TL;DR:
How to write ChatGPT prompts for email marketing: best techniques overview
Email marketing with ChatGPT is not rocket science, but learning how to write prompts properly might take some time. I’ve tested this AI email writing software from every angle, so here’s my general overview of the best techniques for composing ChatGPT prompts:
| Technique | Works well for | ChatGPT prompt example |
|---|---|---|
| Few-shot prompting is all about supporting your ChatGPT prompt with examples to help the model establish a pattern. | A/B testing subject lines, writing in your brand tone, guiding response formats | “Here are two subject lines that performed well. 1. A 2. B 3. C Now write the best one for this campaign.” |
| System prompting implies setting strict structure or formatting rules for getting better control over the output. | Setting tone, email format | “Write a cold email body that starts with the value proposition and then clearly highlights the offer. Keep its content focused and concise.” |
| Contextual prompting involves providing additional background or scenario details so ChatGPT can tailor the output. | Getting brand-aligned, persona-targeted AI-generated content | “You’re writing an email for a B2B SaaS brand in cybersecurity. Keep its tone formal and concise.” |
| Role prompting means asking ChatGPT to take on a specific role. This can help shape the tone, style, and add some expertise. | Voice consistency, task clarity, creative writing | “Act as a senior email marketer. Write a persuasive onboarding email for users who just signed up for a free CRM tool.” |
| Step‑back prompting involves asking ChatGPT to brainstorm before generating the final output. | Strategizing email flows, positioning, or improving personalization | “Figure out what makes an effective product launch email. List its 3 key elements. Use this information to write an effective email promoting our new AI feature.” |
| Chain‑of‑thought prompting implies encouraging ChatGPT to think through the task step by step. | Sequencing, reasoning clarity | “Plan a 5-step drip campaign to convert trial users. Explain why each email is important.” |
Keep in mind that these practices aren’t mutually exclusive; I recommend you combine them for even more targeted AI email writing.
With over 460 million monthly active users, today ChatGPT stands out among AI tools worldwide. If you haven’t yet jumped into email marketing with ChatGPT in 2025, you’re missing out on lots of opportunities.
But let’s face it: this tool can sometimes return outputs so off that you end up spending more time fixing them than writing from scratch.
The good news? You can get much better results by simply approaching your input strategically. Uncover what makes a great ChatGPT prompt for email marketing and use the best prompt examples I’ve tested, refined, and shared in this article.
Key points of this article:
How ChatGPT understands your prompts
Large Language Models (LLMs), ChatGPT being among them, work as prediction engines. Put simply, they try to predict what comes next based on previous text and its training data.
Each new word or piece of AI-generated content is added to the input, and the model uses the updated sequence to keep predicting. These predictions rely on the relationship between the previous text and the patterns it saw during training.
The process of writing prompts is called prompt engineering. Here’s how it works: you provide an input (a prompt), and then the model uses it to predict the output.
It’s worth mentioning that even the smallest details can influence the results you receive. These include factors like training data, word choice, context, style, tone, and more. That’s why it’s important to learn how to write ChatGPT prompts so they generate the most relevant results.
How can you use ChatGPT for email marketing?
Running email marketing with ChatGPT opens up many options for enhancing campaign performance. With this AI email writing solution, you can:
- Automate email creation
From the subject line to the call-to-action (CTA), you can experiment with different elements of your message and find the best option for your goals. Plus, ChatGPT lets you adjust the tone of voice and writing style of your copy so it better resonates with your audience.
- Optimize formatting
ChatGPT can help you refine your message structure and layout, making it more engaging for your recipients. The tool allows you to try different sentence and paragraph lengths, use bullets for better navigation, or optimize for mobile.
- Enhance A/B testing
You can use ChatGPT to generate variations of subject lines, body copy, and calls to action. Additionally, AI may aid in interpreting A/B testing results and identifying patterns that may bring you higher open rates in the future.
- Personalize more effectively
With ChatGPT email personalization, you can generate relevant messages for different audience segments. The tool will easily adjust your templates to reflect users’ pain points, interests, demographics, etc. Plus, if you guide artificial intelligence with a proper prompt, it can even assist you in audience segmentation.
- Create the flow of email campaigns
Email marketing with ChatGPT can be more strategic. The tool can work out the whole outreach campaign based on the goals you’ll share in a prompt. Need help with building an effective onboarding or re-engagement sequence? The AI assistant will quickly provide a relevant message chain, from initial ‘Hi there’ to engaging follow-ups.
- Improve deliverability
ChatGPT also allows optimizing underperforming email campaigns. Just ask AI to review every message in your sequence and suggest necessary improvements. By following this practice regularly, you can improve the inbox placement of your campaigns.
Best practices of writing ChatGPT prompts for email marketing
Now, let’s uncover how you can elevate your email marketing with ChatGPT by following simple but effective prompt techniques. Here they are:
- Keep your ChatGPT prompts clear
- Be specific
- Prioritize positive instructions over constraints
- Provide examples
- Focus on expertise
- Go strategical
Keep your ChatGPT prompts clear
Well-defined prompts matter more for AI email writing than you may think. If your request is confusing, ChatGPT will likely return similar vague results. Complex wording or language, as well as redundant information, won’t do any favors either.
I recommend avoiding lengthy, rambling instructions. Remember, you’re giving instructions; they should be clear to help the model produce quality output. Add action verbs like summarize, describe, define, write, and suggest to your ChatGPT prompts for email marketing.
| ❌ | Sometimes people abandon their carts without taking the desired action. I need an email that would remind customers to make a purchase, but it should not sound pushy, rather friendly. Maybe offer a discount. |
| ✅ | Write an email that would remind customers about their abandoned carts. Keep it friendly and add a 15% discount. |
Be specific when writing your promts
Generic ChatGPT prompts produce generic output. After all, AI email writing tools can’t read your mind to deliver exactly what you want.
Adopt a systematic approach, adding necessary details to your requests such as the length, style, and tone of voice of AI-generated content. For instance, you can share some specific information about your/target company and its offerings.
Additionally, ensure that your ChatGPT prompting is contextual. For instance, you can share some specific information about your/target company and its offerings.
| ❌ | Write a welcome email to new subscribers. |
| ✅ | We are [Company name], a SaaS company that automates LinkedIn outreach. Write an 80-word welcome email to our new subscribers. Use a semi-formal but engaging tone. |
→ Get more LinkedIn ChatGPT prompts
Prioritize positive instructions over constraints in ChatGPT prompts
As a rule, Language Learning Machines (LLMs) respond better to positive guidance (do) than to limitations (not do). If you set too many constraints, ChatGPT may start second-guessing what’s acceptable. This will influence AI’s response.
By no means do I want to say that there is no room for constraints in AI email writing. You can use them, for example, to avoid harmful and biased content. But overall, my message is: Keep your instructions positive.
| ❌ | Write a customer feedback request email that isn’t too long and doesn’t sound boring. |
| ✅ | Write a customer feedback request email. Keep it friendly, concise, and include a clear CTA. |
Provide examples in your ChatGPT prompts
Relevant examples make your ChatGPT prompts for email marketing more targeted and impactful. AI will use your examples as reference points and generate more relevant responses. This technique is also known as few-shot prompting.
| ❌ | Create a discount offer email. |
| ✅ | Create an email that offers a similar discount: 20% off the annual plan for this month’s subscribers |
Focus on expertise when creating email copywriting prompts
Ask ChatGPT to take a particular expert role and generate the input on its behalf. This role-prompting technique may help you get relevant templates in specific industries.
| ❌ | Create an email that pitches a [Company name]’s product, but not in a very promotional way. |
| ✅ | Act as a sales representative at [Company name]. Write a persuasive yet non-promotional email for prospects who are unfamiliar with your product, so they become interested in your offering. |
Implement a strategic approach in your AI email writing
Want your AI content assistant to provide in-depth results? Prompt ChatGPT with a chain-of-thought technique, asking the tool to generate an email campaign step by step. You can also encourage AI to step back and do some sort of brainstorming before providing the final output:
| ❌ | Write an email that invites potential customers to the [topic] webinar that takes place on [date]. |
| ✅ | Think about what makes a really engaging webinar invitation email campaign. Then, write a strategic, step-by-step email sequence that encourages potential customers to attend the [topic] webinar, scheduled for [date]. |
Key takeaways:
- Write clear, specific prompts: Include tone, length, and company details to improve AI‑generated content.
- Use positive instructions and examples: Guide ChatGPT with “do” statements and reference samples for better results.
- Leverage expertise and strategy: Ask ChatGPT to act as an expert and use step‑by‑step prompts for stronger email sequences.
15 best ChatGPT prompt examples for every occasion
Now that you know how to write ChatGPT prompts for email marketing most effectively, check out the best prompt examples I’ve tested. You can use them as templates for your prompts (just substitute the information in brackets with the content relevant to you).
❗Please note that the AI-generated content depends on multiple aspects, such as the quality, relevance, and freshness of the input data; personalization settings and the model’s memory (i.e., conversation history and user preferences). You may get different results from the ones that we got, so feel free to mix and match various options to get relevant and high-quality AI email copy.
1. Subject line generation
Chat GPT prompt example:
Generate 10 subject line variations for an email about [summer productivity hacks]. Make it engaging and aligned with a [formal] tone, keep it under [8] words.
Output:
2. Email body copywriting
Chat GPT prompt example:
Create a [50]-word email about [product plan update]. Make it sound [friendly], keep a [semi-formal] tone. Add a strong call to action.
Output:
3. A/B testing variations
Chat GPT prompt example:
Generate 2 alternatives of this email subject line: [Best solution for workflow management]. Keep the first one [bold] and the second one [thoughtful].
Output:
4. Personalization and segmentation
Chat GPT prompt example:
Act as a senior content writer. Write an email targeting customers who need a single platform for managing their workflow. Offer a solution and include a strong call to action.
Output:
5. Drip campaign sequences
Chat GPT prompt example:
Come up with a 3-step email campaign to upsell our yearly plan. Provide a short explanation of each email goal. Keep the tone semi-formal, friendly, and persuasive.
Output:
6. Compliance and deliverability
Chat GPT prompt example:
Generate an email for promotional purposes for a [region] based audience. Make sure it complies with local regulations, includes opt-out instructions, and avoids spam-triggering language.
Output:
7. Email design and optimization
Chat GPT prompt example:
Suggest a layout for an email about a new product launch. Add best practices for subject line length, CTA placement, and mobile-friendly design.
Output:
8. Lead generation
Chat GPT prompt example:
Craft an email for lead generation purposes that offers a [lead magnet]. Make sure it clearly delivers value and includes an easy way for users to claim it.
Output:
9. Link building
Chat GPT prompt example:
Act as an experienced SEO outreach specialist. Write a personalized first outreach email to [Recipient Name], [Job Title] at [Company Name]. The goal is to build a relationship and request a backlink to our article, “[Your Article Title],” published on [Your Website]. Mention how their article “[Target Page Title]” aligns with our content and explain why adding our link would bring value to their readers. Use a friendly, professional tone, keep it under 150 words, and include a clear call-to-action to discuss the addition. Provide placeholders for personalization.
Output:
10. Feedback and survey requests
Chat GPT prompt example:
Draft a concise email requesting customer feedback about [product, experience, or service]. Keep it friendly and include a clear call to action.
Output:
11. Re-engagement campaigns
Chat GPT prompt example:
Write an email to re-engage inactive subscribers. Acknowledge the gap, use a [casual] tone, and offer a reason to rejoin.
Output:
12. Event invitations
Chat GPT prompt example:
Create an email invitation for an upcoming [workshop]. Make it sound exciting, clearly mention the event details, and include a sign-up link.
Output:
13. Product launch announcement
Chat GPT prompt example:
Write an announcement email for the launch of a new [product category]. Highlight 3 benefits and use an enthusiastic yet clear tone.
Output:
14. Abandoned cart reminders
Chat GPT prompt example:
Write a reminder email for customers who left items in their cart. Use a warm tone and include an incentive like [discount or benefit].
Output:
AI email writing with Snov.io: a perfect ChatGPT alternative
A common scenario: you’re setting up your campaigns and jumping to the ChatGPT tab for AI email writing. But what if you could avoid the hassle of constantly switching between platforms?
In this final part, let’s discuss the benefits of focusing all your efforts on a single AI-powered platform such as Snov.io.
As a user of Snov.io, you can easily access its AI Personalized Email Builder, driven by GPT technology, as your own assistant. The tool will be available to you at all times when creating your automated email sequences.
Here’s a quick look at the versatile use cases of this AI email generator:
1. Generate emails from scratch by entering your own prompts
You can create highly personalized message templates for various purposes from scratch. Just write a prompt and AI will compose a message based on it.
2. Ask the AI email writing tool to create subject lines
With a click on a magic wand, you can head your email with a catchy and relevant subject line based on its body content, style, and structure. The tool will generate a converting subject, increasing your open rate.
3. Improve existing emails to better match your goals
With Snov.io AI email generator, you can also enhance the existing draft and customize it to your needs. The tool will correct mistakes, refine its structure, or rewrite the copy for a more suitable alternative.
4. Play around with the tone to sound more persuasive
You know which tone your prospects prefer best; with this AI personalized email builder, you can adjust your campaigns accordingly. Simply ask the tool to change the tone from informal to more professional, or vice versa, applying it either to the entire copy or just to a specific part.
5. Localize emails by translating them into 36 languages
Just like ChatGPT, Snov.io AI email generator is a multilingual tool. It allows crafting and translating emails into 36 languages, so you could connect with prospects worldwide.
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💡 How you can outsmart ChatGPT for higher personalization: You can’t personalize email marketing with ChatGPT at scale, but you can easily do that with Snov.io. With its Persona-driven Email Builder, embedded in AI Studio, you can add details about your product or ICP, and the tool will help you generate highly personalized, contextually relevant email templates.
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Key takeaways
Generating effective ChatGPT prompts for email marketing can be a breeze. When done right, it keeps your messaging highly tailored and on point.
Worth saying, AI isn’t magic; the magic lies in how you use it. Keep your ChatGPT prompts concise, clear, and focused. Provide positive instructions and relevant examples to get the best results.
And if you want to access AI email writing and set up entire campaigns on a single platform, you know what to do. Snov.io is always here to boost your cold outreach!
