Maximizing ChatGPT's Deep Research: The "Idea Outline Analysis" Prompt for Entrepreneurs

With ChatGPT Plus now offering deep research capabilities, entrepreneurs have a powerful new tool at their disposal. However, with only 10 deep research queries available per month, each prompt needs to deliver maximum value.

At Ed Grants, we've developed and refined a series of high-impact deep research prompts specifically for entrepreneurs. Today, we're sharing our "Idea Outline Analysis" prompt – a comprehensive template that systematically examines business ideas through five critical dimensions.

Why This Prompt Matters

Most entrepreneurs approach AI research with vague instructions, receiving equally vague results. Our "Idea Outline Analysis" prompt is designed to extract specific, actionable intelligence that directly informs business decisions and funding applications.

The deep research feature in ChatGPT Plus is particularly valuable because it:

• Conducts more thorough research than standard queries

• Explores multiple credible sources

• Provides detailed reasoning and methodology

• Generates comprehensive reports with proper citations

The Prompt Structure

Our "Idea Outline Analysis" prompt is a comprehensive intelligence-gathering framework that transforms a business concept into actionable insights through five critical dimensions. In a single deep research query, it calculates your true market size using bottom-up TAM formulas with transparent assumptions; segments your target audience across demographic, behavioral, and psychographic factors to focus your marketing efforts; maps your current competitive landscape with detailed metrics on each player's strengths and weaknesses; identifies emerging competitors and market trends that could disrupt your business model; and validates customer pain points through industry research, statistical evidence, and expert opinions—all delivered with proper citations, methodological transparency, and strategic recommendations that would typically require engaging multiple research consultants or spending weeks scouring industry reports.

Implementation Guidelines

To get the most from this prompt:

1. Prepare Your Idea Outline First: Have a clear description of your business concept ready before using the prompt.

2. Be Specific About Your Industry: Add details about your specific market to help the AI focus its research.

3. Allocate Sufficient Time: Deep research queries take longer to process (sometimes 15-20 minutes) but deliver far more comprehensive results.

4. Review and Follow Up: Use the initial research as a foundation, then create follow-up queries for areas needing more detail.

   
   

The Complete Prompt Template

Here's the full "Idea Outline Analysis" prompt template we use with our clients:

**[OpenAI Deep Research Prompt: Idea Outline Analysis]**

**Objective:**  
Using the [outline of the idea] provided in a paramter, conduct deep research to address the following:

- **TAM Estimation:**  
  - Calculate the Total Addressable Market (TAM) using a bottom-up approach, including at least two optional formulas for calculation.
  
- **Target Audience Segmentation:**  
  - Segment the potential market into clearly defined customer groups based on demographic, behavioral, and psychographic criteria.
  
- **Direct Competition:**  
  - Identify and analyze current competitors operating in the same space.
  
- **Future Competition:**  
  - Research emerging competitors or substitute solutions that could enter the market.
  
- **Corroborating Research on Need & Customer Pain:**  
  - Gather data, statistics, and qualitative insights that validate the need and highlight the customer pain points.

---

**Key Objectives:**

1. **Estimate TAM:**  
   - Develop a bottom-up calculation using clear, replicable formulas.
   - Provide context and assumptions behind each calculation.

2. **Segment Target Audience:**  
   - Identify key demographic and behavioral segments.
   - Explain the rationale behind the segmentation and its implications for market strategy.

3. **Analyze Direct Competition:**  
   - List the primary competitors with detailed metrics (market share, pricing, strengths, etc.).
   - Examine how these competitors currently address the customer pain points.

4. **Identify Future Competition:**  
   - Research potential market entrants and substitute solutions.
   - Discuss trends that may lead to shifts in competitive dynamics.

5. **Corroborate Customer Need & Pain:**  
   - Compile industry research, surveys, and market reports that validate the identified needs and pain points.
   - Include qualitative and quantitative evidence, such as customer testimonials and statistical data.

---

**Research Methods & Sources:**

- **Primary Sources:** Industry reports, academic journals, market research studies, official company data, and reputable news outlets.
- **Verification:** Cross-check all data points using multiple high-quality sources and include inline citations.
- **Data Recency:** Prioritize the most current data available to ensure relevance.

---

**Evaluation Criteria:**

- **Accuracy:** All calculations and segmentation must be based on verifiable data.
- **Clarity:** The final output should be well-organized and easy to follow.
- **Depth:** Provide comprehensive insights, ensuring that each section is backed by solid research.
- **Actionability:** Findings should directly support strategic decisions based on the outline provided.

---

**Expected Outcomes:**

1. **TAM Report:**  
   - A detailed bottom-up TAM estimation including at least two calculation methods with explanations.
   
2. **Segmentation Analysis:**  
   - A breakdown of the target audience into segments, with clear definitions and market implications.
   
3. **Competitive Landscape:**  
   - A list and analysis of direct competitors along with emerging future competition.
   
4. **Research Summary on Customer Pain:**  
   - A collection of corroborative research, data points, and industry quotes that affirm the customer need and pain.
   
5. **References:**  
   - A comprehensive list of sources and citations for all data points, figures, and quotes used.

---

**Workflow & Iterative Approach:**

1. **Initial Outline:**  
   - Begin with a high-level outline based on the provided idea.
   
2. **Research Phase:**  
   - Conduct detailed research for each section using the specified methods.
   - Verify all data with multiple sources and document assumptions.
   
3. **Draft Report:**  
   - Compile the research into the structured sections outlined above.
   - Use clear markdown formatting to separate sections.
   
4. **Review & Refine:**  
   - Revisit any ambiguous areas or data gaps.
   - Refine calculations and segmentation details as needed.
   
5. **Final Output:**  
   - Produce a comprehensive report that meets the evaluation criteria and provides actionable insights.

[outline of the idea] PASTE THE OUTLINE OF YOUR IDEA

Next Steps

This is just the first in our series of deep research prompts designed to unlock entrepreneurial innovation. In the coming weeks, we'll share specialized templates for:

• Competitor Benchmark Analysis

• Investor Deck Research

• Product Feature Prioritization

• Market Entry Strategy

• Investment Landscape Mapping

We hope this prompt serves as a catalyst for your most innovative ideas, helping you validate concepts efficiently and focus your creative energy where it matters most. Great innovation starts with great research, and now you have a powerful tool to illuminate the path forward.

Ed Grants specializes in leveraging AI to help startups secure non-dilutive funding for growth and innovation. Our AI-powered approach has helped companies secure millions in funding while saving countless hours in the application process.