5 AI Prompts For Better Newsletters

Most writers fall into 2 camps:

• Camp 1: "I don't use AI because I want authentic content"

• Camp 2: "I use AI to write everything" (Translation: I publish generic slop)

Both are wrong.

The right approach: You do the thinking. AI does the grunt work.

Here are 5 prompts I use to research, edit, and write newsletters faster without sacrificing quality.

Note: I use and recommend Claude for this. But ChatGPT can work, too.

Prompt 1: Generate pain points, FAQs, and common challenges from audience research

The best newsletters solve a problem. Often, AI can identify your audience's problems (and see your blind spots) better than you can.

For this prompt, you'll need a Claude project. Or you'll need to upload all of your audience research and data to a chat.

Add/upload information like:

• Audience demographics

• Past newsletter / social content

• Interests and most popular topics

• Survey responses / Poll responses

• Customer reviews and testimonials

• FAQs, email replies, support tickets

• And more

If you don't have data, make it up. Tell AI who you think your ideal audience is.

Here’s the prompt:

Using all available audience data sources that I have shared with you in this project, create a comprehensive report analyzing my audience's pain points, FAQs, and challenges.

PART 1: Data Mining Instructions

First, extract and analyze patterns from:

• Direct audience feedback (surveys, emails, tickets, comments)

• Behavioral data (what content gets highest engagement/opens/shares)

PART 2: Pain Point, FAQs, and common challenges analysis (10-20 items, ranked by severity)

For each identified challenge, provide:

1) Pain Point Summary (one clear sentence)

2) Severity Score (1-10 based on: frequency mentioned + emotional intensity + impact)

2) Detailed Breakdown:

• Root cause of the problem

• Emotional impact (fears, frustrations, desires)

• Practical/business impact (lost revenue, wasted time, missed opportunities)

• Urgency level (immediate need vs. long-term concern)

3) Audience Segment Analysis:

• Primary segment affected (journey stage, business model, niche)

• Secondary segments experiencing this

• Unique variations by segment

4) Supporting Evidence:

• Direct quotes from audience

• Engagement metrics on related content

• Frequency data (X mentions across Y sources)

5) Competitive Landscape:

• How competitors address this (or don't)

• Market gaps/underserved angles

• Unique positioning opportunities for my company

PART 3: Actionable Summary

Create a summary highlighting:

• Top 10 most severe pain points

• Quick-win content topics (high demand, low competition)

• Long-term strategic opportunities

• Recommended prioritization order

Format each section with clear headers, bullet points for scannability, and bold key insights. Include a confidence rating (High/Medium/Low) for findings based on data volume and consistency.

Why This Works:

This helps you identify what to write. You get a deeper understanding of the pain points your audience has, and how to solve them.

Plus, you’ll use this report for the next prompt…

Prompt 2: Generate Newsletter Ideas

This is where most writers get stuck.

You need ideas that resonate. Ideas based on audience demographics, interests, and pain points. Not just topics you find interesting.

You'll use the previous prompt and this one to create these topics.

Here’s the prompt:

Generate 10 newsletter topics that directly solve my audience's most urgent problems (pain points) or answer their most common questions based on the analysis previously discussed.

These topics must include:

• Specific numbers (counts, dollar amounts, time frames)

• Constraint acknowledgment (common limitations your audience faces)

• Immediate value (implementable this week, not theory)

• Emotional hook (addresses fear, frustration, or desire)

• Transformation promise (from current state → desired outcome)

Format Requirements:

Headline Structure (6-15 words):

• Lead with outcome/benefit OR specific problem

• Include numbers when possible

• Use power words that trigger emotion

• Avoid vague promises, be ultra-specific

• Use listicles when needed “5 ways to X”

Description Structure (1-3 sentences, 20-35 words max):

• Include specific method/system/framework

• Reference time frame or effort required

• End with tangible result/transformation

Example Structure:

Strong Format: Headline: "[Specific Outcome] in [Time Frame] Without [Common Obstacle]" Description: The step-by-step system/method/framework to achieve [specific result] even if [common limitation], resulting in [tangible transformation].

Weak Format (avoid): Headline: "[Vague Topic] That Work" Description: Various tips and strategies for [general improvement].

Why This Works:

The previous prompt identified the most common pain points and FAQs. This one creates fleshed-out topics based on that information.

Now you'll pick which one is best for you and write the newsletter.

Note: If the 10 ideas weren't good, ask for 10 more. I promise there will be at least one worth writing about.

Prompt 3: Check for Typos and Grammar

AI proofreads better than you, Grammarly, or anyone else.

Here’s the prompt:

You are a meticulous proofreader and copy editor specializing in email newsletters.

Review the newsletter below for errors while preserving its intentionally casual, conversational tone.

WHAT TO CHECK:

1. SPELLING & GRAMMAR

   • Typos and misspellings

   • Grammar errors (verb tense, subject-verb agreement, etc.)

   • Punctuation mistakes

   • Incorrect word usage (their/there, affect/effect)

2. CONSISTENCY & FORMATTING

   • Inconsistent capitalization or spelling of terms

   • Formatting issues (bold, italics, bullet points)

   • Number formatting (switching between "5" and "five")

   • Inconsistent use of contractions

3. CLARITY & LOGIC

   • Unclear or ambiguous phrasing

   • Broken transitions between paragraphs

   • Incomplete thoughts or dangling modifiers

   • Contradictions within the text

FORMAT YOUR RESPONSE: List each issue as a bullet point with:

• [SEVERITY: Critical/Moderate/Minor]

• Location: "In paragraph X..." or "In the section about..."

• Issue: [Original text with error in quotes]

• Correction: [Suggested fix]

• Reason: [Brief explanation if needed]

SEVERITY GUIDELINES:

• CRITICAL: Errors that damage credibility or break functionality (wrong facts, broken CTAs, major typos in headlines)

• MODERATE: Grammar errors, unclear sentences, consistency issues

• MINOR: Style preferences, optional comma usage, minor formatting

DO NOT:

• Rewrite entire sections

• Change the conversational tone

• Add formality where casualness is intentional

• Suggest style changes unless they cause confusion

Newsletter to proofread: [PASTE YOUR NEWSLETTER]

Prompt 4: Edit for Clarity and Conciseness

AI is better at cutting words than writing them. Use this prompt after AI proofreads your first draft and you correct any mistakes.

Here’s the prompt:

You are an expert newsletter editor specializing in clear, engaging content for [YOUR IDEAL AUDIENCE].

Edit the following newsletter draft with these specific objectives:

CONCISENESS (Target: Remove 15-25% of words)

• Eliminate redundant phrases and filler words

• Combine related sentences where possible

• Cut any content that doesn't directly serve the main message

• Replace wordy phrases with precise alternatives

CLARITY & READABILITY

• Convert passive voice to active voice

• Use simple words over complex ones

• Ensure each paragraph has ONE clear point

• Add specific examples where concepts are abstract

STRUCTURE

• Maximum 3 sentences per paragraph (1 or 2 is often better)

• Add line breaks between every paragraph

• Ensure smooth transitions between sections

• Verify the hook connects to the CTA

ENGAGEMENT

• Replace generic statements with specific details

• Add concrete numbers, timeframes, or outcomes where possible

• Remove all buzzwords and clichés

• Ensure conversational tone throughout

SIMPLICITY (Target: 5th-grade reading level or below)

• Replace complex words with simple alternatives (use "help" not "facilitate")

• Break long sentences into shorter ones (aim for 6-12 words per sentence or less)

• Remove jargon and technical terms unless absolutely necessary

• Use concrete, everyday language

• Check readability score and flag anything above 5th-grade level

DELIVERABLES

1. The edited newsletter with tracked changes

2. A brief summary of:

   • Word count reduction (before/after)

   • Top 5 most impactful edits

   • Any sections that need complete rewriting

3. Specific suggestions for strengthening the CTA

Newsletter draft: [PASTE YOUR DRAFT]

Prompt 5: Generate subject lines that boost open rates

Now you need a catchy subject line or multiple to split-test.

Here’s the prompt:

You’re an elite email marketing specialist and copywriter who consistently achieves 50%+ open rates for newsletters targeting [YOUR AUDIENCE].

Analyze the newsletter below and create subject lines that will drastically improve open rates.

STEP 1: CONTENT ANALYSIS (Complete this first) Identify:

• The ONE biggest benefit/transformation promised

• The most surprising fact, stat, or insight

• The specific problem being solved

• Any time-sensitive hooks

• The emotional trigger (fear, excitement, curiosity, FOMO)

STEP 2: SUBJECT LINE CREATION

Generate 10 subject lines based on EACH of these proven frameworks:

Curiosity Gaps

• Tease the payoff without giving it away

• Use "this," "these," or numbers to create intrigue

Direct Benefits

• Lead with the exact outcome readers want

• Use specific numbers/timeframes

Problem Agitation

• Call out a painful mistake or fear

• Make them worry they're missing something

Social Proof/Authority

• Reference impressive results or credible sources

• Use names, companies, or achievements

Contrarian/Unexpected

• Challenge common beliefs

• Present surprising truths

STEP 3: OPTIMIZATION RULES

• Maximum 40 characters (shows fully on mobile)

• Use lowercase for casual feel (except for emphasis)

• Numbers as digits, not spelled out

• No punctuation at the end

• Avoid spam triggers: FREE, %, $$$, excessive caps

NEWSLETTER TO ANALYZE: [PASTE YOUR NEWSLETTER]

These 5 prompts do the grunt work for you

They help you research, edit, and ideate better and faster.

It's still up to you to write something useful based on your unique human insights.