Freelance Web Designer
AI Prompts for Local Prospect Briefs
Start with Step 1See an example
- Who it is for
- Freelance web designers and small studios who want to approach local businesses with a specific, useful observation instead of a generic pitch.
- Outcome
- A one-page brief per prospect, built from public business information you collected and checked yourself, with a few concrete website observations and a short, respectful first-contact draft.
Step-by-step prompts
How to use it: replace the words in [brackets] with your details, paste Step 1 into your AI tool and answer any questions it asks, then paste the next steps into the same chat. Read and edit the result before you use it.
Step 1
Set the ground rules and your offer
I'm a freelance web designer preparing briefs on local businesses. I'll give you only public business information I've looked up myself: the business name, its type, its public website and what I noticed there. Don't look up or ask for personal details about owners or staff. First, help me write a 2-sentence summary of what I offer and who it's for, based on this: [DESCRIBE YOUR SERVICES].
Step 2
Organize what I found
Here are my notes on one business's public website and listing: [PASTE NOTES]. Organize them into: what the business does, who its customers seem to be, and what the site currently does well. Use only my notes. Mark anything you're unsure about as "to verify".
Step 3
Turn observations into opportunities
Based only on my notes, list 3–5 specific, checkable website observations (for example: no clear phone number above the fold, menu not readable on mobile, no online booking link). For each, say why it might matter to this type of business and what I'd suggest. Don't invent traffic numbers, rankings or revenue impact.
Step 4
Write the one-page brief
Combine the above into a one-page prospect brief with headings: Business snapshot, What's working, Opportunities, Suggested first offer, Open questions to verify. Keep it under 300 words and factual.
Step 5
Draft a first-contact message
Draft a short first-contact message (under 120 words) to the business's public contact address. Lead with one genuine positive, mention one specific observation, offer a small next step (like a free 15-minute walkthrough), and make it easy to say no. No pressure tactics, no exaggerated claims.
Example of good output
Illustrative example, not a real business:
Business snapshot: Neighborhood bakery with a public website and a map listing; sells custom cakes and daily bread.
What's working: Strong product photos; hours are listed clearly.
Opportunities:
- Custom cake ordering is only by phone; a simple order request form could save staff time.
- The menu is a PDF that's hard to read on a phone.
Open questions to verify: Whether they already take orders through another service.
Tips and pitfalls
- Use only public business information. Stick to the business's own website, public listings and what you've seen as a customer. Don't collect personal data about owners or employees.
- Check every observation yourself. Load the site on your own phone and desktop before claiming something is broken.
- Skip invented numbers. Don't promise traffic, ranking or sales gains; describe the problem and the fix.
- Respect opt-outs. If a business says no or doesn't reply after a polite follow-up, stop, and follow the outreach rules that apply where you work.
- Keep briefs short. One page is enough to prepare for a real conversation.
FAQ
Can the AI research the business for me?
These prompts assume you gather and check the public information yourself, then paste it in. That keeps the brief accurate and avoids pulling in personal data.
How many prospects should I brief at once?
Start with a handful you genuinely think you can help, so each message stays specific.
Should I include a price in the first message?
Usually it's better to offer a short call first; you can share pricing once you understand what they need.