Most marketing copy fails because it talks at customers instead of to them.
It lists features. It makes claims. It hopes something sticks.
But the best copy does something different: it anticipates objections and addresses them before the customer even voices them.
This week's prompt turns ChatGPT into an objection-hunting machine that helps you write copy that converts skeptics into buyers.
The Prompt
I sell [YOUR PRODUCT/SERVICE] to [YOUR TARGET CUSTOMER].
Before they buy, my customers typically have these concerns:
- They worry about [CONCERN 1]
- They're skeptical that [CONCERN 2]
- They've been burned before by [CONCERN 3]
For each objection, give me:
1. The exact thought running through their head (in their words, not marketing speak)
2. The underlying fear or past experience driving that thought
3. A one-sentence response that acknowledges the concern without being defensive
4. A proof point I could use (testimonial angle, guarantee, demonstration, or data)
Then write me 3 variations of a short paragraph (50 words max each) that weaves the strongest objection and response into compelling copy. Make it conversational, not salesy.
Why It Works
1. It forces you to think like your customer
Most business owners know their product inside out but struggle to articulate why customers hesitate. This prompt makes you name the objections explicitly—which is half the battle.
2. It separates the symptom from the cause
"It's too expensive" is a symptom. The cause might be "I've wasted money on similar products before" or "I can't justify this to my spouse." The prompt digs into the underlying fear, which is where persuasion actually happens.
3. It generates proof points, not just claims
Anyone can say "our product works." The prompt pushes you toward specific evidence: testimonials, guarantees, demonstrations, data. These are the elements that actually move skeptical buyers.
4. It produces usable copy, not just insights
The final step converts the analysis into actual paragraphs you can use in ads, landing pages, or emails. Three variations give you options to test.
Example Output
Input:
Product: Online bookkeeping course for freelancers
Target: Freelance designers and developers
Concern 1: They don't have time to learn accounting
Concern 2: They think they can figure it out themselves
Concern 3: They've bought courses before that they never finished
Sample Output (abbreviated):
Objection 1: "I don't have time for this"
Thought in their head: "I'm already drowning in client work. When am I supposed to watch hours of videos?"
Underlying fear: Adding one more thing to the pile will break them
Response: "The course is built for people billing 40+ hours a week—each lesson is under 10 minutes."
Proof point: "87% of students complete the course in under 2 weeks while working full-time."
Copy variation:
"You're not going to carve out weekends to learn accounting. Neither did the 2,000+ freelancers who finished this course in under two weeks—while juggling client deadlines. Each lesson is under 10 minutes. Your coffee break is longer."
How to Use It
Fill in the blanks honestly. Don't use the objections you wish customers had. Use the real ones—the awkward ones, the ones that sting a little.
Run it multiple times. Swap in different customer segments or different objections. A first-time buyer has different concerns than someone who's been burned before.
Test the copy variations. Use them as A/B test candidates for ads or email subject lines. The AI gives you hypotheses; your data tells you which one wins.
Build a swipe file. Save the best objection-response pairs. They'll show up again in sales calls, FAQ pages, and customer support scripts.
The Bigger Lesson
Great copy isn't about being clever. It's about being understood.
When a customer reads your marketing and thinks "this person gets me," you've already won half the battle. The Objection Killer prompt helps you get there faster by forcing you to articulate what your customer is actually thinking—then respond to it directly.
Try it this week. Pick your most stubborn objection and run it through the prompt. You might be surprised what comes out.
by JC
for the AdAI Ed. Team
