Hey readers,

Today, we’re going to dive into my favorite AI prompts for cutting down consulting ops. Buckle up 🤓 

In 10 minutes or less, you’ll learn:

• ⚡ How to compress weeks of consulting prep into hours using AI

• 💰 My 5 go-to AI prompts that deliver results for under $5 in API credits

• 🌟 Meet a fractional data scientist + powerlifting record holder (first-ever community spotlight!)

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💎 Last Week’s Gems

• 👅 Guarav Vohra, ex-Head of Growth at Superhuman wrote this insightful piece on why in a world of AI, taste (and resonance) are crucial. It’s written about growing products, but the themes apply to so many endeavors.

• 🤝 Many managers in tech report that hiring in 2025 is harder than ever. Given the rise of AI tools, remote interviews are breaking down. Looks like what’s still working are trial days and in-person interviews.

🧑‍💻 5 AI Prompts for Fractionals and Portfolio Careers (April 2025)

When I started consulting, I had to manually research the market, develop my offers, and create proposals.

But now we’re living in a golden era of tech tools.

With the right AI prompts and LLMs, you can accomplish in hours what used to take weeks. And the results are often better than expected.

All for the cost of $5 in Claude & OpenAI API credits. 🤯 

I’ve spent the past couple months testing dozens of AI prompts specifically for fractionals, independent consultants, and portfolio professionals.

Today, I’m sharing my favorite AI prompts for beginner consulting use cases as of April 2025.

Recap: How I like to write prompts

In a previous edition, I shared the prompt structure I’ve found to get me the best results has four parts:

Keep the above structure in mind as we dive into the 5 AI prompts below.

It’ll help you tailor the prompts to fit your own consulting business:

Prompt #1: Niche generation

• Prompt: “Generate a table of 5 options of consulting niches by combining the following superpowers and interests: [insert strengths and curiosities]”

• Example:

  • Situation: I am brainstorming a new consulting service.

  • Problem: I’m struggling with a blank canvas and am not sure what are potential options in the market.

  • Prompt: “Generate a table of 5 options of consulting niches by combining the following superpowers and interests:
    Superpowers

    1. analytical + creative skills

    2. building and leading teams

    3. growing products

    Curiosities

    1. fintech companies

    2. B2B SaaS

    3. health tech

    For each combination, provide a:

    • unique niche title

    • list of relevant potential clients

    • list of potential pain points felt by clients

    • filter for ideas with a high number of clients and ability to charge a high price”

Prompt #2: Market research

• Prompt: “Conduct an in-depth market research analysis on [industry/sector] in [geo_location or target market] for [client/company name or consulting purpose].”

• Example:

  • Situation: I have just started my APAC market entry consultancy.

  • Problem: I don’t know what are the current market trends, who are the competitors in the market, and risks/challenges to guide how I position my services.

  • Prompt: “Conduct an in-depth market research analysis on APAC market entry services for my own independent growth consulting firm.

    • Market Overview:

      • Summarize the current state and size of the market, recent growth trends, and expected future developments.

      • Identify key market drivers, challenges, and regulatory factors.

    • Competitive Landscape:

      • Identify and profile the top competitors, including their market share, product/service offerings, pricing strategies, and unique selling points.

      • Highlight recent mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships in the sector.

    • Consumer Insights:

      • Analyze target customer segments, purchasing behaviors, and evolving preferences. Highlight demographic, psychographic, and behavioral trends impacting the market.

    • Emerging Trends & Opportunities:

      • Identify and assess emerging trends, technological advancements, and innovation drivers.

      • Provide real-world examples or case studies of companies leveraging these trends.

    • Risks & Barriers:

      • Outline key risks, barriers to entry, and regulatory or compliance issues.

      • Suggest mitigation strategies where possible.

    • Strategic Recommendations:

      • Based on the research, provide actionable recommendations for my agency to capitalize on market opportunities and address challenges.

    • Use recent market research reports, expert analysis, and reputable data sources. Synthesize findings into a clear, comprehensive, and actionable report suitable for executive decision-making”

  • Use Perplexity or Open AI Deep Research

Prompt #3: Competitive research

• Prompt: “Analyze the following consulting service webpage and break down their offer in detail: [insert URL]
  Extract the Offer Name, Consultant Name, Target Client Profile, Offer Method/Delivery Model, Price, and Value Proposition.”

• Example:

  • Situation: I’m doing research on competitors in the APAC go-to-market industry.

  • Problem: I don’t have enough time to research the offers of GTM and marketing firms.

  • Prompt: “You are my market researcher. Analyze the following consulting service webpage and break down their offer in detail: https://kaliber.asia/services/performance-branding/
    
    Offer Extraction
    
    Offer Name: Extract the specific name of the service/package being offered.
    Consultant Name: Identify the name of the consultant or consulting firm.
    
    Target Client Profile:
    - List 3-5 key attributes of the ideal client (industry, company size, stage, role, etc.)
    - Note any specific types of companies or professionals mentioned Client Pain Points:
    - Identify the problems the consultant claims to solve
    
    Offer Method:
    - Categorize the delivery model (fractional leadership, consulting, advisory, coaching, workshops, etc.)
    - Note the engagement structure (ongoing, project-based, retainer, etc.)
    
    Price: - State the price and/or pricing model
    
    Value Proposition:
    - Summarize the core promise of results/transformation
    - Extract any specific metrics or outcomes mentioned”

Prompt #4: Offer and deliverable generation

• Prompt: “You are my consulting strategist. I would like your help to generate a compelling consulting offer and a set of deliverables tailored to my background. First, review these example offers for inspiration: [insert URLs]
  Notice how they define client profiles, outcomes, and pricing models. Then, review the details about my target audience: [insert attributes]
  Next, review my professional background: [insert bullets]
  Then, generate an offer draft including: Offer name, target client profile, client pain points, engagement model, deliverables (bullet point list), pricing model, value proposition"
  The offer should have: [insert guidelines]”

• Example:

  • Situation: I’m ideating my consulting offer and deliverables for B2B SaaS companies.

  • Problem: I’m staring at a blank canvas and am struggling to get started producing an outline before I share it with potential clients.

  • Prompt: “You are my consulting strategist. I would like your help to generate a compelling consulting offer and a set of deliverables tailored to my background.
    First, review these example offers for inspiration:
    - Elena Verna: https://www.elenaverna.com/ 
    - Jason Knight: https://www.oneknightconsulting.com/index.php/services/ 
    
    Notice how they define client profiles, outcomes, and pricing models. Then, review the details about my target audience.
    - Industry: B2B SaaS
    - Company stage: Series B+/growth-stage
    - Geography: US or Europe
    
    Next, review my professional background:
    - Product leader and PM at Dropbox and growth-stage startups
    
    Then, generate an offer draft including:
    - Offer name
    - Target client profile
    - Client pain points
    - Engagement model (consulting, fractional leadership, advisory, etc.)
    - Deliverables (bullet point list)
    - Pricing model (ranges, retainer, project-based, etc.)
    - Value proposition (clear outcomes, metrics if applicable)
    
    The offer should have:
    - Offer description should be under 300 words.
    - Use clear, structured bullet points where possible.
    - Make sure the value proposition highlights specific transformations or results.
    - Avoid jargon—write in plain, professional English.
    - Tailor the messaging for founders, CEOs, and product leaders at my target client.”

Prompt #5: Consulting proposal generation

• Prompt: “You are my consultant. I want your help to generate a compelling consulting proposal based on the inputs provided.
  First, review the consulting proposal examples I have given you and summarize a general structure. [insert knowledge base]
  Next, review the inputs provided about the client. They might resemble sales discovery call notes about the client: [insert call notes]
  Then, choose the services and deliverables that best fit the problem statements about the client: [insert service information]
  Then build a consulting proposal using the general structure, client information, and services offered.
  Make sure to: [insert guidelines]”

• Example:

  • Situation: I do Facebook and Google ads performance optimization consulting.

  • Problem: I’m running out of time and need to prepare a proposal for a recent stationary client I spoke with.

  • Prompt: “You are my consultant. I want your help to generate a compelling consulting proposal based on the inputs provided.
    First, review the consulting proposal examples I have given you and summarize a general structure. See attached file
    
    Next, review the inputs provided about the client. They might resemble sales discovery call notes about the client: [insert an AI meeting note]
    
    Then, choose the services that best fit the problem statements about the client: Facebook and Google ad performance optimization.
    
    Then build a consulting proposal using the general structure, client information, and services offered.
    
    Make sure to:
    - Have an executive summary section
    - Have a phased approach section that breaks down each phase with its overarching goal/scope, project, project item, and deliverable
    - Only display the consulting proposal
    - Only display projects that relate to the services offered”

Quick Summary

In this edition, you learned about 5 AI prompts I have used in my consulting work.

Here are my suggestions for AI-curious consultants:

• Start with your own pains - What’s taking you time and energy? What’s frustrating you? Begin with these use cases first.

• Know just enough to be deadly - By keeping a pulse on the fast-changing AI ecosystem, you’ll notice when you can apply new capabilities to your pains. E.g. you don’t need to know how to build an MCP, but know when/where you’d use one.

• Embrace your generalist instinct - I mentioned this in an earlier edition. Think like a leader of a versatile team. In other words, you’re no longer just a fractional or consultant. You’re leading an AI-powered consulting team.

Thanks for reading!

What’d you think of this piece? I’m always looking to improve. Let me know your thoughts by replying to this email and rating it at the bottom.

✨Community Spotlight

Welcome to our first Community Spotlight, where we highlight amazing readers walking the portfolio path.

Meet Helena Wu

Helena is a Fractional Data Scientist at DataSage. Before, she was a data scientist at Coinbase and Walmart. She’s based in the Greater NYC metro area.

How would you describe what you do to someone outside of your industry?
I help healthcare, SaaS, and B2B businesses build clarity and business takeaways from their messy data.

What triggered your interest in exploring the portfolio path?
I know I value flexibility and autonomy way too much to spend 50 years building someone else’s dream, only to enjoy life after retirement. I want to build the financial freedom to travel the world, help retire my parents early, and enjoy experiences now—in the next 10 years, not the next 50.

What’s your current portfolio career mix?

1. Fractional data science and cloud computing consulting via DataSage

2. Investment property

3. Selling cybersecurity services to SMBs (reach out if your business needs affordable, 360º cybersecurity and MXDR 😉)

What’s one specific change you’ve made to live life more on your own terms?
I'm working on instituting a strong fractional relationship with all my clients. That way, whenever I need a change of scenery, or if I'm close to getting burnt out, I can take a mini vacation and do what I need to for myself. No more accruing and budgeting PTO 3 months in advance.

What advice would you give to someone starting a portfolio career?
Find community and peers who do the same thing. Obviously, Portfolio Path is a great place to start. This will be a lonely path and it is not the norm; your corporate peers will judge you and not understand you, so find peers and mentors who do.

What’s a fun fact about you?
I've been a competitive powerlifter for 10 years. I started the sport because I was naturally good at deadlifting, and I've set a few national records in that lift. My deadlift PR (personal record) is 215.5 kg in the 60 kg weight class. Non-photogenic picture of me doing my thing!

How can people connect with you?
LinkedIn | Email

P.S. Did you enjoy this spotlight? Hit reply and let me know—or suggest another amazing portfolio pathers we should feature next!