50 prompts to help you do a better job
February 3, 2025
Let me give you a look under the hood at how I try to help nonprofits. I will do that by sharing one of my regular prompts and the actual results I got when I ran it for the first time, back when ChatGPT was just beginning.
The basic idea is to describe your role and ask ChatGPT for areas to explore. This is similar to the "how can you help me" prompts I shared in Issue #1.
Here's the prompt (in bold) and ChatGPT's answer (in italics):
I am a consultant who provides risk management, strategic planning, executive coaching, and best practices tools and support to nonprofits. Give me 50 ChatGPT prompts that can help me be more productive in my job.
Certainly, your role as a consultant to nonprofits is crucial, especially in navigating the complexities of risk management, strategic planning, and leadership development. In your case, productivity might mean having access to a suite of questions that can generate actionable insights and solutions. Here are 50 prompts tailored for your needs that you can use with ChatGPT to enhance your consultancy practice:
20. How can nonprofits foster innovation and adaptability among their staff?
21. What are effective strategies for community outreach and engagement?
22. How can nonprofits navigate legal compliance issues?
23. What are the principles of ethical fundraising in the nonprofit sector?
24. How can executive leaders motivate and inspire nonprofit teams?
25. What are the best practices for managing nonprofit mergers or collaborations?
26. How can a nonprofit conduct an effective stakeholder analysis?
27. What are the challenges and solutions for cross-cultural communication in nonprofits?
28. How can nonprofits optimize their operations for better service delivery?
29. What are the techniques for effective board development and training?
30. How can nonprofits implement sustainable practices in their operations?
31. What are the key indicators of financial health for a nonprofit?
32. How can nonprofits utilize social media for advocacy and awareness campaigns?
33. What are the critical success factors for nonprofit project management?
34. How can a nonprofit establish a compelling brand identity?
35. What are the best ways to conduct nonprofit program evaluations?
36. How can nonprofits ensure accountability and transparency to stakeholders?
37. What are the strategies for effective resource allocation in nonprofits?
38. How can nonprofits develop a strong and inclusive organizational culture?
39. What are the common pitfalls in nonprofit strategic planning and how to avoid them?
40. How can nonprofits create impactful partnerships with businesses?
41. What are the best ways for nonprofits to conduct market research?
42. How can nonprofits manage change effectively during organizational transitions?
43. What are the tools for improving internal communication within a nonprofit?
44. How can nonprofits attract and manage skilled volunteers?
45. What are the techniques for successful event planning in the nonprofit sector?
46. How can nonprofits build effective programs to support their mission?
47. What are the methods for assessing the impact of nonprofit activities?
48. How can a nonprofit organization cultivate leadership at all levels?
49. What are the strategies for managing donor relationships over the long term?
50. How can nonprofits balance mission-driven work with operational sustainability?
Using these prompts, you can explore detailed responses, gather best practices, and formulate bespoke solutions for the nonprofits you advise. Each prompt is designed to provoke thought, stimulate strategic thinking, and provide practical advice that you can adapt to the specific context of your work.
See what I did there? By giving you the actual answers, I also gave you some prompts that you can use yourself!
Now, I would modify the prompt slightly if I used it again. For one thing, I would give ChatGPT a role, e.g., "Act in the role of an expert in nonprofit operations and governance." I'd also perform other tweaks, but I leave that to you for now.
Again, I have received great feedback from readers or prior issues of this newsletter. Many readers have said they have developed solid materials using these newsletters, and some have shared some incredibly powerful work. Please keep them coming! They will serve as the basis for future issues.
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