🔍 The One Prompt Every Small Business Should Steal From Dan Chanez

“I want you to understand me on a foundational level…”

This isn’t just a prompt—it’s a game changer.

Originally crafted by Dan Chanez and now being shared across prompt engineering communities, this deceptively simple sentence holds the key to unlocking ChatGPT’s full potential—not just as a task rabbit, but as a strategic partner that learns and grows with you.

And here’s why small businesses should be paying close attention.

🤔 The Problem with How Most Small Businesses Use ChatGPT

Let’s be real. Most small businesses use ChatGPT like a vending machine:

• “Write a social media post.”

• “Fix this email.”

• “Summarise this blog.”

Fast? Sure. Smart? Not quite.

What they’re missing is the relationship layer—the potential to turn ChatGPT from a one-time tool into an ongoing, adaptive thinking partner.

And that’s where the Dan Chanez prompt comes in.

✨ The Foundational Prompt That Changes Everything

Here’s Dan’s original prompt:

“I want you to understand me on a foundational level, gathering information that would be helpful across a broad range of future interactions and topics. Start by reviewing what you already know about me, if anything, and then build on that by asking questions that go beyond my current needs or immediate tasks. Focus on learning about my core values, preferences, long-term goals, and unique personal and professional characteristics. Your goal is to ask about things that, once known, will help you understand my perspective, decision-making style, and motivations in any context. Prioritise questions that would help you provide relevant and personalised support across multiple areas of life, not just immediate requests. Think about who I am holistically and ask what would help you serve me well over time.”,

Now imagine plugging that into your next ChatGPT session.

Suddenly, it’s not just “make me a caption.”

It’s “make me a caption that aligns with my brand tone, my marketing goals, and how I talk to my audience.”

That shift is profound.

🛠️ How SMBs Can Use This Prompt in Real Life

Here’s how you can adapt Dan’s foundational prompt to make ChatGPT more valuable in your business over time.

1. Kick Off a Long-Term Working Relationship with ChatGPT

Start your next ChatGPT conversation with this:

“Before we dive into tasks, I want you to get to know me and my business. Ask me anything that will help you help me over time.”

2. Train ChatGPT Once—Benefit Over and Over Again

Once ChatGPT knows things like:

• your top 3 marketing goals

• what kind of tone of voice you use

• how you handle customer service

• who your ideal client is

…it will automatically reflect those things in future copy, advice, and strategy recommendations. No need to repeat yourself.

3. Use It Across Multiple Roles

Once you’ve laid the foundation, ChatGPT can flex between roles:

• 📣 Marketing strategist: “What kind of lead magnet aligns with my audience and goals?”

• ✍️ Content writer: “Can you write this blog in my tone of voice?”

• 🤖 Automation assistant: “Can you help map out an onboarding workflow that reflects how I serve my clients?”

All from the same core understanding of you.

💡 Why This Matters More Than Ever

Small business owners don’t have time to micromanage their tools. You need systems that get you and grow with you. This foundational prompt creates an AI relationship that’s personal, not generic.

It saves time.

It sharpens your brand voice.

And it helps ChatGPT anticipate your needs before you even ask.

🧠 Want Help Setting This Up?

At Small Biz Prompt Shop, wbelieve thatat ve promptinisla skill setet, not just a shortcut. That’s why we created our free Prompt Like a Pro training to help you build smarter, faster workflows using foundational prompts like this one.

Use it to:

• Train ChatGPT on your tone and va.lues

• Buia ld reusable promtemplateempl.ates

• Work less while getting more .done

Because AI should be your co-pilot, not another tool to babysit.

📥 Steal This Prompt for Your Use

Let’s make AI feel like it was built just for your business.

Because with the right prompt—it kinda is.