What is the Playoff Prompt Technique? (Includes 5 Easy Prompts)

The Playoff Prompt Technique helps you get better ideas from AI like ChatGPT. 

Instead of asking for just one answer, you ask for two ideas and compare them. 

This lets you combine or improve the ideas to create a stronger result. 

In this article, we’ll explain how it works and give you 5 easy prompts to try.

ALSO READ: Chain Of Thought vs Playoff Prompts Which is More Effective

What is the Playoff Prompt Technique?

The Playoff Prompt Technique is a simple way to get more creative answers from AI like ChatGPT. 

Instead of asking for one solution, you ask the AI to give you two competing ideas or options. 

You then compare these ideas, find what’s good in each, and combine or improve them to create a stronger solution.

This technique works because it pushes the AI to explore different possibilities and go beyond basic answers. 

By having two ideas "compete," you end up with more refined, thoughtful responses. 

Whether you’re brainstorming for a business, creating content, or thinking through strategies, the Playoff Prompt Technique helps you get better, more useful ideas.

Why the Playoff Prompt Technique Works

The Playoff Prompt Technique works well because it pushes the AI to be more creative and thoughtful. Instead of getting just one basic idea, you ask for two competing ideas. 

By comparing and refining these ideas, you get a better result.

Here’s why it’s effective:

Encourages Creativity: The AI has to come up with two different ideas, which often leads to more creative solutions.

Improves Results: Comparing ideas helps you spot what’s good or missing, making the final idea stronger.

Saves Time: It’s a fast way to generate and refine ideas without starting over every time.

Even if you're working on product ideas, business strategies, or marketing plans, this method helps you dig deeper and get more useful responses.

How to Write an Effective Playoff Prompt

Writing a detailed Playoff Prompt helps the AI generate, compare, and refine ideas until you arrive at the best possible solution.

Follow these steps to create an effective prompt:

1. Start with a Clear, Specific Task or Question  

Clearly define what you need the AI to help with.

The more specific your task or question, the better the responses.  

Example: What are the best marketing strategies for launching my app?

2. Ask for Two or More Ideas

Instead of limiting the AI to just two ideas, ask it to generate multiple (2, 3, or more) options to compare.

This broadens the range of ideas and gives you more to work with.  

Example: “Give me three different marketing strategies for my app launch.”

3. Specify Key Information for Consideration

Guide the AI by telling it what factors are most important for the comparison.

These could be things like cost, time, target audience, potential return on investment (ROI), or scalability.

This helps the AI generate responses that are more relevant to your needs.  

Example: “Compare the strategies based on cost, engagement potential, and speed to implement.”

4. Ask the AI to Compare and Choose the Best Option  

Once the AI has generated multiple ideas, instruct it to compare the options based on the criteria you provided.

Make sure it selects the best one and explains why it’s the strongest choice.  

Example: “Pick the best strategy and explain why it’s better than the others based on the criteria.”

5. Request Refinement of the Best Idea  

After the AI has chosen the best option, ask it to refine and improve the idea.

This step ensures the idea is as strong as possible, with added details or enhancements to make it more effective.  

Example: Now, refine the chosen strategy to maximize its impact and effectiveness.”

By following these steps, you’ll guide the AI to not only compare ideas but also refine them.

Taking important factors into account to provide a solution that best fits your needs.

Use Case 1: Creating a New Digital Product

The Playoff Prompt Technique is an excellent way to develop new digital product ideas by generating and refining multiple concepts. 

You can use this technique to come up with automation templates for a platform like Make.com.

Playoff Prompts Example:

Create 20 product ideas for 'AI Automation Templates for Make.com.' For each pair, compare the ideas based on target audience, usefulness, and ease of implementation. Narrow it down to 10. Refine the top 10 based on potential demand and functionality, and reduce it to the top 3. Finally, pick the best product idea based on its market appeal and ability to provide immediate value. Explain why the final idea is the best choice.

Here’s how the process might look:

1. Step 1 – 20 Product Ideas:

The AI generates 20 product ideas, such as:

Automated Email Lead Scoring System, Social Media Content Scheduler with AI Recommendations, AI-powered Customer Support Chatbot Integration

(And so on, until you have 20 ideas.)

2. Step 2 – Compare 10 Pairs:

The AI pairs the ideas, like:

Content creation automation vs. Social media scheduling automation

Email marketing workflows vs. Task automation for project management

(And so on, with 10 pairs total.) The AI compares each pair and selects the stronger idea.

3. Step 3 – Compare the 5 Final Pairs: 

The AI takes the 10 winners and pairs them again:

Content creation automation vs. Task automation for project management

Social media scheduling vs. Email marketing workflows

(And so on.) It compares each pair and picks the stronger product idea.

4. Step 4 – The Final Product Idea:

The AI compares the remaining 5 ideas and chooses the best one.

In these case the Social Media Content Scheduler with AI Recommendations wins for its combination of practicality, ease of use, and broad appeal.

It meets a pressing need, ensuring both relevance and strong adoption potential.

Use Case 2: Evaluating a New Business Idea

The Playoff Prompt Technique is also useful for evaluating and refining business ideas. 

Here’s how you can apply it to an Educational AI Course Platform.

Playoff Prompt Example:

Generate 20 business ideas for an 'Educational AI Course Platform.' Compare each pair based on revenue potential, scalability, and market demand. Narrow it down to 10. Refine the top 10 by considering cost-efficiency and sustainability, reducing it to 3 finalists. Choose the best business idea based on long-term growth and market readiness, and explain why it’s the best option.

Here’s how the process might look:

1. Step 1 – 20 Business Ideas:

The AI generates 20 different business ideas, such as:

An AI course platform focused on coding.

A platform teaching AI for creative writing.

AI and Data Science Bootcamps.

A platform offering AI-based project management training.

An AI course for digital marketing skills.

(And so on, until you have 20 business ideas.)

2. Step 2 – Compare 10 Pairs:

The AI pairs these business ideas:

AI course on coding vs. AI course on digital marketing 

AI project management training vs. AI for creative writing

(And so on, with 10 pairs in total.) The AI compares each idea pair based on growth potential and market fit.

3. Step 3 – Compare the 5 Final Pairs:

The AI takes the 10 winners and pairs them again:

AI course on coding vs. AI project management training

AI course on digital marketing vs. AI for creative writing

(And so on.) The AI refines the business ideas further, focusing on cost and sustainability.

4. Step 4 – The Final Business Idea:

The AI compares the last 5 ideas and selects the strongest.

In this case, the AI and Data Science Bootcamps business idea wins for its ability to tap into a growing market, scale efficiently, and sustain long-term relevance, making it the most promising option for your educational AI course platform.

Use Case 3: Developing a Low-Budget Marketing Strategy

The Playoff Prompt Technique is great for creating a low-budget marketing strategy. 

You can generate many ideas, compare them, and end up with the best plan for your needs. 

Here’s how you can apply it to a marketing strategy focused on Twitter giveaways for digital products.

Playoff Prompt Example:

Create 20 low-budget marketing strategies for promoting digital products using Twitter giveaways. For each pair, compare them based on cost, potential engagement, and ease of execution. Narrow it down to 10. For the top 10, refine the strategies based on how viral they could become and the type of audience they would attract. Pick the top 3, and then choose the final strategy based on its ability to drive immediate results and long-term brand visibility. Explain why the final strategy is the most effective for a limited budget.

Here’s how the process might look:

1. Step 1 – 20 Marketing Ideas:

The AI generates 20 different low-budget strategies, such as:

Offering a free digital product to the first 50 people who retweet your post.

Creating a Twitter poll where the winner gets a digital product.

Running a 24-hour giveaway where people follow and tag a friend to enter.

Offering bonus entries for each referral in a giveaway.

(And so on, until you have 20 ideas.)

2. Step 2 – Compare 10 Pairs:

The AI pairs these strategies:

Retweet for a free product vs. Twitter poll giveaway

24-hour giveaway vs. Bonus entries for referrals

(And so on, with 10 pairs total.)

The AI compares each pair, explaining the pros and cons, and selects the stronger one.

3. Step 3 – Compare the 5 Final Pairs:

The AI takes the 10 winners and pairs them again:

Retweet for a free product vs. 24-hour giveaway

Bonus entries for referrals vs. Twitter poll giveaway

(And so on.)

It compares the new pairs and picks the most effective strategy from each.

4. Step 4 – The Final Marketing Strategy:

Finally, the AI compares the last 5 strategies and chooses the best one.

In this case, the Tag-a-Friend Giveaway strategy wins for its ability to provide both immediate engagement and sustainable growth.

It’s cost-effective, easy to implement, and highly scalable, making it the most effective strategy for a limited budget.

By using the Playoff Prompt Technique, you can quickly narrow down multiple marketing ideas into the best, most cost-effective strategy, perfect for promoting your digital products on Twitter.

Use Case 4: Choosing the Right Marketing Channels

The Playoff Prompt Technique can also help you choose the best marketing channels for your product launch. 

You can compare different platforms and select the one that best fits your needs.

Playoff Prompt Example:

Suggest 20 marketing channels for promoting a new digital product. Compare each pair based on their audience demographics, potential reach, and cost-efficiency. Narrow it down to 10. Refine the remaining 10 channels based on engagement rates, suitability for the type of content, and alignment with your target audience. From the top 3, choose the best channel based on the ability to maximize conversions and long-term customer acquisition. Explain why the final choice is the most effective.

Here’s how the process might look:

1. Step 1 – 20 Marketing Channels:

The AI generates 20 different platforms, such as:

Instagram

Twitter

LinkedIn

Facebook

YouTube

TikTok

(And so on, until you have 20 channels.)

2. Step 2 – Compare 10 Pairs:

The AI pairs these platforms:

Instagram vs. Twitter

LinkedIn vs. YouTube

Facebook vs. TikTok

(And so on, with 10 pairs total.)

The AI compares each based on potential reach, audience engagement, and cost.

3. Step 3 – Compare the 5 Final Pairs:

The AI takes the 10 winners and pairs them again:

Instagram vs. YouTube

Twitter vs. LinkedIn

(And so on.)

The AI compares the remaining platforms, focusing on engagement rates and the suitability of the content.

4. Step 4 – The Final Marketing Channel:

The AI compares the last 5 platforms and picks the most effective one.

For instance, the YouTube Advertising is the most effective channel because it combines the power of visual storytelling with precise targeting, scalability, and high engagement.

It offers both immediate impact and lasting influence through evergreen content, making it the best choice for promoting a digital product on a limited budget.

Five Easy Playoff Prompts You Can Try Today

The Playoff Prompt Technique is versatile and can be applied to many different situations. 

Below are five simple Playoff Prompts you can use right away to improve your idea generation and decision-making process:

1. For Blog Post Ideas:

Playoff Prompt:

Suggest 15 blog post ideas about [Niche]. Pair them into 7 groups of 2, with one idea left over. For each pair, compare them based on uniqueness, potential for engagement, and relevance to current trends. Narrow them down to the top 4 ideas. For the final 4, refine each idea to make it more actionable and attention-grabbing. Choose the best blog post idea and explain why it will attract the most readers.

This prompt helps you not only choose an engaging blog post idea but also ensures it's up-to-date and relevant to current AI discussions.

2. For Product Launch Strategies:

Playoff Prompt:

Generate 12 strategies for launching a new (product name). Pair them into 6 groups and compare each strategy based on cost-effectiveness, potential reach, and the ability to create excitement. Narrow the ideas down to 5. For the top 5 strategies, refine each one by adding influencer marketing, social proof, or partnerships. Choose the best launch strategy and explain why it will create the biggest impact with the least resources."

This prompt helps refine your product launch strategy, making sure it’s efficient while maximizing impact.

3. For Email Subject Lines:

Playoff Prompt:

Suggest 15 email subject lines for [product] launch campaign. Compare them in 7 groups of 2, with one left. Analyze each pair based on their ability to spark curiosity, urgency, and personalization. Narrow them down to 6. For the top 6, refine the subject lines by adding personalization elements like names, dynamic offers, or countdown timers. Choose the final subject line that will likely generate the highest open rate and explain why it stands out."

This prompt helps you pick an email subject line that grabs attention and boosts open rates through personalization and urgency.

4. For Social Media Content:

Playoff Prompt:

Generate 12 (social media platform) ideas for (task). Pair the ideas into 6 groups and compare each based on their potential for engagement, shareability, and visual appeal. 

Narrow it down to 4. For the final 4, refine the post ideas by incorporating user-generated content, polls, or contests to boost interaction. 

Choose the best post idea and explain why it will generate the most engagement and shares."

This prompt helps you refine your social media content strategy by focusing on engagement, viral potential, and interaction.

5. For Website Design:

Propose 10 landing page design concepts for [website niche]. Pair the designs into 5 groups and compare them based on user experience, visual appeal, and conversion potential. Narrow the ideas down to 3. For the top 3 designs, refine them by optimizing load time, call-to-action placement, and mobile responsiveness. Choose the best landing page design and explain why it will convert visitors into customers most effectively."

This prompt helps web developers and marketers decide on a design that balances aesthetics with strong conversion potential.

Pros and Cons of the Playoff Prompt Technique

The Playoff Prompt Technique offers several advantages, but like any method, it also has a few limitations. Here's a breakdown of its pros and cons to give you a full picture of how it works:

Pros:

1. Encourages Creativity

By asking the AI for two competing ideas, you're prompting it to think beyond the obvious solutions. This approach often leads to more creative, innovative ideas that wouldn’t come up with a single prompt.

2. Improves Results Through Refinement

The Playoff Prompt Technique allows you to compare two ideas, identify the strengths and weaknesses of each, and then refine or combine them into a much stronger final result. It pushes the AI to produce more thoughtful responses by evaluating multiple options.

3. Saves Time

While it may seem like comparing ideas adds extra steps, it actually saves time. Instead of re-prompting or starting from scratch when an AI response isn’t quite right, you can quickly refine your ideas and arrive at a useful solution more efficiently.

4. Broad Applications Across Various Fields

Whether you're brainstorming business ideas, marketing strategies, or creating new products, the Playoff Prompt Technique is versatile and can be used in different industries and situations.

Cons:

1. Can Feel Repetitive

Constantly asking for competing ideas and comparisons may feel repetitive, especially if the AI produces similar suggestions. If you're not careful with how you word the prompts, it could become tedious.

2. Requires a Bit More Input

The Playoff Prompt Technique needs more input compared to simpler one-shot prompts. You’ll need to give clear instructions to ensure the AI provides varied ideas, and you may need to guide it in refining or combining the ideas.

3. Not Ideal for Quick, One-Off Solutions

If you’re looking for a quick, simple solution to a problem, the Playoff Prompt Technique may feel like overkill. It’s designed for more complex, creative tasks that require multiple options and deeper thinking.

4. Quality Depends on the Initial Prompts

The quality of the output still depends on how well the initial prompt is framed. If the two ideas generated aren’t strong, the final result might still require more refining, which could extend the process longer than expected.

Conclusion: Why You Should Try the Playoff Prompt Technique

The Playoff Prompt Technique is a powerful tool for anyone looking to get more creative, thoughtful, and refined ideas from AI.

Instead of settling for one basic response, you can compare multiple ideas and refine them until you get the best possible outcome.

This technique saves time, pushes AI to think deeper, and delivers better results—whether you’re working on a new product, business strategy, or marketing campaign.

By simply asking the AI to generate and compare ideas, you’re not just getting the first answer it comes up with, but instead finding the most useful solution for your needs.

The Playoff Prompt Technique works for all kinds of projects, big or small, and it’s easy to start using right away.