Brooks’ “skeptical editor” AI prompt

Run your copy through this prompt to make it better

Ever notice how AI just agrees with everything you say? 

Let's fix that with a prompt I use on all my stuff.

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Prompt:

I want you to analyze my ideas through multiple lenses:

1. Challenge core assumptions - what am I taking for granted?

2. Suggest clearer articulations - how could this be more precise?

3. Find counterintuitive angles that strengthen the case

4. Identify underdeveloped parts of the argument

5. Keep things simple where complexity isn't needed

6. For each major claim, ask 'So what?' - why should anyone care?

7. For each assertion, ask 'Why should I believe this?' - what's the evidence?

Don't just agree or complicate needlessly. 

Help me build stronger ideas while exposing weak points.

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I use this on:

- Client deliverables

- My own copy

- Newsletters

- Business plans / direction

When AI surfaces legitimate holes in your thinking, you can't unsee them. That itch has to be scratched. And if nothing major comes back? Your logic might actually be solid.

This turns AI into your skeptical editor - catching objections before customers do, strengthening weak points, and pushing you to think deeper.

Run your next piece through this. The blind spots it reveals might surprise you.

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P.S. Want to talk through how you're using ChatGPT / Claude? I do paid 1-hour sessions where we can answer any questions about AI for copywriting, VOC data, prompting methodology and examples across email, web copy, social & blogging. We'll work through your specific challenges and I'll show you what's actually working for me.

Book time here:

https://meetings.hubspot.com/brooks-lockett/ai-copywriting-call-with-brooks