Free Companion Toolkit

Prompt Library

This Prompt Library is your extended toolkit for building a thriving online course. It gathers and expands the prompts from the “Your Turn” exercises across Craft Your First Online Course with AI, with extra support for generating ideas, structuring your course, writing engaging content, marketing effectively, and scaling your business. The prompts are organized into five categories — Brainstorming, Outlining, Writing, Marketing, and Scaling — and each is clear, actionable, and ready to tailor to your topic and learner. Whether you are refining your promise or handling a challenge, use this library to create with confidence.

How to Use This Library

Every prompt works with any AI tool of your choice — ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or another. Replace placeholders like [your topic] and [your learner persona] with your specifics (for example, “photography” and “beginner photographers”). Small tweaks improve results: add “in a conversational tone” for a friendlier voice, or “include specific examples” for more detail.

Tip: For sharper output, give the AI a role before your prompt — for example, “Act as a course design expert” or “Act as an online marketing strategist” — so its answer fits the task.

Brainstorming Prompts

Generate ideas for your course, your audience, and your offers.

Course Ideas from a Skill

Ch 1
Suggest five online course ideas based on my skill: [your skill].

Example: For someone who teaches spreadsheet reporting, this might surface “Build Your First Pivot Table in an Afternoon.”

Use it to: Turn a skill you already have into specific, sellable course angles.

Course Title and Benefits

Ch 1
Generate a compelling course title and three clear benefits for a course on [your skill].

Example: For time management, it might return a title like “Finish Work by Five” with benefits around focus and calmer days.

Use it to: Name your course and clarify what learners gain.

Demand Check

Ch 1
Here are real questions and comments people posted about [your skill]: [paste]. Identify the top recurring challenges.

Example: Freelancer forum posts reveal a shared struggle with saying no to overcommitment.

Use it to: Move from guessing to evidence about what your audience needs.

Learner Persona

Ch 2
Generate a learner persona for a course on [your topic], including age, occupation, pain points, and goals.

Example: For a productivity course, it returns “Dana, 34, a freelance designer who keeps missing her own deadlines.”

Use it to: Replace a vague audience with one specific person you can design for.

Learner Pain Points

Ch 2
Here are real comments from [audience] about [topic]: [paste]. List the three pain points that matter most to someone like [persona].

Example: Surfaces over-committing, no prioritization system, and time lost to task-switching.

Use it to: Build your course around problems learners actually have.

Course Promise

Ch 2
Write three specific, realistic promises for a course on [topic] aimed at [persona], each naming a concrete outcome and timeframe.

Example: “Stop over-committing and finish client work by 5 p.m. — a 14-day system for freelancers.”

Use it to: Turn a vague topic into a promise learners can picture.

Engagement Ideas

Ch 8
Suggest three gamification ideas for a course on [topic] for [persona], including one badge system.

Example: A beginner photography course earns a “First Manual Shot” badge after the exposure lesson.

Use it to: Make your course interactive and rewarding.

Community Prompts

Ch 8
Generate three discussion prompts for a community group for a course on [topic] for [persona].

Example: A photography course opens with “Share your favorite photo technique!”

Use it to: Spark conversation in an X, Discord, or WhatsApp group.

Upsell and Follow-Up Ideas

Ch 12
Suggest three follow-up offers for students who complete a course on [topic], including one next-course outline.

Example: After a fundamentals course, a small-group coaching cohort for graduates.

Use it to: Extend the learner journey and grow revenue.

Impactful Missions

Ch 15
Suggest three ways a course on [topic] could create a meaningful long-term impact for [persona].

Example: A coding course funds scholarships for underserved learners.

Use it to: Connect your course to a larger purpose.

Outlining Prompts

Structure your course into a clear learning path.

Brainstorm Course Topics

Ch 3
Suggest 10 topics a beginner needs to master [the skill].

Example: For photography: exposure, aperture, composition, lighting, editing, and more.

Use it to: Gather raw material before you trim to the essentials.

Organize into Modules

Ch 3
Organize these topics into a four-module beginner [topic] course, with a learning objective for each, using Bloom's Taxonomy.

Example: Camera basics, then composition, lighting, and editing — each with an objective like “adjust exposure for a night shot.”

Use it to: Turn a list of topics into a course that builds step by step.

Refine the Outline

Ch 3
Review this outline for a beginner who has never [done X]. Where is it too much, and what is missing?

Example: Flags an overloaded first module and a missing lesson on focus.

Use it to: Catch gaps and overload before you build.

Quick-Win Activity

Ch 8
Create a 5-minute activity for a lesson on [topic] that gives [persona] a quick win.

Example: A “shoot one photo in manual mode” task.

Use it to: Give learners early momentum.

Evergreen Content Outline

Ch 15
Suggest three evergreen content ideas for a course on [topic] for [persona], including one lesson outline.

Example: A timeless “beginner mistakes to avoid” lesson.

Use it to: Plan content that stays useful for years.

Writing Prompts

Draft lessons, scripts, responses, and brand copy.

Draft a Lesson

Ch 5
Write a short lesson on [topic] for [persona] in a conversational, practical tone, with one clear example.

Example: A cover-letter lesson that opens with the purpose and keeps it to one page.

Use it to: Get a strong first draft to refine in your own voice.

Add a Real Example

Ch 5
Suggest places in this lesson where a real story or personal experience would make it land.

Example: Points to the spot where a client anecdote would bring a dry lesson to life.

Use it to: Make AI-drafted content feel human and specific.

Voice and Clarity Check

Ch 5
Review this lesson for clarity and repetition, and flag any generic phrases that sound AI-written — keep my voice.

Example: Rewrites stock phrasing into your natural style.

Use it to: Tighten a draft without flattening your voice.

Lesson Script

Ch 7
Write a short lesson script for [topic], aimed at [persona], in a clear and conversational tone.

Example: A two-minute script for repotting a houseplant.

Use it to: Stay focused and concise on camera or audio.

Supporting Material

Ch 7
Create a simple checklist for a lesson on [topic] for [persona].

Example: A one-page repotting checklist: pot size, soil, watering, and light.

Use it to: Give learners a practical resource to apply the lesson.

Quality Checklist

Ch 7
Create a quality checklist for a [format] course on [topic].

Example: Confirms clear audio, readable text, and smooth navigation.

Use it to: Check your course works before you publish.

Feedback Response

Ch 13
Write a professional, empathetic response to this learner feedback: [paste], for a course on [topic].

Example: For “the lesson was confusing,” a warm reply offering clarification and support.

Use it to: Respond to feedback in a way that builds trust.

Lesson Revision

Ch 13
Rewrite this lesson [paste] to address [specific feedback] for [persona].

Example: Clarifies a confusing step for a complete beginner.

Use it to: Improve content based on real feedback.

Sales Page Draft

Ch 9
Write a 300-word sales page for a course on [topic] for [persona] in a conversational tone, including a headline, story, benefits, and a call to action.

Example: Opens with a specific, outcome-focused headline rather than a generic promise.

Use it to: Draft persuasive copy that names the learner's problem.

Brand Vision Statement

Ch 15
Write a 100-word personal brand vision statement for a course creator teaching [topic] to [persona].

Example: Defines a clear, authentic identity you can communicate consistently.

Use it to: Shape how learners remember you.

Marketing Prompts

Validate demand, choose your setup, and sell your course.

Who Will Pay

Ch 4
Who is most likely to pay for a course on [topic]? List five segments, their biggest frustration, and the outcome they want most.

Example: Narrows to recent graduates who freeze at the blank page.

Use it to: Focus on the buyer most ready to enroll.

Minimum Viable Offer

Ch 4
Suggest a minimum viable offer I can test before building a full course on [topic].

Example: A 60-minute live workshop with a one-page template.

Use it to: Test willingness to pay before you build everything.

Analyze Demand

Ch 4
Here are the responses I got: [paste]. What do people want changed, and are they willing to pay?

Example: Confirms strong interest in a narrower, more specific version.

Use it to: Read real feedback before you commit.

Compare Formats

Ch 6
Compare video, audio, and text formats for a course on [topic] for [persona], including advantages and limitations.

Example: Recommends short videos for hands-on demos and text for reference.

Use it to: Match your format to your content and learners.

Compare Platforms

Ch 6
Compare beginner-friendly course platforms for hosting a course on [topic], focusing on cost and ease of use.

Example: Surfaces a simple option you can launch on quickly.

Use it to: Choose a platform without overcomplicating.

SEO Keywords

Ch 9
Suggest five SEO keywords for a course on [topic] and integrate them into this sales page: [paste].

Example: Weaves “learn [topic] online” naturally into the copy.

Use it to: Help learners find your page through search.

Headline Variations

Ch 9
Generate two alternative headlines for a sales page on [topic] for [persona].

Example: Tests a benefit headline against an outcome headline.

Use it to: Compare headlines to boost conversions.

Pre-Launch Buzz

Ch 10
Generate three social media posts to build buzz for a course on [topic] for [persona].

Example: Curiosity posts that warm up an audience before launch day.

Use it to: Build interest before you open enrollment.

Launch Email Sequence

Ch 10
Write a three-email launch sequence for a course on [topic] for [persona], with a welcome, a value email, and a clear call to action.

Example: Announces the course, explains the transformation, and invites enrollment.

Use it to: Run a simple, effective launch campaign.

Pricing Strategy

Ch 10
Suggest a pricing strategy for a course on [topic] for [persona].

Example: Proposes a clear main price with an optional premium tier.

Use it to: Set a price that reflects value and stays simple.

Marketing Tweaks

Ch 13
Suggest three ways to improve enrollment for a course on [topic] for [persona].

Example: Adds a free lead-magnet guide to attract newcomers.

Use it to: Address low enrollment with practical fixes.

Scaling Prompts

Grow your course into a sustainable business.

Email Funnel

Ch 12
Write a three-email funnel sequence to promote a course on [topic] for [persona], with a welcome, a value email, and an upsell.

Example: Ends with an invitation to a follow-up offer.

Use it to: Automate marketing so it works without you.

Follow-Up Offer

Ch 12
Suggest three logical next-step offers for students who complete a course on [topic].

Example: A small monthly coaching group for graduates.

Use it to: Turn one course into a longer learning journey.

Localization

Ch 12
Translate this course lesson [paste] into [language] for [persona], keeping cultural nuance in mind.

Example: Adapts examples for a new region, not just the words.

Use it to: Reach new audiences respectfully.

Feedback Survey

Ch 11
Write a 5-question feedback survey for a course on [topic] for [persona].

Example: Mixes ratings with open questions on clarity and impact.

Use it to: Collect insights you can act on.

Summarize Feedback

Ch 11
Summarize this feedback [paste] and suggest three improvements for my course.

Example: Turns scattered responses into a short list of changes.

Use it to: Decide what to improve first.

Technical Fixes

Ch 13
Suggest three solutions for this technical issue [describe] in an online course platform.

Example: For slow video, recommends compression or a lighter host.

Use it to: Troubleshoot problems that hurt the learner experience.

Sustainable Practices

Ch 14
Suggest three sustainable practices for a course creator to avoid burnout.

Example: Batching work and automating repetitive tasks.

Use it to: Protect your energy for the long run.

Long-Term Vision

Ch 14
Suggest a one-year vision for a course business on [topic] for [persona], including one new course idea.

Example: A complementary second course plus a coaching cohort.

Use it to: Plan a portfolio, not just one launch.

Reflection on Your Journey

Ch 14
Summarize my course-creation journey based on these milestones [paste] and highlight three strengths and three areas for growth.

Example: Surfaces strong content but weak automation.

Use it to: Reflect deliberately before you plan what's next.

From Craft Your First Online Course with AI by Georges A. Farah · georgesfarah.com