Writing a headline that stops someone in their tracks is hard. Really hard.
Most business owners spend hours agonizing over the perfect headline, only to end up with something generic like “Professional Tax Services” that nobody remembers.
During our AI for Business training, copywriter Donovan Rittenbach demonstrated a faster way—and it starts with teaching AI to think like a copywriter.
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First: Assign AI a Role
Instead of asking AI to “write a headline,” Donovan starts by assigning it a specific role:
“You are a professional copywriter who writes really good headlines.”
This simple context shift changes everything. Now, instead of getting generic output, you’re getting copy from a specific perspective.
Next: Train It on What Makes Headlines Work
Before asking for headlines, Donovan asks AI to explain what makes a headline irresistible. This creates a mini-training session where the AI becomes an expert on your specific need.
Here’s what AI identified as core qualities of headlines you can’t resist:
Directly name their fear. Don’t dance around it. Call out the IRS, audits, penalties, mistakes—whatever keeps them up at night.
Promise relief from pain. Show them there’s a way out.
Speak to their secret shame. What are they embarrassed about? Address it.
Be conversational, not corporate. Sound like a human, not a press release.
Lead with worst-case scenarios they’re imagining. “Stop losing sleep over IRS mistakes” hits harder than “Professional tax preparation.”
Make one clear promise. Don’t try to say everything in one headline.
Use pattern interrupts. Break the expected format to grab attention.
Then: Give Specific Context
Here’s where most people go wrong with AI. They ask for generic output and get generic results.
Instead, Donovan provided crystal-clear context:
“I am a sole proprietor who is doing this to get new clients. I just need them to stop and call me. I’m putting this on a postcard.”
Suddenly, AI knows:
- Who you are (sole proprietor)
- Your goal (get new clients to call)
- The medium (postcard)
- The constraint (limited space)
Finally: Ask for Options
“Give me 10 headlines that are no longer than 10 words.”
Within seconds, AI generated 10 different headlines. Each one followed the principles it just learned. Each one was under 10 words. Even groovier, each one spoke directly to the pain point.
For you to come up with 10 solid headline options? That would take hours.
AI knocked it out instantly.
The Real Skill: Knowing What to Ask For
Notice what Donovan did here. He didn’t just say “write me a headline.”
Instead, he:
- Assigned a role (professional copywriter)
- Asked for the principles first (training the AI)
- Gave specific context (sole proprietor, postcard, need calls)
- Set clear parameters (10 options, max 10 words)
The result? Professional-quality headlines without the professional-level time investment.
As a result, you get options to choose from, test, and refine. Meanwhile, the AI has now learned what you’re looking for, so you can continue the conversation and make the headlines even better.
Why This Approach Works
When you train AI on principles first, it understands the “why” behind what you’re asking for. Therefore, the output isn’t just random words—it’s strategic copy based on proven frameworks.
Plus, by giving it specific constraints (10 words, postcard format), you force it to be concise and punchy. Generic requests get generic results. Specific requests get usable copy.
Ultimately, the quality of your question determines the quality of your answer.
Ready to master AI for your business?
This is just one insight from our complete AI for Business training with Donovan Rittenbach. Watch the full 51-minute session where he demonstrates live examples of writing sales copy, conducting customer research, and using AI as your “third brain” for real business results.
Watch the full AI for Business training here
Stay Groovy!
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