I’ve been struggling with generating article ideas for Medium that truly resonate, and I know you have too.
Do you ever find that your ChatGPT prompts give bland & uninspired titles?
Have you tried a generic, short prompt and ended up with an output that barely scratches the surface?
Let’s talk about a common mistake I’ve seen time and again.
Most people use a very basic prompt like:
“Give me 20 article ideas in dog food.”
This is the kind of prompt everyone usually uses.
It’s vague.
It’s generic.
It doesn’t tap into current trends, personal experiences, or the unique vibe that grabs your reader’s attention.
And honestly? It gives you bad output.
I used to rely on this short prompt too.
I’d sit there, type it in, and then stare at the uninspiring list that ChatGPT gave.
The results were dull, lacking context, and they didn’t capture the essence of what makes Medium articles engaging.
That’s why I’m here to propose a better way.
I developed a detailed prompt that takes your ideas from “meh” to “must-read.”
This prompt is a blueprint for generating creative, clickbaity titles that hit every mark.
I’ll walk you through why my prompt works so well.
I want you to leave here feeling confident that your next prompt can produce article ideas that are relevant, practical, and engaging.
The Common Mistake: A Very Bad Prompt Example
Let’s start with that poor prompt many of us use.
“Give me 20 article ideas in dog food.”
Every sentence in that prompt is vague.
There’s no context.
There’s no instruction on the style or tone.
There’s no direction to target current trends or emotional connection.
It’s like trying to build a house without a blueprint.
Why Is This Prompt So Bad?
- Lack of Direction:
You aren’t telling ChatGPT what topic of the niche you want to talk about or focus on. - No Criteria Provided:
It doesn’t mention the need for relevance, universality, or practicality. Without these details, the ideas come out generic and uninspired. - Missed Opportunity for Engagement:
It doesn’t encourage a storytelling approach or emotional connection. It simply asks for a list, leaving out the magic of engaging writing.
I remember the frustration of scrolling through a list of ideas that felt like they were written by a machine.
No personality.
No unique perspective.
Just bland suggestions that didn’t spark any excitement.
The Better Way
Now, let’s talk about the prompt that works for me.
This is the one that ensures your output is creative, engaging, and optimized for Medium’s audience and algorithms.
Here’s the prompt I use for generating Medium article topic ideas:
Prompt:
Give me 20 Medium article titles in topic [TOPIC].
Titles should be click baity and should satisfy any of the below values:
- Relevance: They address current trends, societal shifts, and emerging technologies.
- Universality: Many topics have broad appeal across different demographics.
- Practical Value: They offer actionable advice or insights that readers can apply.
- Emotional Connection: Personal stories and relatable content resonate deeply with readers.
- Curiosity and Learning: They satisfy the desire to learn and understand new concepts.
- Identify Gaps: Find topics within these niches that are underrepresented.
- Unique Perspective: Offer fresh insights or challenge conventional wisdom.
- Engaging Writing Style: Use storytelling techniques to captivate your audience.
- Optimise for Medium: Understand Medium’s algorithms and audience preferences.
- Community Engagement: Interact with readers and other writers to build a network.This prompt isn’t just a random list of instructions.
It’s a well-thought-out structure that guides ChatGPT to produce content that’s both creative and targeted.
How This Prompt Transforms Your Content Creation
When I started using this prompt, the difference was like night and day.
I moved from bland, uninspired titles to a list of dynamic, clickable headlines.
Each title now comes with a clear purpose, a target audience, and a promise of valuable content.
Here’s what I love about this approach:
- Clarity:
The prompt is crystal clear about what it needs. It leaves no room for guesswork. - Depth:
By specifying the values, the output goes beyond surface-level ideas. It digs deep into what makes a title truly appealing. - Focus:
The detailed instructions make sure that every generated title is aligned with the target audience’s interests and the platform’s style. - Actionability:
Each title is a promise of practical, actionable advice or insight. It isn’t just about grabbing attention, it’s about delivering value.
Imagine sitting down with a friend over coffee and brainstorming ideas that spark genuine interest.
That’s the vibe this prompt creates.
Additional Tips for Crafting the Perfect Prompt
Here are some extra tips to keep your prompts sharp and effective:
- Be Specific:
The more specific your instructions, the better the output. - Think Like Your Audience:
Ask yourself what your readers really want to know. - Incorporate Stories and Examples:
This creates a personal connection with your audience. - Use Bullet Points:
Break down complex instructions into bullet points. - Keep It Conversational:
Write like you’re talking to a friend. - Test and Tweak:
If the output isn’t perfect, adjust your prompt until it is.
These aren’t just random tips.
They’re the result of real-world experience and countless hours refining my approach to content creation.
I know the struggle of starting with generic, uninspiring prompts all too well.
But once you adopt a detailed, thoughtful prompt like the one I shared today, you’ll see a difference in your output.
Every time I use this detailed prompt, I’m reminded that quality content starts with quality instructions.
The difference between a bland idea and an engaging headline is all in the details.
