I Thought I Had No Content Ideas — Then I Gave AI These Inputs

Your content ideas aren't hiding in prompts. They're hiding in your everyday conversations.

Most people are doing it backward. They ask AI for random content suggestions, hoping something sticks.

The results? Generic. Forgettable. Nothing like your actual voice.

The blank page is terrifying, even with AI at your fingertips.

But there's a simpler way: Stop asking AI what to say. Start showing it what you already know.

This approach transforms overwhelming blank screens into organized content plans in minutes.

Client calls, voice notes, DMs—these are content gold mines.

Your everyday conversations reveal patterns—specific topics you naturally return to again and again.

These are your content pillars.

Even if you feel new in your business, you have perspectives that matter.

You're not starting from zero. You're starting from experience.

Now let's identify what those natural themes are for YOU.

Find Your 3 Natural Content Pillars

What Are Content Pillars, Really?

Content pillars are the 2-3 themes you naturally return to when you talk about your work.

No fancy branding jargon needed.

They're not marketing labels—they're alignment tools that help you stay consistent without feeling boxed in.

Think of them as conversational home bases that you naturally return to when helping clients.

Examples by Role or Industry

For coaches, content pillars often look like:
• Mindset shifts
• Habit formation
• Confidence building

For consultants, they might be:
• Systems development
• Growth strategy
• Client onboarding

For freelancers, common pillars include:
• Pricing methodology
• Client boundaries
• Portfolio development

Notice how specific these are to the value each professional provides?

Your pillars should reflect what you actually help people with—not what you think sounds impressive.

How to Find Yours in 5 Minutes

Ask yourself these three questions to uncover your natural content pillars:

1. "What topics do I find myself ranting about?"

2. "What do people constantly ask for my advice on?"

3. "What would I teach someone 6 months behind me?"

Don't overthink this.

For even more clarity, scan these existing sources:
• Voice memos on your phone
• Client messages and emails
• Social posts that got engagement

Look for patterns. They're there.

The goal isn't perfection. These are starting points, not lifetime commitments.

Your content pillars might evolve, but they'll always reflect your core expertise.

Turn Your Inputs into Strategy with This Smart AI Prompt

Stop Asking AI for Ideas — Start Giving It Context

Most people use AI as a content vending machine. That's why they get generic ideas.

They type "give me content ideas for coaches" and wonder why the results sound nothing like them.

The problem isn't the AI. It's the lack of context.

Empty prompts create empty content.

You're going to use a different approach — instead of asking AI for random ideas, you'll feed it structured context about your business.

This simple shift transforms AI from random idea generator to strategic content partner.

The Real Power Isn't the Output — It's What You Put In

The prompt is a personalization system, not a shortcut.

When you fill it out, you clarify how you help and what you care about.

This clarity improves your content and your business thinking.

The process forces you to articulate your value — something most entrepreneurs struggle with.

Here's the Smart Prompt

Copy this into ChatGPT, Claude, or any AI tool:

Act as a strategic content coach who helps {{insert my identity}} turn their unique journey, values, and voice into engaging long-form content ideas. Your goal is to suggest 30 personalized, relevant, and useful article ideas — not generic topics or vague suggestions.

You are helping me create 30 long-form content ideas for my newsletter or blog. I am a {{Describe how you see yourself — e.g., solo entrepreneur, creative coach, therapist, freelance marketer, small business owner}}, and I want these ideas to feel aligned with my message, audience, and journey — not just surface-level tips or disconnected ideas.

Use the following information to guide your thinking. Pay close attention to how each piece of context should influence the ideas you suggest.

My role or identity: {{Describe how you see yourself — e.g., solo entrepreneur, creative coach, therapist, freelance marketer, small business owner}}

→ Use this to guide the tone, voice, and experience level of the content. For example, if I’m a coach, include coaching-relevant scenarios. If I’m a freelancer, include behind-the-scenes or portfolio-driven topics. Let this shape how you frame each idea — so it feels written by someone with that lived perspective.

Who I help: {{Insert the kind of people you help and what you help them with}}

→ Use this to define the target audience for every idea. Shape the ideas to speak directly to their pain points, questions, and motivations. Make sure each idea feels like something that person would want to read, save, or act on.

What I talk about most: {{List 2–3 topics you naturally return to — these will act as your content pillars}}

→ Use these as core content pillars to group the ideas. For each pillar, generate a variety of angles (e.g., how-tos, lessons learned, opinion pieces, stories) to make the content feel fresh and well-rounded.

How I help or what I care about: {{Share a belief, mission, or approach that reflects your values or style}}

→ Use this to shape the underlying message or lens behind each idea. Let it guide the tone, values, or angle of the post — so the content doesn’t just inform, but reflects what I stand for.

My preferred content style: {{Choose one or two — e.g., educational, personal stories, inspirational, behind-the-scenes, quick wins, etc.}}

→ Use this to determine the ideal format and tone for each idea. Suggest topics that match this style — e.g., if I prefer behind-the-scenes content, suggest posts that reveal my process or thinking. Avoid suggesting formats that don’t align with my preferred style.

My current goal: {{What you want from your content right now — e.g., build audience, get clients, stay consistent, validate ideas}}

→ Use this to prioritize ideas that help me achieve that specific goal. For example, if my goal is to get clients, suggest content that builds trust, showcases my expertise, or addresses objections. Each idea should be strategically useful — not just interesting.

What I’m currently navigating: {{Share something real — your current challenge, focus, or stage}}

→ Use this to generate content ideas that explore my real-time experience — what I’m still figuring out, learning the hard way, or navigating in the moment. These ideas should feel personal, honest, and useful — like I’m writing from inside the journey, not from the finish line.

 Instructions for Output:

- Generate 30 long-form content ideas
- Group them into categories based on the content pillars
- Each idea should include enough context or framing to clearly suggest what the full article could explore
- Avoid generic or recycled ideas — connect them clearly to my context above
- Include a mix of content types: how-tos, personal stories, open reflections, process breakdowns, behind-the-scenes, opinion pieces
- Vary the emotional tone — include both motivational and vulnerable ideas, where relevant
- Favor content that reflects my voice, experience, and point of view — not just information

Write how you naturally speak.

Don't overthink it.

The prompt does the structuring for you.

See It in Action: A Real Example

Here's how a business coach completed it:

Act as a strategic content coach who helps life coaches turn their unique journey, values, and voice into engaging long-form content ideas. Your goal is to suggest 30 personalized, relevant, and useful article ideas — not generic topics or vague suggestions.

You are helping me create 30 long-form content ideas for my newsletter or blog. I am a certified life coach helping women in their 30s who feel stuck in life and want to rediscover clarity and direction. I want these ideas to feel aligned with my message, audience, and journey — not just surface-level tips or disconnected ideas.

Use the following information to guide your thinking. Pay close attention to how each piece of context should influence the ideas you suggest.

---

1. My role or identity: I’m a certified life coach helping women in their 30s who feel stuck in life and want to rediscover clarity and direction.

→ Use this to guide the tone, voice, and experience level of the content. For example, if I’m a coach, include coaching-relevant scenarios. Let this shape how you frame each idea — so it feels written by someone with that lived perspective.

---

2. Who I help: I help women who feel like they’re “behind in life” gain clarity, confidence, and a sense of purpose.

→ Use this to define the target audience for every idea. Shape the ideas to speak directly to their pain points, questions, and motivations.

---

3. What I talk about most: Clarity, confidence, self-trust

→ Use these as core content pillars to group the ideas. For each pillar, generate a variety of angles (e.g., how-tos, lessons learned, opinion pieces, stories).

---

4. How I help or what I care about: I believe transformation doesn’t start with doing more — it starts with coming back to yourself.

→ Use this to shape the underlying message or lens behind each idea. Let it guide the tone, values, or angle of the post.

---

5. My preferred content style: Reflective stories, vulnerable lessons, and practical mindset tools

→ Use this to determine the ideal format and tone for each idea. Avoid suggesting formats that don’t align with my preferred style.

---

6. My current goal: Build trust with new readers and connect with potential clients through authentic content

→ Use this to prioritize ideas that help me achieve that specific goal. Each idea should be strategically useful — not just interesting.

---

7. What I’m currently navigating: I’m learning to speak more directly about my coaching offer, while still sounding like myself

→ Use this to generate content ideas that explore my real-time experience — what I’m still figuring out or navigating.

---

Instructions for Output:

- Generate 30 long-form content ideas  
- Group them into categories based on the content pillars  
- Each idea should include enough context or framing to clearly suggest what the full article could explore  
- Avoid generic or recycled ideas — connect them clearly to my context above  
- Include a mix of content types: how-tos, personal stories, open reflections, process breakdowns, behind-the-scenes, opinion pieces  
- Vary the emotional tone — include both motivational and vulnerable ideas, where relevant  
- Favor content that reflects my voice, experience, and point of view — not just information

From this input, the AI generated:

Pillar 1: Clarity (10 Ideas)

1. “The Moment I Realized My Compass Was Broken” (Personal Story / Vulnerable Reflection)
Share a turning‑point story from your own 30s when you felt adrift—how you recognized the misalignment between your daily grind and your true values, and the first steps you took to re‑center.

2. “Why Productivity Hacks Aren’t What You Really Need” (Opinion Piece)
Challenge the myth that doing more equals progress. Explore how chasing external checklists only buries your inner voice, and make the case for pausing and listening instead.

3. “A 4‑Step Framework to Map Your Core Values” (How‑To / Process Breakdown)
Teach a simple coaching tool you use with clients: harvesting recurring themes from life stories, clustering them into values, testing them against current goals, and refining until the compass points true.

4. “Designing a Weekly Clarity Ritual” (Practical Toolkit)
Outline a repeatable ritual—journaling prompts, a guided visualization, and a mini goal‑setting exercise—that helps women in their 30s hit “reset” before the week begins.

5. “Case Study: From Overcommitment to Laser Focus” (Behind‑the‑Scenes / Client Example)
Pull back the curtain on one client’s journey: how she went from saying “yes” to everything to confidently carving out space for what matters most.

6. “When I Stopped Searching and Started Asking Better Questions” (Open Reflection)
Reflect on how swapping “What should I do next?” for “What do I truly care about?” changed the trajectory of your own career and how readers can apply the same shift.

7. “Mapping Your Life’s Roadmap at 30: A Guided Exercise” (How‑To / Interactive)
Provide a downloadable worksheet or template that walks readers through charting their past achievements, current frustrations, and future aspirations—all to pinpoint areas that need clarity.

8. “Why Your ‘Ideal Day’ Exercise Feels Impractical—and What to Do Instead” (Opinion + How‑To)
Critique the clichéd “ideal day” vision board. Offer an alternative: a reality‑based “ideal next week” plan that builds confidence and actionable clarity.

9. “Behind My Offer: How I Crafted a Coaching Program That Feels Like Me” (Behind‑the‑Scenes / Business Insight)
Model how you’ve learned to talk directly about your coaching services—sharing the vulnerabilities, missteps, and tweaks you made to ensure it resonates authentically.

10. “The 3 Questions to Ask When You Feel ‘Behind in Life’” (Practical Mindset Tool)
Share three powerful, counterintuitive questions that help women confront comparison fatigue and rediscover their unique timeline.

These ideas align with YOUR expertise — not generic topics anyone in your industry could cover.

Why This Works — Even If You Don't Have Perfect Clarity

You don't need to be polished — just directional.

The prompt adapts to where you are now.

Even vague answers produce better results than no context.

Completing it often creates clarity you didn't have before.

Advanced Tips — Get Even More from Your AI Prompt

Getting 30 content ideas is just the beginning.

Once you have your initial list, you can extract even more value from AI.

Think of these as power moves that turn a simple prompt into an ongoing partnership.

Each follow-up question unlocks a new layer of strategy.

Liked one idea? Ask for variations.
→ "Give me 5 more content ideas similar to #7, but from a different angle."

Dig into the why behind an idea.
→ "Explain why this topic (#12) would resonate with my target audience."

Ask what's missing from your strategy.
→ "Are there any important content angles I'm overlooking based on my themes?"

Brainstorm a series from a single idea.
→ "Break idea #5 into a 3-part series for email or Substack posts."

Refine based on your current mood or goal.
→ "Which 3 ideas from this list would build trust fastest with new readers?"

Don't limit yourself to these examples.

Ask about anything that would help you understand, expand, or implement the ideas better.

The more specific your follow-up question, the more valuable the response.

This is where AI truly becomes your thinking partner — not just an idea generator.

What to Do with Your Ideas

Don't try to use all 30 AI-generated ideas. Not every suggestion will be a winner.

Scan your list with a critical eye. Some ideas will feel "off" for your voice or audience.

That's normal. AI is a starting point, not the final decision-maker.

First, remove any ideas that don't feel aligned with your brand or expertise.

Then pick 3-5 of the strongest ideas that energize you immediately.

These are the ones where you already have something to say—where you can almost see the finished content in your head.

Follow your energy, not a rigid schedule.

When you start with ideas that excite you, you build momentum.

And momentum beats perfection every time.

Use the Rest as a Personal Content Bank

Create a dedicated space for your vetted content ideas. This becomes your personal content library.

Not every AI suggestion deserves a spot in your content bank. Keep only the ones that:
• Sound like you (not generic industry advice)
• Address real problems your audience has
• Leverage your unique perspective or experience

Save these quality ideas in:
• Notion
• Google Docs
• Your note-taking app
• A dedicated folder

Add a simple organization system. Tag ideas by:
• Content pillar
• Content type (story, how-to, opinion)
• Emotional tone (motivational, educational, vulnerable)

This turns your curated content ideas into a list you can search and use whenever you need it.

Repeat It Monthly — Just Update Your Inputs

This isn't a one-time exercise. It's a reusable system.

Run this prompt monthly, but update your inputs based on:
• New client questions you're answering
• Current challenges your audience faces
• Seasonal trends in your industry
• Your evolving expertise

You're not starting from scratch each time.

You're making your system better—with small changes that add up over time.

The best part? Seeing how your own ideas grow stronger with each monthly check-in.

This is how you keep creating content without burning out.

Today's AI Tip You Can Use Everywhere

The more personal context you give AI, the more strategic the output becomes.

Generic prompts create generic content. Specific prompts create specific content.

Strong prompts don't just include context — they explain how to use it.

Tell AI exactly how each piece of information should shape the output.

One small shift: Tell AI what your information means, not just what it is.

The difference isn't just better outputs. It's outputs that actually feel like you.