ICP Analysis ChatGPT Prompt
Instructions
Copy/paste entire prompt in red below into ChatGPT
Update bold text to match your domain, genius zone, and three identified ICPs for analysis
Ensure model is set to ChatGPT O1
Press Enter
Use output as a starting point for ICP selection
Feel free to ask any follow-up questions or add additional ICPs
Validate output and recommendations with independent research and market discovery conversations
Prompt:
I'm a solo consultant with expertise in data analysis and storytelling. I'm working to establish my positioning and offering.
My Genius Zone: I make sense of unruly amounts of data and can suss out the strategic narrative and paths forward that no one else can see.
I'm currently considering the following client profiles (ICPs):
1. Early-stage tech companies swarmed with new user data
2. Online brands hitting unexplained growth plateaus
3. Non-profits seeking to understand their donor base and trends
Can you help me decide by analyzing those ICPs against the criteria:
**Access**
- Are there groups/orgs that amass this type of client (associations, conferences, online communities)
- Are there channels that would enable you to speak to this audience regularly and at scale (e.g., not manual 1:1 outreach)
**Problem**
- Is the ICP’s problem predictable, urgent and expensive?
- Is the ICP’s problem typically something that cannot be solved in-house?
- Is there harm caused by inaction?
**Impact**
- Is there a direct line from your transformation to client value?
- Is the client's value large enough to support a willingness to pay?
- Is that achievable client value from my help comparable or greater than their closest alternative?
Please assess each question under each of these factors for each ICP and include a ranked recommendation of the most viable ICP.
Sample output
Your output may vary in structure and format.
That is the nature of AI/LLM tools.
The output below was returned using ChatGPT model O1 in January 2025
Below is an assessment of each potential ICP (Ideal Client Profile) against the three main criteria: Access, Problem, and Impact. After the analysis, you’ll find a ranked recommendation based on the viability of each ICP.
1. Early-Stage Tech Companies Swarmed with New User Data
Access
• Groups/Orgs: There are plenty of incubators, accelerators, and VC networks that corral early-stage tech startups. Conferences like TechCrunch Disrupt, Y Combinator Demo Days, and local tech meetups are prime aggregators.
• Channels: You could speak at startup events or online forums (e.g., Indie Hackers, YC forums, Slack groups for founders). Participation in these communities can be scaled beyond 1:1 if you create content or resources specifically for these audiences (e.g., “How to interpret user data for go-to-market strategies”).
Problem
• Predictable, Urgent, Expensive: Yes, if they’re truly “swarmed” with data, they may be losing clarity about their next strategic moves. It’s predictable because as soon as they start acquiring users, the volume of data spikes. It’s urgent if they need to prove traction to investors (or secure the next funding round). The cost can be felt in slowed growth, lost investor confidence, or building the wrong features.
• Solved In-House? Usually, early-stage companies are strapped for specialized analytics resources. They might have a generalist data person, but not someone who can craft a clear strategic narrative out of large data sets. They often “try” to solve it in-house but lack the senior perspective or time.
• Harm from Inaction: High. Delayed or misguided product/marketing decisions can waste money, erode investor confidence, and allow competitors to jump ahead.
Impact
• Direct Line to Value: If you can distill the data into a strategic narrative and help them prioritize product features or go-to-market strategies, you’re providing immediate direction for growth and investor pitches—very tangible.
• Client’s Value Large Enough to Pay? Early-stage budgets can be tight. However, many are fueled by seed/Series A funding and are willing to invest in experts if the ROI is clear and helps them grow or achieve key milestones.
• Comparable/Greater Than Alternative: The alternative is often a full-time data scientist or a costly BI solution. You offer a combination of data analysis and storytelling/strategy—a rare combo. This can be more cost-effective and nimble than a full hire or big consulting firm.
Overall: Access to early-stage tech can be easier if you plug into the right communities. The problem is clear, urgent, and can be quite expensive. Their budgets, however, can be hit or miss: some have the funding to pay, some won’t. But the impact you can make is significant.
2. Online Brands Hitting Unexplained Growth Plateaus
Access
• Groups/Orgs: Many eCommerce or DTC (direct-to-consumer) associations and conferences exist (e.g., CommerceNext, IRCE, retail-specific associations). Also, aggregator platforms and apps (like Shopify networks, eCommerce cohorts) can group these businesses.
• Channels: Industry newsletters, LinkedIn groups, eCommerce podcasts, and even influencer marketing spaces might let you reach them broadly. Guest blogging on eCommerce or digital marketing sites could also be a scalable channel.
Problem
• Predictable, Urgent, Expensive: Growth plateaus are common. When they happen, it can be urgent because brand growth can stall and revenues stagnate. It’s “expensive” in that it threatens top-line revenue.
• Solved In-House? Larger or more established online brands might have analytics or marketing teams who try to fix plateaus themselves. Smaller ones might not have robust data analysis capabilities. So it’s a mixed bag—some will look externally for a more in-depth analysis.
• Harm from Inaction: Definitely can cause harm—stalling or declining sales, potential layoffs, or missing out on new market opportunities.
Impact
• Direct Line to Value: By identifying what’s causing stagnation (e.g., churn patterns, unoptimized marketing funnels, shifting customer segments) and then pinpointing next steps, you can directly impact revenue growth.
• Client’s Value Large Enough to Pay? If you can show potential to break through a plateau and reignite growth, that’s extremely valuable. Mid-sized or larger eCommerce brands likely have the budget for outside expertise.
• Comparable/Greater Than Alternative: Many will think of hiring digital marketing consultants or SEO experts. Your edge is your ability to dissect large amounts of data and translate insights into a strategic story—bigger than just SEO or marketing; it’s about entire user behavior. That differentiation can stand out against typical solutions.
Overall: Access can be somewhat straightforward if you leverage the right eCommerce communities. The problem is fairly predictable and can be quite urgent. This ICP usually has money to invest if they see a path to renewed growth.
3. Non-Profits Seeking to Understand Donor Base and Trends
Access
• Groups/Orgs: Non-profit associations like the National Council of Nonprofits, AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals), and various philanthropic conferences exist. Also, many have listservs, Slack communities, and membership bodies.
• Channels: Presenting at philanthropic or fundraising conferences, guest speaking at AFP chapters, or writing thought leadership pieces in philanthropic trade publications could provide scale.
Problem
• Predictable, Urgent, Expensive: Understanding donor trends is somewhat predictable (most non-profits are data-tracking savvy, but often with limited analytics expertise). Urgency depends on funding cycles or capital campaigns. It’s “expensive” in the sense that missing the mark on donor engagement can hurt operating budgets.
• Solved In-House? Many non-profits have development teams, but advanced analytics/storytelling capabilities are often lacking, or they’re stuck in outdated CRM practices. They might attempt it in-house, but typically it’s not their specialty.
• Harm from Inaction: Could mean missed donations, donor attrition, and the inability to secure new funding. This certainly harms the organization’s mission.
Impact
• Direct Line to Value: Translating donor data into insights that boost fundraising strategies is a direct revenue (donation) impact. It also impacts the mission—helping them raise more.
• Client’s Value Large Enough to Pay? Non-profits vary widely in budget. Large ones (think major universities, hospitals, or globally recognized charities) likely have sizable budgets. Smaller or mid-sized ones might have less capacity for big consulting fees. They may be more price sensitive or reliant on grants.
• Comparable/Greater Than Alternative: Many non-profits turn to specialized fundraising consultancies or go with internal staff. Your unique angle of deep data analysis + strategic narrative can be compelling, but it may still be viewed as a “nice to have” unless you position it as a direct revenue enabler.
Overall: Access is through formal associations, but converting them to paying clients can sometimes take longer—non-profits can have lengthy approval processes and budget constraints. The value of your help is high if you partner with the right size or type of non-profit.
Recommendation and Ranking
1. Online Brands Hitting Unexplained Growth Plateaus
• Why #1: They have clearer budgets to pay, a compelling and clearly urgent problem (growth stall equals lost revenue), and straightforward access via eCommerce groups. Data-driven strategy is more obviously linked to revenue, making it easier to justify your fees.
2. Early-Stage Tech Companies Swarmed with Data
• Why #2: The impact you provide can be huge, especially when they have investor money and a need to show traction. However, funding can be inconsistent and some founders may prefer to piece together solutions themselves. If you get in with the right network (accelerators, VCs), you can secure a steady stream of projects.
3. Non-Profits Seeking Donor Insights
• Why #3: Access is possible, and the impact of your work can be very meaningful. But they are often more price-sensitive and have more complicated decision-making/budget approval cycles. There is a viable angle here if you focus on non-profits with larger budgets (and bigger data sets).
Final Thoughts
• Online Brands (Growth Plateaus) offer a stronger balance of consistent budget, urgent needs, and widespread communities to tap into.
• Early-Stage Tech is a close second if you can carve out a strong network (accelerators/VCs) to mitigate the risk of unpredictable budgets.
• Non-Profits may be a future niche or an add-on if you have strong mission alignment, but probably not your top immediate revenue driver without a very strategic approach.