This article showcases a comprehensive, contextual example of how to create a personalized action plan using a set of ChatGPT Prompts I created specifically for online service businesses.

There are 4 steps to creating your personalised action plan.

1. Assess your internal and external business environment

2. Conduct a SWOT Analysis

3. Conduct a TOWS analysis

4. Create an Action Plan

5. (Optional) Set SMART Goals

For clarity and practical understanding, we'll illustrate each step of how to create your own personalised action plan using Jane's journey as an example, guided by these ChatGPT prompts.

Introducing Jane's journey and business idea

Jane transitioned from a corporate role in public relations and event management to launching her own online service-based business. Jane decided to leverage her expertise in PR and events by creating an online course aimed at small business owners. The course would teach effective communication strategies and how to plan and execute events that boost brand visibility and engagement.

Step 1. Assess Jane's internal and external business environment

ChatGPT Prompt 1 (general)

I am planning to launch an [insert type: online membership, online course, virtual workshop, one-to-one consultancy] in [insert your field or expertise area]. I need to conduct a SWOT analysis to understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to this new venture. Could you please generate a set of questions that will help me thoroughly assess the internal and external factors influencing my business idea?

ChatGPT Prompt used for Jane

I am planning to launch an online course in PR & Events I need to conduct a SWOT analysis to understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to this new venture. Could you please generate a set of questions that will help me thoroughly assess the internal and external factors influencing my business idea?

Step 2. Answer the questions & ChatGPT will return a SWOT Analysis.

Copy and paste the questions ChatGPT provided in the above step, into a notepad, answer the questions carefully and then paste the answers back into ChatGPT.

ChatGPT will then provide a comprehensive SWOT analysis like the below.

SWOT Analysis for Jane's Online Course Business

Strengths:

• Expertise in PR and Events: Extensive experience and skills in event planning and public relations.

• Network: Established connections within the industry to leverage for guest lectures and endorsements.

• Passion for Teaching: Natural ability to explain complex concepts clearly.

Weaknesses:

• New to Digital Marketing: Limited experience with online marketing and sales funnels.

• Resource Limitations: Initial financial constraints limit the ability to hire help or invest heavily in advertising.

• Time Management: Balancing content creation with business development efforts.

Opportunities:

• Growing Demand for Online Learning: Increasing acceptance and preference for online education among professionals.

• Niche Market: Few competitors offering specialized courses in event planning and PR targeted at small businesses.

• Partnerships: Potential to collaborate with online platforms and business networks to reach a broader audience.

Threats:

• Market Competition: Established platforms already offering business courses, though not specialized in PR and events.

• Technological Changes: Need to stay updated with the latest digital tools and platforms for online education.

• Economic Uncertainty: Fluctuations in the economy could affect the marketing budgets of target customers.

Step 3: Developing Jane's strategies with the TOWS Analysis

The TOWS analysis takes the findings from the SWOT analysis and converts them into actionable strategies. Use the below ChatGPT prompt to develop a TOWS analysis, turning SWOT insights into clear strategies.

ChatGPT Prompt 2

I have a complete SWOT analysis for my business and I'm ready to develop a TOWS analysis. Could you help me formulate strategic actions by matching the internal strengths and weaknesses identified in the SWOT with the external opportunities and threats? This will assist in creating an effective strategy for my business.

TOWS Analysis for Jane's Online Course Business

SO Strategies (Using Strengths to capitalize on Opportunities)

• Leverage Expertise to Fill a Niche Market: Utilize Jane’s extensive PR and event management skills to create unique, specialized content that differentiates her courses from more general business courses available.

• Network-Driven Marketing: Tap into Jane’s established industry connections to promote her courses through webinars, guest lectures, and partnerships with professional organizations.

ST Strategies (Using Strengths to navigate Threats)

• Brand Differentiation: Use Jane’s reputation and expertise in PR and events to position her courses as the premium choice in a competitive market.

• Strategic Partnerships for Technological Advancement: Partner with tech companies to incorporate the latest digital teaching tools into her courses, ensuring they remain cutting-edge and effective.

WO Strategies (Minimizing Weaknesses by seizing Opportunities)

• Digital Marketing Education: Since Jane is new to digital marketing, she could take short courses or seek mentorship in this area to quickly improve her skills, enabling her to effectively market her online courses.

• Collaborative Course Development: Collaborate with other online educators to develop course content, which can help manage her time better and enhance the course quality without significant initial investment.

WT Strategies (Minimizing Weaknesses and avoiding Threats)

• Economic Uncertainty Preparedness: Develop a flexible pricing strategy and offer bundled courses or discounts to small business owners during economic downturns to maintain enrollment rates.

• Resource Allocation for Sustainability: Use cost-effective digital marketing strategies, like social media and content marketing, to build her brand while keeping expenditures low.

This step-by-step integration of her strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats into actionable strategies enables Jane to create a clear roadmap for her business. By combining these strategies, she ensured that her approach was well-rounded and targeted.

Step 4: Building Jane's Personalized Action Plan with ChatGPT

Next, Jane combines her TOWS strategies with the 8 foundational steps necessary to launch her online course business. This integration, as discussed in our previous post, is what creates a comprehensive and effective action plan.

ChatGPT Prompt 3

I have a TOWS analysis for my business, detailing key strategies within the SO, ST, WO, and WT categories. I need to develop a practical action plan for launching and scaling my online service-based business. Please create an action plan that integrates these TOWS strategies effectively, while also including essential steps that may not directly connect to the TOWS analysis but are critical for the overall business strategy. The plan should be flexible and prioritize practicality and impact.

Phase 1: Pre-Launch Preparation

1. Market Research and Validation:

   • Conduct surveys or interviews with potential customers to validate the demand for your course specifics.

   • Analyze competitors to refine your unique selling propositions (USPs).

2. Course Development:

   • Outline the curriculum, ensuring it leverages Jane’s expertise and network to provide specialized, actionable content.

   • Develop engaging and interactive course materials that utilize Jane’s teaching strengths.

3. Partnership and Network Utilization:

   • Identify and secure partnerships with online platforms or business networks to extend reach and resources.

   • Leverage industry connections to stay ahead of technological changes and enhance course offerings.

4. Skill Development:

   • Take online courses or workshops in digital marketing and sales funnel management to address Jane's current limitations.

   • Schedule regular updates to keep skills fresh and applicable.

Phase 2: Launch Strategy

1. Marketing and Promotion:

   • Develop a marketing plan that includes SEO, social media marketing, and partnerships.

   • Create promotional content that highlights the unique aspects of Jane’s course and her industry network.

   • Launch a pre-enrollment campaign offering early bird discounts or special access to additional resources.

2. Technology Setup:

   • Choose and set up an appropriate learning management system (LMS) that supports interactive learning.

   • Ensure that the platform is scalable and can integrate with various marketing tools and analytics.

3. Pilot Testing:

   • Offer a free or discounted pilot course to a select group of people in exchange for detailed feedback.

   • Use the feedback to refine course content and the delivery platform.

Phase 3: Post-Launch Growth and Scaling

1. Feedback Integration and Course Improvement:

   • Implement a systematic approach to collect and analyze student feedback.

   • Regularly update the course content based on student feedback and emerging industry trends.

2. Scaling Through Strategic Alliances:

   • Explore additional partnerships for co-marketing or affiliate marketing.

   • Consider expanding the course offerings to include advanced modules or related topics.

3. Sustainable Marketing Efforts:

   • Develop a content marketing strategy that provides value through blogs, webinars, and guest lectures, reinforcing Jane's position as an industry expert.

   • Use data-driven marketing strategies to refine targeting and increase conversion rates.

4. Community Building and Continuous Engagement:

   • Build an online community for students and professionals in the PR and events industry.

   • Offer regular updates, industry insights, and networking opportunities to keep the community engaged and growing.

Monitoring and Adaptation

• Regular Review and Adaptation:

  • Set up quarterly reviews to assess the performance of the course and the overall business strategy.

  • Adapt marketing and content strategies based on performance data and student feedback to ensure continuous improvement and relevance.

Step 5: Setting Jane's SMART Goals with ChatGPT

Next, Jane needs to set SMART goals for the upcoming year ahead split by quarter.

ChatGPT Prompt 4

Based on the TOWS analysis and action plan we discussed, I need to establish specific goals to effectively guide the growth of my business. I require three short-term SMART goals for each quarter of the upcoming year, reflecting immediate actions from my action plan. These goals should adhere to the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) criteria and be directly linked to the strategies identified in the TOWS analysis and the growth of my startup business.

Q1 Goals

Launch the Online Course: By the end of Q1, officially launch the PR and Events online course, achieving 100 enrollments through targeted marketing campaigns that leverage Jane’s industry connections and expertise. This goal directly aligns with utilizing her strengths and the market demand identified in the TOWS analysis, setting a firm foundation for the course's market entry.

Develop Marketing Infrastructure: Establish core digital marketing channels, including SEO, paid ads, and social media, to reach 50,000 impressions and generate 500 leads by the end of Q1. This will be implemented using a combination of in-house efforts and outsourced marketing expertise, addressing Jane's limited experience in digital marketing while capitalizing on existing market opportunities.

Form Strategic Partnerships: Secure at least two strategic partnerships with business networks or industry influencers by the end of Q1 to increase course visibility and add at least 50 additional enrollments. Leveraging Jane’s industry reputation and network will enhance the course's credibility and expand its reach, effectively mitigating existing marketing weaknesses.

Q2 Goals

Enhance Customer Engagement: Introduce a monthly webinar series by the end of April, featuring guest speakers from the industry, and achieve an average attendance of 75% of enrolled students per webinar. Utilizing Jane’s network to invite knowledgeable speakers and promote these events via email and social media will build on Jane’s teaching strengths and expand customer learning opportunities.

Content Update and Expansion: By the end of Q2, update existing course modules and add one new module based on the latest industry trends, aiming for a 20% increase in course completion rates. This will be achieved by utilizing feedback from current students and insights from industry events, ensuring the course remains cutting-edge and responsive to both opportunities and threats identified in the TOWS analysis.

Increase Market Reach: Expand marketing efforts to include international audiences and generate 200 new enrollments from these markets by the end of Q2. Targeted international ads and collaborations with global platforms will capitalize on the growing global demand for online learning, helping to extend the course's reach and impact.

These paragraphs succinctly encapsulate the goals for each quarter, linking them directly to strategies that leverage strengths and address weaknesses while seizing market opportunities and defending against potential threats, as identified in your TOWS analysis.

Q3 Goals

Optimize Conversion Strategies: By the end of Q3, enhance the online course sales funnel to increase conversion rates by 15% through the implementation of advanced analytics and A/B testing strategies. These optimizations will be driven by detailed data analysis and user feedback to refine marketing messages and landing pages. This goal is relevant as it builds on the existing digital infrastructure to improve the effectiveness of marketing efforts and increase ROI.

Strengthen Community Engagement: Develop and launch an exclusive online community for enrolled students by mid-Q3, aiming to achieve active participation from at least 60% of the cohort. This community will serve as a platform for peer-to-peer support and continuous learning, integrating live Q&A sessions, discussion boards, and group challenges. This will not only enhance the value of the course but also foster a stronger sense of community among participants, aiding in retention and word-of-mouth marketing.

Launch a Guest Speaker Series: Host a series of bi-monthly webinars featuring prominent industry leaders by the end of Q3, which will not only augment the course content but also provide networking opportunities for students. Aim to secure at least six industry leaders for this series, focusing on topics highly requested by current students. This initiative leverages Jane's professional network to provide additional value to the course, enhancing student engagement and satisfaction.

Q4 Goals

Expand Course Content: Launch two additional specialized modules by the end of Q4 that address emerging trends and skills in PR and Events, such as digital PR strategies and virtual event planning. These modules should be developed based on the latest industry needs and feedback from current students, aiming to keep the curriculum at the forefront of the industry and increase course enrollments by 20%.

Implement Referral Programs: Create and implement a referral program by Q4 that incentivizes current students to refer new students, with the goal of increasing enrollments by 10% through referrals alone. This program will offer existing students discounts or additional content, effectively utilizing satisfied students as brand ambassadors to grow the student base.

Enhance International Marketing Efforts: By the end of Q4, tailor international marketing campaigns to at least three new regions identified as high-potential markets. Utilize localized marketing strategies to increase course appeal in these regions, aiming to boost international student numbers by 25%. This effort will involve adapting promotional materials to local languages and cultural contexts, ensuring relevance and maximizing engagement.

Conclusion.

If you're ready to transform your business idea into reality, consider applying the same set of ChatGPT prompts we used for Jane or work with me and book my workshop where we can craft your very own personalized action plan together.