When to use this prompt
Explaining complex ideas to non-experts — Ideal when you need to simplify technical, marketing, or business concepts for general audiences.
Creating educational or SEO content — Great for blog posts, landing pages, or thought leadership pieces that need high engagement and clarity.
Developing training or enablement materials — Perfect for internal docs, sales decks, or onboarding materials where analogies boost understanding.
Brainstorming creative angles — Useful during ideation for campaigns, videos, or social posts where relatable metaphors make ideas stick.
The prompt
Act as a senior content writer. I am explaining [COMPLEX_CONCEPT] to an audience of [AUDIENCE]. Generate 10 analogies that make this concept instantly clear and relatable. Each analogy should: 1) draw from a familiar domain (business, daily life, technology), 2) stay true to the logic of the original concept, and 3) avoid clichés or overused metaphors. For each analogy, provide a one-line note on why it works. At the end, recommend the 2 strongest analogies for use in the article introduction or as a visual explainer.
Variables to replace:
Real-life example of how to use this prompt
To start, let's assume I'm a content lead at Hubspot. The prompt in the context of Hubspot would look like:
As you can see, I added the main keyword "inbound marketing" and specified the intent as well.
Example output from ChatGPT for this prompt
And here's the output:
1. The Espresso Machine Analogy
Your marketing, sales, and service teams are the heating elements that build pressure. When they’re aligned, that pressure turns into a smooth, steady shot of customer delight—and the more satisfied customers you serve, the easier it becomes to pull the next shot.
Why it works: It’s tangible, visual, and connects with the idea of consistent, quality output powered by efficient systems.
2. The E-Bike Analogy
Your marketing efforts are the pedaling, but every delighted customer is like an electric assist—making each new ride (sale) easier and faster without burning extra energy.
Why it works: Clearly illustrates how customer experience adds self-sustaining momentum.
3. The Word-of-Mouth Snowball Analogy
Instead of pushing a boulder uphill, think of building a snowball. Every positive interaction adds another layer—growing larger and rolling faster on its own.
Why it works: Shows compounding energy and growth through customer advocacy.
4. The Restaurant Reputation Analogy
A new restaurant relies on ads to fill tables, but once diners have great experiences, their reviews and referrals keep the seats full. The better the service, the less you need to “advertise.”
Why it works: Ties directly to customer experience fueling sustainable growth—no jargon needed.
5. The Smartphone Update Analogy
Each great customer experience is like a software update—fixing friction points, improving performance, and making the whole system run smoother.
Why it works: Connects continuous improvement to momentum and modern tech logic.
6. The Garden Ecosystem Analogy
When your marketing attracts pollinators (visitors), your service nourishes the soil (relationships), and your sales plant new seeds (customers), your garden grows on its own over time.
Why it works: Demonstrates interdependence and organic growth through nurturing, not pushing.
7. The Subscription Streaming Analogy
Once a viewer (customer) loves your content, they don’t just stay subscribed—they recommend you, leave reviews, and share playlists that attract others.
Why it works: Mirrors how retention and delight turn customers into promoters without added “push.”
8. The Fitness Momentum Analogy
At first, showing up to the gym (marketing) takes discipline. But as you see results and feel better (customer delight), the motivation builds on itself, making progress easier.
Why it works: Relatable example of how early effort builds lasting momentum through positive feedback.
9. The Smart Thermostat Analogy
The more your system learns from user behavior (customer data), the more efficiently it runs—automatically creating comfort while using less energy.
Why it works: Relates directly to feedback loops and optimization driven by experience.
10. The Local Coffee Shop Community Analogy
A café that knows your name and remembers your order doesn’t just sell coffee—it creates regulars who bring friends, leave reviews, and build community energy.
Why it works: Makes the “delight → attract → engage” cycle visible in everyday business terms.
✅ Best Two for an Introduction or Visual Explainer
The E-Bike Analogy — perfect for illustrating momentum and customer-powered growth in a modern, intuitive way.
The Restaurant Reputation Analogy — instantly relatable to small business owners, vividly linking customer experience to sustainable marketing efficiency.
Or to be more specific:
Pro tips
Be hyper-specific with your inputs — Clearly define the concept and the audience so ChatGPT tailors analogies that truly resonate.
Add industry or persona context — Mention tone, brand, or field (e.g., “in a SaaS context” or “for healthcare professionals”) to make analogies more relevant.
Request refinement rounds — After seeing the 10 analogies, ask ChatGPT to expand, blend, or visualize the top 2–3 for richer storytelling.
Use analogies strategically — Drop the strongest analogy in intros, visuals, or social snippets where it can create an instant “aha!” moment.
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