explore ideas you might not think of otherwise.

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🧠 Panel of Experts

Sometimes the best ideas come from diverse perspectives.

You can simulate a brainstorming session with multiple experts, each contributing unique insights to the same problem.

Why It Works

By assigning ChatGPT different roles (e.g., marketing expert, product manager, or entrepreneur), you encourage it to generate ideas that are broader and more varied.

Prompt

We are in a brainstorming session with:

• A marketing expert

• A sales expert

• A product expert

Each expert should come up with 10 ideas on [your topic].

Example:

If you’re brainstorming for a new online course, here’s how it might go:

“We are in a brainstorming session with:

• A marketing expert

• A sales expert

• A product expert

Each expert should come up with 10 ideas for promoting an online course on productivity.”

ChatGPT could generate ideas like:

Marketing Expert:

• Create a social media campaign highlighting success stories.

• Partner with influencers in the productivity niche.

Sales Expert:

• Offer a limited-time discount for early sign-ups.

• Use email sequences to convert free trial users into paying customers.

Product Expert:

• Add interactive quizzes to keep students engaged.

• Create a premium package with one-on-one coaching sessions.

You get the picture—it’s a brainstorming powerhouse!

Final Thoughts

Using these three set of prompts you can unlock ChatGPT’s full potential for brainstorming.

Whether you’re planning a marketing campaign, developing a product, or simply looking for content ideas, these techniques will help you find innovative solutions with ease.

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