Proven ChatGPT Prompts for Running Market Research

# Market Research Prompts for Your Meal-Planning App

Below are 10 ready-to-use ChatGPT prompts organized by research dimension. Copy, paste, and replace the bracketed placeholders with your specifics.

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## 🎯 Customer Profiling

**1. Build detailed personas**
You are a senior consumer researcher specializing in [target market: busy working parents in the US]. Create 3 distinct personas for users of a [product: subscription meal-planning app focused on healthy, budget-friendly dinners]. Present the output as a table with columns: Name, Age/Household, Occupation, Weekly Schedule, Food Values, Budget per Week, Biggest Frustrations, and Preferred Apps/Tools.
*Tip: Iterate by asking ChatGPT to "make persona #2 a single parent of 3 earning under $60K" to stress-test niches.*

**2. Segment the market for underserved niches**
Act as a market segmentation strategist. Break down [target market] into 6-8 micro-segments based on lifestyle, dietary needs, income, and cooking ability. For each, rate (High/Med/Low) how well HelloFresh, Mealime, and PlateJoy currently serve them, and flag the 2 most underserved segments with reasoning in a table.
*Tip: Follow up with "Give me 5 marketing angles to reach the top underserved segment."*

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## 💡 Pain Points & Jobs-to-Be-Done

**3. Map the Jobs-to-Be-Done**
You are a JTBD framework expert. List the top 10 functional, emotional, and social jobs that [target market] are "hiring" a meal-planning solution to do. Format as a bulleted list grouped by job type, and note which jobs are currently underserved by [competitors: HelloFresh, Mealime, PlateJoy].
*Tip: Ask ChatGPT to rank the jobs by frequency and importance, then pick the top 3 to build your value prop around.*

**4. Surface hidden pain points**
Act as a qualitative researcher analyzing Reddit, app store reviews, and parenting forums. List 15 specific, verbatim-style complaints from [target market] about meal planning, grocery budgeting, and existing meal-kit/app services. Organize into a table with columns: Pain Point, Example Quote, Root Cause, Frequency (Common/Occasional).
*Tip: Ask for actual subreddit and forum names to visit next for primary research.*

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## 🔍 Competitor Analysis

**5. Build a competitive feature matrix**
You are a competitive intelligence analyst. Create a comparison table of [competitors: HelloFresh, Mealime, PlateJoy, and 2 others you recommend] across these dimensions: Pricing, Target User, Core Features, Dietary Customization, Grocery Integration, Budget-Consciousness, Weaknesses, and App Store Rating.
*Tip: Follow up with "What features does no competitor offer that [target market] would pay for?"*

**6. Analyze competitor positioning and messaging**
Act as a brand strategist. Review the homepage messaging, taglines, and ad copy of [competitor 1], [competitor 2], and [competitor 3]. Summarize each company's positioning statement, target customer, emotional hooks, and messaging gaps in a table, then recommend 3 whitespace positioning angles for a new entrant.
*Tip: Paste in their actual homepage copy for sharper, more accurate analysis.*

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## 📊 Market Sizing & Trends

**7. Estimate market size (TAM/SAM/SOM)**
You are a market analyst. Estimate TAM, SAM, and SOM for a [product] targeting [target market] in the US. Show your math step-by-step, list the assumptions and data sources you'd use to validate, and present final numbers in a table with a 3-year growth projection.
*Tip: Ask "What 5 public data sources should I check to verify these numbers?" to get a validation checklist.*

**8. Identify relevant trends and tailwinds**
Act as a consumer trends researcher. List the top 10 trends (cultural, technological, economic, regulatory) from the last 3 years that will impact demand for [product] among [target market]. For each trend, provide: Description, Evidence/Stat, Impact on my business (Opportunity/Threat), and Strategic Implication.
*Tip: Ask ChatGPT to "flag which 3 trends are most defensible to build a brand around."*

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## 💰 Pricing & Positioning

**9. Test pricing models and willingness to pay**
You are a pricing strategist. Propose 4 pricing models for [product] (e.g., flat monthly, freemium, tiered, annual). For each, estimate a reasonable price range for [target market], explain the psychological rationale, and list pros/cons. Then recommend which to test in an MVP and why, in a decision-matrix table.
*Tip: Follow up with "Design a Van Westendorp price sensitivity survey I can send to 50 target users."*

**10. Craft and stress-test positioning statements**
Act as a positioning expert trained in April Dunford's methodology. Draft 3 distinct positioning statements for [product] aimed at [target market], each targeting a different underserved niche. For each, include: Category, Target Customer, Key Alternatives, Unique Value, and a one-line elevator pitch. Format as a comparison table.
*Tip: Ask "Which of these would be hardest for HelloFresh to copy?" to pressure-test defensibility.*

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## 🎤 Customer Interview Questions

**11. Generate a discovery interview script**
You are a user researcher trained in "The Mom Test" by Rob Fitzpatrick. Write a 20-minute customer discovery interview script for [target market] to validate demand for [product]. Include warm-up questions, behavior-focused questions about their current meal-planning process, problem-validation questions, and willingness-to-pay probes—without leading the interviewee. Format as a numbered script with notes on what each question is designed to reveal.
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# Market Research Prompts for Meal-Planning Subscription App

## Customer Profiling & Segmentation

**1. Create a Target Customer Persona**

You are a market research analyst specializing in consumer behavior. Create 3–4 detailed buyer personas for [busy working parents aged 28–45 in the US] interested in [healthy, budget-friendly meal planning]. For each persona, include: demographics, household income, work schedule, family size, tech comfort level, current pain points, and decision-making style. Format as a table with columns for each attribute.

*Tip: Ask follow-up prompts to drill deeper into one persona (e.g., "What's the morning routine of Persona 2?") or to validate personas against real survey data.*

**2. Identify Underserved Micro-Segments**

You are a niche market strategist. Analyze [the meal-planning subscription space] and identify 5–7 underserved micro-segments within the [busy working parent] category (e.g., single parents, plant-based families, low-income households, parents with food allergies). For each segment, explain why it's underserved and its potential size. Format as a ranked bullet list.

*Tip: Cross-reference findings with Reddit communities, Facebook groups, or survey data to validate which segments show highest engagement or frustration.*

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## Pain Points & Jobs-to-Be-Done

**3. Map Core Pain Points and Emotional Jobs**

You are a jobs-to-be-done strategist. For [busy working parents seeking meal planning solutions], list 10–12 primary pain points across these categories: time management, decision fatigue, budget constraints, dietary variety, grocery shopping, food waste, and family preferences. Then reframe 5–6 of the most critical pain points as emotional or functional "jobs" they're trying to accomplish. Format as a two-column table: Pain Point → Job-to-Be-Done.

*Tip: Validate these jobs by asking customers "When did you last feel frustrated by [pain point]?" in interviews; emotional language reveals the strongest motivations.*

**4. Quantify Pain Point Severity**

You are a market researcher. Design a survey framework to measure the severity and frequency of [5 key pain points related to meal planning for busy parents]. For each pain point, suggest 2–3 Likert-scale or open-ended questions that uncover both the emotional and practical impact. Include sampling guidance (target 100–200 respondents from [your target market]). Format as a structured survey outline.

*Tip: Use tools like Typeform or SurveyMonkey to run this in 1–2 weeks; prioritize pain points scoring highest on both frequency and emotional intensity.*

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## Competitor Analysis

**5. Competitive Feature & Positioning Matrix**

You are a competitive intelligence analyst. Create a comparison matrix of [HelloFresh, Mealime, PlateJoy, and any 2 emerging competitors] across these dimensions: core feature set, target audience, pricing model, meal customization depth, time-to-cook, budget-friendliness, app UX rating, and unique differentiation. Format as a table and highlight gaps or opportunities where [your product] could outperform.

*Tip: Visit each competitor's app store page, pricing page, and run 2–3 sample workflows; note exact language they use to describe their value prop—this reveals what's already claimed.*

**6. Analyze Competitor Weaknesses Through Customer Reviews**

You are a sentiment analyst specializing in app reviews. Analyze the top complaints and praise from 50+ reviews each of [HelloFresh and Mealime] (across App Store and Google Play). Organize findings into a table: Competitor → Top 3 Weaknesses → Top 3 Strengths → Market Opportunity. Identify patterns in complaints related to [budget, time-to-prepare, family customization, and grocery coordination].

*Tip: Use AppFigures, Sensor Tower, or manually scrape reviews; tag complaints by theme (UX, price, variety, etc.) to spot underserved needs your app could address.*

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## Market Sizing & Trends

**7. Estimate Total Addressable Market (TAM)**

You are a market sizing specialist. Estimate the TAM for [subscription meal-planning services targeting busy working parents in the US]. Start with the total US population, filter down through: parents with children under 18, working full-time, earning $40K+, and interested in meal planning. Provide calculation steps, cite data sources, and give a TAM range (conservative, mid, optimistic). Format as a step-by-step breakdown with final numbers.

*Tip: Cross-check estimates using Census data, BLS employment figures, and industry reports (e.g., McKinsey, Statista); provide a confidence level for each assumption.*

**8. Map Macro Trends Influencing Demand**

You are a trends researcher. Identify and explain 6–8 macro trends (economic, cultural, technological, health-related) that are driving or could drive demand for [healthy, budget-conscious meal planning among working parents] through 2025–2026. For each trend, estimate its impact (high/medium/low) and suggest how [your product] could align with or leverage it. Format as a table: Trend → Description → Impact → Strategic Alignment.

*Tip: Review reports from Mintel, Euromonitor, or trend forecasters like Wired's Future Lab; cite sources and note which trends have the strongest data backing.*

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## Pricing & Positioning

**9. Determine Willingness-to-Pay and Price Sensitivity**

You are a pricing strategist. Design a research framework to test willingness-to-pay (WTP) for [a meal-planning subscription targeting busy parents]. Include: (a) 3–4 pricing tiers you'd test ($5–$20/month range), (b) 2–3 survey question formats (van Westendorp, conjoint, or direct questioning), (c) guidance on sample size and respondent targeting, and (d) how to account for competitor pricing ($10–$15/month typical). Format as a structured research plan with specific numbers and methodologies.

*Tip: Run WTP surveys with 100–150 target customers; look for price "sweet spots" where willingness drops off sharply—this reveals elasticity and optimal positioning.*

**10. Craft Differentiated Positioning Against Key Competitors**

You are a positioning strategist. Given that [HelloFresh emphasizes convenience and recipe variety, Mealime targets time-saving, and PlateJoy focuses on personalization], develop 3 alternative positioning statements for [your meal-planning app] that address underserved needs of [busy working parents, particularly those on tight budgets]. Each statement should be 1–2 sentences, include a core benefit, and differentiate on one key dimension (speed, cost, family flexibility, etc.). Format as numbered statements with supporting rationale.

*Tip: Test these positioning statements in customer interviews (qualitative) and surveys (quantitative); the strongest one should evoke immediate recognition of the problem and solution.*

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## Customer Interview Guide

**11. Design a Customer Discovery Interview Script**

You are a customer development specialist. Create a semi-structured interview guide (12–15 open-ended questions) for [30-minute conversations with busy working parents interested in meal planning]. Structure it in three phases: (a) current meal-planning workflow and pain points (4–5 Qs), (b) needs and desired outcomes (4–5 Qs), (c) willingness to try a new solution and adoption barriers (3–4 Qs). Include probing follow-ups and note-taking prompts. Format as a conversational script with interviewer guidance.

*Tip: After 8–10 interviews, look for repeating themes; if new themes still emerge, continue to 15–20 interviews for saturation; record and transcribe for deeper analysis.*

**12. Create a Post-Interview Analysis Framework**

You are a qualitative research analyst. Design a template and process to synthesize insights from [12+ customer discovery interviews about meal-planning needs]. Include: (a) a 1-page summary template per interview (key quotes, pain points, needs, objections), (b) a thematic coding guide (e.g., time, cost, family dynamics, health), (c) a cross-interview pattern-spotting checklist, and (d) guidance on surfacing the top 3–5 insights to share with your product team. Format as a structured toolkit with example outputs.

*Tip: Use a tool like Dovetail, Miro, or a simple spreadsheet; color-code themes and create a "hot quotes" doc to bring interviews to life in team presentations.*

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## Implementation Notes

- **Start with prompts 1–3** to clarify your customer and their core needs (1–2 weeks).
- **Run prompts 5–6 and 11–12 in parallel** to

### Customer Profiling
1. **Buyer Personas**  
   You are an expert customer profiler specializing in consumer tech. For [target market: busy working parents in the US seeking healthy, budget-friendly dinners] and [product: subscription meal-planning app], create 3 detailed buyer personas representing key segments. Output as a markdown table with columns: Persona Name, Age/Income/Family Size, Psychographics (values, attitudes), Daily Behaviors, Key Motivations.  
   *Tip: Iterate by providing feedback on personas (e.g., "Make Persona 2 more budget-focused") to refine details.*

2. **Customer Segments**  
   You are a market segmentation expert. Analyze potential segments within [target market: busy working parents in the US seeking healthy, budget-friendly dinners] for [product: subscription meal-planning app], identifying underserved niches beyond [competitors: HelloFresh, Mealime, PlateJoy]. Output as a bullet list of 5 segments with descriptions, size estimates, and accessibility via digital channels.  
   *Tip: Iterate by asking "Expand on segment [X] with data sources" to add validation.*

### Pain Points and Jobs-to-Be-Done
3. **Pain Points Identification**  
   You are a jobs-to-be-done framework expert. For [target market: busy working parents in the US seeking healthy, budget-friendly dinners], list the top 10 pain points related to meal planning and preparation, ranked by severity. Output as a numbered list with each pain point described in 1-2 sentences, including emotional and functional impacts.  
   *Tip: Iterate by prompting "Prioritize these pains for [specific segment, e.g., dual-income families]" for customization.*

4. **Jobs-to-Be-Done Mapping**  
   You are an expert in JTBD theory for consumer apps. Map 8 core jobs-to-be-done for [target market: busy working parents in the US] when using [product: subscription meal-planning app], categorizing as functional, emotional, and social. Output in a table with columns: Job Category, Specific Job, Current Solutions, Unmet Needs.  
   *Tip: Iterate with "Cross-reference these JTBD against [competitor feature]" to spot opportunities.*

### Competitor Analysis
5. **Competitor Feature Comparison**  
   You are a competitive intelligence analyst. Compare [product: subscription meal-planning app] against [competitors: HelloFresh, Mealime, PlateJoy] on 10 key features like customization, pricing, grocery integration, and family-friendliness for [target market]. Output as a markdown table with rows for features and columns for each competitor plus your gaps/opportunities.  
   *Tip: Iterate by uploading competitor screenshots and saying "Update table with visual analysis."*

6. **Competitor SWOT and Gaps**  
   You are a strategic analyst focused on underserved niches. Perform a SWOT analysis for each of [competitors: HelloFresh, Mealime, PlateJoy] targeting [target market: busy working parents in the US], highlighting budget-friendly healthy meal gaps. Output as bullet lists grouped by competitor, ending with 3 niche opportunities for [product].  
   *Tip: Iterate with "Deepen threats section using recent reviews" for timeliness.*

### Market Sizing and Trends
7. **Market Sizing**  
   You are a market sizing expert using top-down and bottom-up methods. Estimate TAM, SAM, and SOM for [product: subscription meal-planning app] aimed at [target market: busy working parents in the US], incorporating US household data and subscription app penetration. Output as a table with assumptions, calculations, and final figures in dollars/subscribers.  
   *Tip: Iterate by providing "Use [specific data source, e.g., Statista meal kit stats]" to refine numbers.*

8. **Trends Analysis**  
   You are a trends forecaster for food-tech. Identify 8 emerging trends in meal planning/subscription apps relevant to [target market: busy working parents in the US wanting healthy, budget-friendly dinners], such as inflation impacts or AI personalization. Output as a bullet list with trend description, evidence, and opportunity for [product].  
   *Tip: Iterate with "Forecast [trend] impact over 3 years" for forward-looking insights.*

### Pricing and Positioning
9. **Willingness to Pay and Pricing**  
   You are a pricing strategist for SaaS apps. For [product: subscription meal-planning app] targeting [target market], benchmark pricing against [competitors: HelloFresh, Mealime, PlateJoy], estimate willingness to pay via value-based tiers, and suggest 3 models (e.g., $5-15/month). Output as a table with tiers, features, competitor comps, and projected conversion rates.  
   *Tip: Iterate by asking "Test sensitivity to [price point, e.g., $9.99] with survey logic."*

10. **Positioning Strategy**  
    You are a branding and positioning expert. Develop a positioning statement and perceptual map for [product: subscription meal-planning app] vs. [competitors: HelloFresh, Mealime, PlateJoy], emphasizing underserved [target market] needs like budget-health balance. Output as: 1 positioning statement, 1 perceptual map description (axes: health vs. cost), and 5 key messages.  
    *Tip: Iterate with "Adapt for [niche segment, e.g., vegan parents]" to specialize.*

### Customer Interview Questions
11. **Interview Question Script**  
    You are a qualitative research designer. Create a 12-question interview script to validate demand for [product: subscription meal-planning app] with [target market: busy working parents in the US], covering pains, JTBD, willingness to pay, and competitor use. Output as a numbered list grouped by section (Intro, Core, Close), with follow-up probes.  
    *Tip: Iterate by prompting "Shorten for 15-min calls" or "Add screening questions."*

12. **Validation Hypotheses Questions**  
    You are an MVP validation expert. Generate 10 hypothesis-testing questions for customer interviews on [product: subscription meal-planning app], focusing on demand, pricing ($X/month), and niche fit vs. [competitors]. Output as a bullet list with question, hypothesis it tests, and expected positive/negative signals.  
    *Tip: Iterate with "Prioritize top 5 for surveys" to adapt for quantitative use.*