The "What If" Prompt Framework: Authority Guides on Autopilot
Use 5 Strategic AI Prompts to Structure High-Converting Tutorials.
Hey there!
Tired of staring at a blank screen, knowing you need a viral guide but having zero direction? You’re not alone. Every entrepreneur, pro, and content creator struggles with generating magnetic, actionable content that keeps readers glued to the screen. High-quality, step-by-step guides are your golden ticket, they establish authority and drive serious engagement.
The problem is, building a compelling narrative and a logical sequence takes time. Weeks, sometimes. What if you could build a complete, ready-to-publish guide in under 15 minutes?
This article hands you the “What If?” Storytelling Framework - a tactical, 5-prompt sequence designed to use AI not just for writing, but for thinking. You’re about to learn how to rapidly prototype a guide from a simple concept to a polished final draft. Grab-and-go prompts start right now.
Why This Matters Now
Attention spans are shorter than ever. Your audience doesn’t want fluff; they want a blueprint. This framework forces the AI to build a guide the way a master storyteller would: by identifying a core struggle, framing a transformative “what if” solution, and mapping the steps. This process generates guides that sell faster than your current workflow. We’re moving from basic outlines to narrative-driven authority content in a flash.
Phase 1: Foundation & Framing
Let’s kick off by establishing the core emotional hook and the big payoff for your guide.
Prompt #1: Identify the Core Struggle (The “Before” State)
What it does: Isolates the most painful problem and the reader’s current, ineffective solution. When to use it: First, to anchor your guide in a deep, relatable pain point.
The Prompt: I am writing a step-by-step guide for [TARGET AUDIENCE]. The guide will solve the problem of [SPECIFIC PROBLEM]. In a single, vivid paragraph, describe the reader’s current frustrating situation and their typical, failed attempt to fix it. Focus on the emotional cost.
How to use it:
Define your target and problem clearly in the placeholders.
Review the output for emotional resonance; it must feel real.
Save the result as your guide’s introduction.
Example input: I am writing a step-by-step guide for Small Business Owners. The guide will solve the problem of inconsistent weekly sales leads. In a single, vivid paragraph, describe the reader’s current frustrating situation and their typical, failed attempt to fix it. Focus on the emotional cost.
What you’ll get: A punchy, relatable paragraph ready for your article’s opening. Pro tip: Use the strongest verb the AI generates to headline your guide.
Prompt #2: The “What If” Story Frame
What it does: Creates the narrative arc by introducing the guide’s core solution as a hypothetical future. When to use it: Immediately after the core struggle, to provide hope and promise the breakthrough.
The Prompt: Based on the ‘Before State’ you just created, write a three-sentence transition that starts with “What if...”. The first sentence must be the “What If,” the second must promise a specific, measurable outcome, and the third must introduce the guide’s specific framework: The [YOUR GUIDE FRAMEWORK NAME] method.
How to use it:
Input your desired framework name (e.g., The 3-Step Lead Flow).
Check the second sentence for a tangible benefit (e.g., “double your leads in 48 hours”).
Combine this with Prompt #1’s output for a strong article hook.
Example input: Based on the ‘Before State’ you just created, write a three-sentence transition that starts with “What if...”. The first sentence must be the “What If,” the second must promise a specific, measurable outcome, and the third must introduce the guide’s specific framework: The Automated Authority Loop method.
What you’ll get: A powerful transition that converts reader frustration into forward momentum. Pro tip: This “What If” sentence is often perfect for a social media post promoting the guide.
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You just got 2 foundational prompts that establish a powerful, narrative-driven hook for any guide.
But you’re still facing the biggest hurdle: turning that concept into concrete, step-by-step instructions. A great hook with weak steps is just clickbait!
The next 3 more advanced prompts handle the critical sequence:
Mapping the High-Level Blueprint: Instantly creating the 5-7 core steps.
Drilling Down on Action: Getting the granular, ‘do this now’ tasks for each step.
Crafting the Guide’s Conclusion: Building a perfect call-to-action that sells your next thing.