Using ChatGPT to help you run Facebook ads is like having a hundred pairs of helping hands—but only if you can prompt it right.
AI can’t do all the work for, or replace an experienced performance marketer or agency at the wheel, but there are a lot of ways ChatGPT can give a single person the power of a team.
Here’s how you can use ChatGPT for Facebook ads, along with tried-and-tested prompts and what you can expect from the results.
How to use ChatGPT for Facebook Ads
Before we dive into ChatGPT prompts and use cases, it’s worth going over a few tips to help you get better results from ChatGPT, especially since the LLM (Large Language Model) is still new and always evolving:
- Give it context, guardrails, and roles. ChatGPT might know a lot, but it doesn’t know what’s in your head. Simple details go a long way, like giving it a role (e.g. “You are a Facebook ads expert”), providing explicit parameters (e.g. “Generate 5 campaign ideas using this template”), or context (e.g. “I sell eco-friendly shoes to Gen Z conscious consumers”).
- Use ChatGPT 4 for complex tasks. The ChatGPT Plus plan includes ChatGPT 4, which lets you input and even output images, links, charts, data, and more. Some of the following prompts will require the latest version of ChatGPT.
- Give it pieces or steps, not the whole. Too much context-switching in the same task can actually make ChatGPT less effective. So let it focus on one thing at a time. Like just writing ad copy, or brainstorming campaign ideas, then refine or build on the output with additional prompts in the same chat.
- Save time with custom instructions and saved chats. Many of the prompts include essential business context. You write that into your custom instructions if you want to avoid repeating yourself to create a default starting point for every ChatGPT chat. If you’re juggling multiple clients and brands, you can also create separate chats for each one, or use a text expander to save frequently used prompts as templates.
And it goes without saying: Always tailor your prompts and the way you use ChatGPT to fit your context and workflow. Here goes 👇🏾
- Draft multiple ad copy variations
- Help you build your swipe file
- Brainstorm ad creative concepts
- Turn ad creative ideas into briefs for your designer or agency
- Generate ad scripts and storyboards using specific copywriting frameworks
- Suggest new audiences to target
- Brainstorm creative campaign ideas
- Conduct a quick competitive analysis
- Summarize data and provide recommendations
- Create buyer persona profiles
1. Draft multiple ad copy variations
Arguably the most obvious digital marketing use case for ChatGPT is generating persuasive ad copy and variations.
But if all you tell it to do is “Write good Facebook ad copy,” you’ll likely be disappointed.
You can get better results and avoid revisions by giving ChatGPT specific copy parameters, asking for multiple generations to choose from, and providing context via custom instructions or in the prompt itself.
Here’s a ChatGPT prompt to get several copy variations for the same campaign.
Prompt 💬
You are a Facebook ad copy expert. [Brand/website] sells [product] that [list value props]. I’m running a [campaign/promotion type] targeting [target audience]. My brand voice is [list 3 adjectives]. Write the copy for 5 Facebook ad variations for my target audience using this copy template: Headline (max 40 characters), Primary text (125-300 characters), Description (max 30 characters).
Example 🤖
You are a Facebook ads expert. Lushbakes.biz sells bespoke, artisanal cakes that are handcrafted and customizable for any occasion. I’m running a Valentine's Day promotion targeting couples who want to make their day extra special. My brand voice is romantic, cute, warm. Generate 5 Facebook ad copy variations for my target audience using this copy template: Headline (max 40 characters), Primary text (125-300 characters), Description (max 30 characters).
2. Help you build your swipe file
You can never have enough ad inspiration in your swipe file when a repository of great ads makes working with designers and building ad creative briefs a whole lot easier. Especially if you’re using an ad creative platform like Foreplay to house it all.
Finding aspirational brands off the top of your head is hard, especially if the criteria is something abstract like a vibe, voice, or target audience.
Luckily, ChatGPT can suggest brands based on a list of specific criteria that you can then monitor to save your favorite ads from in Foreplay.
Prompt 💬
I’m looking for brands with great social media ads to add to my swipe file. Suggest 10 brands that are [criteria]. Generate the result as a table that includes columns for brand name, category, target audience, description, website, and Facebook page link.
Example 🤖
I’m looking for brands with great social media ads to add to my swipe file. Suggest 10 brands with a similar voice and tone as cardsagainsthumanity.com. Generate the result as a table that includes columns for brand name, category, target audience, description, website, and Facebook page link.
3. Brainstorm ad creative concepts
As a brainstorming partner, you could do a lot worse than ChatGPT. Especially if you give it a solid starting point, ask for multiple ideas, and focus on developing one idea at a time with feedback.
That can make it especially useful for generating ad creative ideas, from videos to Facebook carousels.
Try this prompt on for size.
Prompt 💬
You are a creative copywriter. My brand [brand name] is [describe objective]. My brand voice is [3 adjectives] and our target audience is [target audience]. Come up with 3 Facebook ad creative concepts that include: Concept name, creative direction, format, placements, and creative brief.
Example🤖
You are a creative copywriter. My brand HealthyMunch is launching a new range of vegan snacks that are gluten-free and rich in protein. My brand voice is vibrant, youthful, and energizing, and our target audience is health-conscious urban millennials and Gen Z. Come up with 3 Facebook ad creative concepts that include: Concept name, creative direction, and suggested format/placements.
4. Turn ad creative ideas into briefs for your designer or agency
Continuity is what makes ChatGPT go from gimmick to tool. You can take any of the ideas it generates from a previous prompt and execute the next step without repeating yourself.
That includes writing briefs for ideas you want to execute.
All you have to do is reference the idea by name or number. If you have a brief template, you can tack that on to the end to ensure it follows your briefing format.
Prompt 💬
Generate a creative brief for [specify idea] that I can give to a designer or creative agency to produce.
Example 🤖
Generate a creative brief for #2 that I can give to a designer or creative agency to produce.
💡 Streamline your ad creative briefs
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5. Generate ad scripts and storyboards using specific copywriting frameworks
ChatGPT prompts can get wordy fast. If only there was a way to condense the craft of copywriting into 3-4 letter acronyms…
Wait, there is. You can just reference popular copywriting frameworks based on the approach you want to take with your ad, such as:
- AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action): Drives customer journey from attention to action.
- PAS (Problem, Agitation, Solution): Highlights a problem, agitates, and presents the solution.
- BAB (Before, After, Bridge): Contrasts current (Before) with potential state (After), and builds a bridge to it.
- 4 P's (Promise, Picture, Proof, Push): Grabs attention with a Promise, paints a vivid Picture of what life could be, provides Proof to support the claim, ends with a Push to act.
Prompt 💬
You are a creative copywriter. My brand [brand name] is [describe objective]. My brand voice is [3 adjectives] and our target audience is [target audience]. Write a script for a [video ad or carousel ad] using the [copywriting framework] framework.
Example 🤖
You are a creative copywriter. My brand HealthyMunch is launching a new range of vegan snacks that are gluten-free and rich in protein. My brand voice is vibrant, youthful, and energizing, and our target audience is health-conscious urban millennials and Gen Z. Write a script for a video ad using the PAS framework.
6. Suggest new audiences to target
Looking to expand into new verticals and niches and need help finding potential Facebook audiences to target?
ChatGPT can help with this two-step prompt.
Prompt 💬
- My brand [brand name] offers [product category] that [value props]. Our prices range from [price range]. Come up with 10 Facebook audience ideas that would be interested in my product. Provide rationale.
- Suggest 10 specific interests for [audience idea] that I can target on Facebook.
Example 🤖
1. My brand TechFront is focused on introducing state-of-the-art technology gadgets that simplify everyday life. My brand voice is innovative, reliable, and engaging, and our target audience is tech-savvy individuals and modern households. ****Come up with 10 Facebook audience ideas that would be interested in my product. Provide rationale.
2. Suggest 10 specific interests for early adopters that I can target on Facebook.
7. Brainstorm creative campaign ideas
Brainstorming means coming up with 100 duds before you strike gold, something ChatGPT is very good at.
By feeding it information about your target audience, campaign objectives, and desired outcomes, ChatGPT can generate creative ideas for promotions, discounts, contests, or other marketing tactics to boost your Facebook ad performance.
Prompt 💬
My brand [brand name] is [description] for [target audience]. We [current state/problem] and want to [objective/goal]. Come up with 3 creative offers/promotions for Facebook ads with a high likelihood of success.
Example 🤖
My brand Mindful Yoga is dedicated to delivering relaxing and rejuvenating online yoga classes for people leading busy lives. We currently have 200 monthly subscribers and want to increase our monthly subscribers by 30% in the next quarter. Come up with 3 creative offers/promotions for Facebook ads with a high likelihood of success.
8. Conduct a quick competitive analysis
With dozens of potential competitors out there and only two eyes, spying on your competitors’ ads can be tough, especially if you don’t know what competitors to watch.
While ChatGPT can get the specific details wrong sometimes, it can be helpful for doing a basic sweep of your market to surface competitors you may not have considered, and help you find gaps in features and positioning.
Prompt 💬
My brand [name or website] offers [product category] that [core value props]. Our prices range from [price range]. Conduct a competitive analysis of 5 direct competitors. Generate the result as a table with columns for Brand (hyperlink website), category, flagship product, price range, target audience, key marketing channels, and differentiators.
Example 🤖
My brand EverGlow Cosmetics offers beauty and skincare products that emphasize natural ingredients, cruelty-free practices, and inclusivity in shade ranges. Our prices range from $15 to $65. Conduct a competitive analysis of 5 direct competitors. Generate the result as a table with columns for Brand (hyperlinked to its website), category, flagship product and price, target audience, key marketing channels, and differentiators.
9. Summarize data and provide recommendations
An underrated feature of ChatGPT 4 is that it can read Excel files and connect to Google Sheets via a ChatGPT plugin. Technically, you could even paste in a screenshot and it should be able to read it as long as all the info is clear.
From there, you can ask it to summarize, analyze, or even visualize your data in all manner of ways, including generating charts and graphs. The example below uses dummy data, but you get the point.
Prompt 💬
Analyze my ad account data and generate a report that includes key insights and recommendations. [upload CSV or link to Google sheet]
Example 🤖
10. Creating buyer persona profiles
Buyer personas can be incredibly useful assets or a complete waste of time depending on how they’re done. A good one can ensure everyone’s focused on the same target.
ChatGPT can be a great way to brainstorm and build these out if you haven’t documented yours yet.
With ChatGPT 4, you could even generate an image to go with it.
Prompt 💬
I am selling a [product category] for [target audience] to [core benefit]. My pricing ranges from [price range]. My product makes it easy to [core value prop]. Generate a buyer persona profile as a table that includes favorite social media, accounts they follow online, interests, pain points, goals, income range, location, family status, psychographics.
Example 🤖
- I am selling a no-code website builder for influencers to monetize their audiences. The pricing ranges from free to $100/mo. It makes it easy to create and monetize a website designed for hosting an online community spread out across multiple platforms. Generate a buyer persona profile as a table that includes favorite social media, accounts they follow online, interests, pain points, goals, income range, location, family status, and psychographics.
Augment your Facebook ads workflow with AI
From drafting multiple ad copy variations to analyzing your competitors, ChatGPT is a powerful tool to streamline your workflow and augment your creativity. The key is to give clear context, explicit parameters, and specific roles. Its effectiveness depends on how well you tailor your prompts and adapt the tool to fit your specific needs.
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