AI can generate genuinely useful marketing plans, but only with the right prompting. Through trial and error, I found that framing the task as a simulated 100-person focus group discussing the company works far better than just asking for answers directly. I split the group into 20 random breakout rooms of 5 people each, let them deliberate, then reconvene everyone to synthesize their input into a set of recommendations. From there, I generate a 5-20 page report, followed by a 1-page summary.

To show how this works, let me demonstrate on a random organization I have zero affiliation with: Handspring Health. Longer report available by request.

Claude Penland builds the marketing and business strategy for companies that are good at what they do and hard to find. Thirty years operating, one exit, eight of them as a practicing casualty actuary.

The free two-page read is genuinely free. Email claude@1000startups.com and I'll send back what I can see from the outside. Or see the work samples and how to work with me.