Jump-Start Your Creativity With These 30 Helpful Business Writing Prompts

Writing is hard. Every writer knows this, because they’ve spent time at the desk, staring into space wondering what in the hell to write about. That’s where business writing prompts come in.

People who aren’t writers may not know this (yet), because they sometimes (mistakenly) think it’s easy as typing words into the computer, and, voilà, you have a book (or blog post, or email, etc.).

30 Writing Prompts

So the evil geniuses behind Mandel Marketing and Mandel Publishing are going to make it easier for you–whether you’re a copywriting working on a blog post or a business leader writing a memoir or nonfiction book, here are 30 highly-detailed, generative business writing prompts to spark your creativity and get the writing to start flowing.

And for even more help with writing, order Mandel Marketing founder Phillip Scott Mandel’s new writing book, An MFA For Your MBA.

11 Writing Prompts about Business, Work, and Leadership

  1. Analyze the impact of social media on modern businesses, including both its benefits and challenges. Be specific and do some research into actual companies and use cases–who is doing it well, and who is not? Why?
  2. Describe the qualities that make an effective business executive or manager, and discuss how they contribute to success in leadership.
  3. Investigate the importance of emotional intelligence in senior leadership (for both startup entrepreneurs as well as the C-Suite of a large or mid-size organizations) and provide examples of how it can be developed and utilized.
  4. Research and write about two successful business leaders or entrepreneurs and analyze their strategies for success. Pick two people that are in different categories, endeavors, or two people at different stages of their career–perhaps one a “seasoned veteran” (that is, old), and one who is an up-and-comer.
  5. Write about the importance of professional development in career growth and discuss the various ways in which individuals can continue to develop their skills and knowledge. Consider, as well, the role of mentorship in developing successful leaders and discuss strategies for finding and building meaningful mentoring relationships. Did you have a mentor, or are you a mentor to junior employees? Write about that experience.
  6. Analyze the impact of diversity and inclusion on successful leadership as well as business overall, including the benefits and challenges of leading a diverse team. Discuss the ways in which organizations can foster a more inclusive and equitable environment.
  7. Write about the impact of the pandemic on the future of work and discuss the ways in which remote work and digital technologies have changed the workplace. Investigate the pros and cons of remote work and discuss its potential long-term impact on businesses.
  8. Describe the process of goal-setting in effective leadership and management, and provide examples of how goals can be achieved through strategic planning and execution.
  9. Write about the importance of effective communication in the workplace and provide examples of how it can be improved.
  10. Investigate the ethical considerations in business practices and discuss the importance of transparency and accountability.
  11. Investigate the importance of work-life balance in maintaining overall health and wellness and provide strategies for achieving balance. Analyze the role of leadership in creating a positive workplace culture and discuss the strategies that leaders can use to build a healthy and supportive team dynamic. How does teamwork play a role in this? Describe the benefits and challenges of team collaboration in the workplace and discuss how effective teamwork can contribute to a positive work environment.

7 Marketing Writing Prompts

  1. Write about the role of storytelling in marketing and discuss the various ways in which brands can use storytelling to create emotional connections with consumers. Share examples of successful storytelling in advertising and content marketing and provide practical advice for writers looking to improve their storytelling skills. Need more inspiration? Read the Mandel Marketing take on storytelling for social media marketing.
  2. Investigate the impact of influencer marketing on consumer behavior and discuss the ethical considerations that arise when brands collaborate with influencers.
  3. Describe the process of developing a successful marketing campaign and discuss the key elements that contribute to its success. Because this is so general, you should first think about what type of marketing campaign–digital, traditional, mailing, branding, point-of-sale, experiential, etc. Then go into detail about that specific type of marketing. The great thing about this particular writing prompt is that, based on your experience and/or your company’s services, you can probably get a good half-dozen or so pieces out of this one thought experiment.
  4. Branding is what it’s all about, right? Analyze the role of branding in modern businesses and discuss how it can influence consumer behavior. Keep in mind that these days, branding is both personal and professional–for companies, products, and employees. For example, how does branding affect a product launch and an influencer? For more inspiration, check out the Mandel Marketing brief guide to building a brand.
  5. Analyze the importance of market research in effective marketing and discuss the various methods and tools that can be used to gather insights about target audiences.
  6. Write about the role of customer experience in marketing and discuss the strategies that brands can use to create positive and memorable experiences for consumers.

  7. Explore the best practices for writing SEO-friendly content, from keyword research to meta descriptions. Share examples of successful SEO writing and provide practical tips for writers looking to optimize their content for search engines.

4 Writing Prompts for Startups and Entrepreneurs

  1. Explore the importance of a strong mission statement for startups and how to craft one that resonates with your target audience. Share examples of successful mission statements and provide tips for entrepreneurs who are struggling to define their purpose.
  2. Take your readers through the step-by-step process of building a minimum viable product (MVP), including ideation, market research, prototyping, and testing. Share examples of successful MVP launches and provide practical advice for entrepreneurs looking to build their own MVPs and go from idea to launch.
  3. Write about the challenges and opportunities of scaling a startup, including hiring, fundraising, and product development. Share success stories of startups that have successfully scaled and provide insights into the strategies and tactics that helped them achieve growth.
  4. For many startups, navigating the complex regulatory landscape can be a daunting task. Discuss the various regulations and compliance requirements that startups need to be aware of, from data privacy laws to industry-specific regulations. Provide practical advice for startups looking to stay compliant while still innovating and growing their business.

3 Web Development and Web Design Writing Prompts

  1. Discuss the future of web development and what to watch across the industry. Explore the latest emerging trends and technologies shaping the world of web development, from artificial intelligence and voice assistants to progressive web apps and the Internet of Things. Share examples of successful implementation of these emerging technologies and provide practical advice for web developers looking to stay ahead of the curve.
  2. Web accessibility is becoming increasingly important as more and more people rely on digital devices to access information and services. Write about some of the best practices for inclusive web design, including considerations for users with disabilities and diverse backgrounds. Share examples of successful accessible websites and provide practical tips for web developers looking to make their websites more inclusive.
  3. How can your audience optimize website performance? Website speed is a critical factor in user experience and search engine rankings, so try to explore the strategies and best practices for optimizing website performance, from reducing image size and leveraging caching to minifying code and implementing CDNs. Share examples of successful website optimization and provide practical advice for web developers looking to improve the speed and user experience of their websites.

5 General and Personal Nonfiction Writing Prompts

  1. Write about a personal experience that taught you an important life lesson, such as a personal challenge you overcame. Dig deep, think hard. You could probably write at least five of these–or more, depending on how old you are.
  2. Write about a place that holds special meaning to you, using vivid sensory details to transport your reader there with you. This could be your childhood home, your college dorm, your first apartment, or the home in which you raised your family. It could be your office or a great vacation. Maybe there have been several places like this in your life.
  3. Reflect on a current event or social issue in your community or country that you feel strongly about, exploring its complexity and discussing potential solutions or actions that can be taken to address it.
  4. Describe a historical event or period and analyze its impact on the world today. Try to pick something that hasn’t already been written about five thousand times.
  5. Write a biography of a famous person or influential figure, focusing on their achievements and challenges. Again, try to pick someone that hasn’t been covered a million times already. If they’re still alive, try to get an interview!

Take Your Time and Have Fun

If you’re not a writer by trade, then some of these business writing prompts might prove a bit difficult. That’s okay. Take your time with it, and don’t forget to try to enjoy the writing process. Otherwise, it might be time to hire professionals–like Mandel Marketing! We specialize in copywriting and content marketing across tons of different categories. Reach out to us today, or schedule a free consultation.

Already wrote a book and don’t know what to do with it, or looking to write a book based on your vast wealth of knowledge and experience? Read our guide to writing a book, or take a look at Phillip Scott Mandel’s book on business writing, An MFA For Your MBA.