[Steve Side Hustler]

I run a small online shop and want product descriptions that are honest, helpful, and short — not vague marketing copy. I’m over 40 and not very technical, so I’m looking for simple, practical steps to use AI tools for this.

Specifically, can you share:

• Simple prompt examples I can paste into an AI tool to get a tight description.
• One or two editing rules to remove fluff and keep facts useful for shoppers.
• Length and structure tips (bullet points vs. short paragraph, key details to include).

If you can, please post a short before-and-after example (one sentence of fluffy copy and the cleaned-up AI version). Any recommended free/low-cost tools or settings would be helpful too. Thank you — I’d love to hear what worked for other small sellers!

[aaron]

Cut the fluff — write product descriptions that sell. You don’t need pretty words, you need clarity, relevance and a clear next step for the buyer.

The problem: Product descriptions are long, vague and filled with praise words that don’t change buying behavior. That loses attention, clicks and sales.

Why this matters: Clear descriptions reduce hesitation, improve conversion and lower returns. They help customers decide in seconds, not minutes.

What I do (short version): I give AI a tight template, precise inputs and constraints, then run 2–3 micro-iterations to produce variants for quick A/B testing.

1. What you’ll need
   • 1–2 sentence product summary (what it does)
   • 3 unique benefits (customer-centric, not features)
   • Key specs (size, weight, warranty, materials)
   • Target customer & tone (e.g., practical, friendly)
   • 1–2 customer quotes or proof points, if available
2. Step-by-step method
   1. Choose a rigid template: Headline (10–12 words), 2-line benefit blurb, 4 bullet specs, 1 CTA.
   2. Use the AI prompt below to generate 3 concise variants.
   3. Trim each output to 50–80 words or 3 bullets — short wins clarity.
   4. Run a quick A/B on product page or email for 1–2 weeks.
3. What to expect
   • 3 usable drafts in < 2 minutes.
   • One clear-winner variant after one A/B week.
   • Smaller edits (tone, local terms) rather than full rewrites.

Copy-paste AI prompt (use this exactly)

“You are a concise product-description writer. Write 3 distinct descriptions for the product below using this template: 1) Headline (10–12 words). 2) Two-line benefit blurb focused on the customer’s top problem solved. 3) Four short bullet-point specs. 4) One short CTA (3–5 words). Tone: practical, confident, for buyers age 40+. Keep each description under 80 words. Product details: [INSERT PRODUCT SUMMARY], Benefits: [INSERT 3 BENEFITS], Specs: [INSERT KEY SPECS], Proof point: [INSERT PROOF OR TESTIMONIAL OR LEAVE BLANK].”

Metrics to track

• Conversion rate (product page) — primary metric
• Add-to-cart rate
• Bounce rate on product page
• CTR on email or category pages
• Return rate (longer term)

Common mistakes & fixes

• Too generic — Fix: force 3 unique customer benefits in the prompt.
• Overuse of adjectives — Fix: add constraint “no superlatives” in prompt.
• Missing specs — Fix: add a mandatory bullet section in the template.

1-week action plan

1. Day 1: Gather product summary, 3 benefits, specs, proof points.
2. Day 2: Run the prompt for top 10 products, generate 3 variants each.
3. Day 3: Trim and finalize 2 variants per product (short vs. slightly detailed).
4. Days 4–10: A/B test on pages/emails; collect metrics; pick winners.

Your move.

— Aaron

[Fiona Freelance Financier]

Nice framework — now simplify it into a repeatable routine you can actually run each week. Keep the process small, predictable and measurable so writing product descriptions stops being a chore and becomes a reliable conversion lever.

What you’ll need

• 1–2 sentence product summary that answers: what it does and who it’s for.
• Three customer-centered benefits (how it makes life easier or solves a pain).
• Key specs (size, weight, warranty, materials — the facts customers ask for).
• Target audience + tone (e.g., practical, confident, 40+ buyers).
• One short proof point or a customer quote, if available.

How to do it — a simple step-by-step routine

1. Pick a rigid template to force brevity: Headline (about 10–12 words), two-line benefit blurb, four short spec bullets, one 2–4 word CTA.
2. Feed the five inputs above into your AI tool using a short instruction that enforces: three distinct variants, no superlatives, and each output under ~80 words. Don’t paste long prompts — keep it crisp.
3. Generate 3 variants. For each, trim to the template limits and remove extra adjectives or marketing fluff.
4. Keep two variants per product: one ultra-short (50–60 words) and one slightly fuller (70–80 words) for testing.
5. A/B test those two on the product page (or in an email) for 7–10 days with real traffic.
6. Review metrics, adopt the winner, and update the product page. Repeat weekly for your top 10 SKUs.

What to expect

• 3 usable drafts in under 2 minutes per product once you have inputs ready.
• A clear winner for most products after one A/B week; small copy tweaks usually suffice.
• Faster decisions by customers and fewer return-related descriptions.

Metrics to watch (short list)

• Conversion rate (primary).
• Add-to-cart rate and bounce rate on the product page.
• Email/category CTR if you use descriptions there.

One-week practical plan

1. Day 1: Collect summaries, benefits, specs, proof for top 5–10 products.
2. Day 2: Generate 3 variants per product and trim to template.
3. Days 3–4: Finalize two variants each (short vs. slightly detailed).
4. Days 5–10: Run A/B tests, review results, roll out winners.

Small, repeatable steps remove stress. Keep the inputs tight, enforce the template, and let quick tests guide the edits — you’ll trade guesswork for measurable wins.

[Becky Budgeter]

Nice—your routine keeps it simple and repeatable, which is exactly what makes this work. I like that you focus on a rigid template and quick A/B cycles; that removes decision fatigue and forces clarity.

Here’s a compact, practical way to run the weekly workflow without writing long prompts: tell the AI to produce three distinct versions that follow a strict template (headline ~10–12 words; two-line benefit blurb that answers the customer’s main question; four short spec bullets; one 2–3 word CTA). Add clear constraints: no superlatives, prioritize customer benefit over features, label outputs A/B/C, and keep each under ~80 words. That keeps outputs usable right away and easy to trim.

What you’ll need

• 1–2 sentence product summary (what it does and who it’s for).
• Three customer-centered benefits (how it solves a problem or saves time).
• Key specs customers expect (size, weight, materials, warranty).
• Target audience + tone (practical, confident, 40+ buyers).
• One short proof point or customer quote, if you have one.

How to do it — step by step

1. Gather the five inputs above for one product (10–15 minutes).
2. Run the short instruction to generate 3 variants. Don’t ask for long marketing copy—stick to the template.
3. Trim each output to the template limits; remove any leftover adjectives or claims that aren’t factual.
4. Keep two final versions: one ultra-short (50–60 words) and one slightly fuller (70–80 words).
5. Run an A/B test on the product page or in an email for 7–10 days with real traffic.
6. Adopt the winner, make tiny local edits (units, spelling), and repeat weekly for 5–10 SKUs.

What to expect

• 3 usable drafts in under 2 minutes once inputs are ready.
• One clear winner after a week for most products; usually small tweaks beat rewrites.
• Faster customer decisions, clearer pages, and fewer returns from misunderstanding.

Quick tip: Start each description with the primary benefit in plain language so readers know immediately why it matters—then list specs for shoppers who want facts.

Which product category would you like a short example for first?

[Jeff Bullas]

Yes to the rigid template and quick A/B cycles—great call. I’ll add a fast, repeatable way to kill fluff, surface proof, and handle objections so your copy stays clear and converts.

Try this right now (under 5 minutes)

• Pick one product and paste the prompt below into your AI tool.
• Replace the bracketed fields and hit generate. You’ll get three clean drafts ready to test.

Copy-paste prompt (refined for clarity and speed)

You are a concise product-description writer. Produce 3 labeled variants (A/B/C) using this template: 1) Headline (10–12 words, plain language). 2) Two-line benefit blurb: first line solves the buyer’s main problem; second line sets expectation or adds proof/return policy. 3) Four spec bullets: facts only; numbers with units; include warranty/returns if given. 4) One short CTA (2–4 words). Constraints: for buyers age 40+; practical and confident; no superlatives; Grade 6 reading level; max 80 words per variant; use only the details provided. If info is missing, insert “—”. Inputs — Product summary: [what it does + who it’s for]. Top 3 benefits: [benefit 1; benefit 2; benefit 3]. Key specs: [facts with units; warranty; materials]. Proof point: [testimonial line or data]. Tone/local terms: [e.g., US English, centimeters].

What you’ll need

• 1–2 sentence product summary (what it does, who it’s for).
• Three customer benefits (pain relieved, time saved, risk reduced).
• Key specs with units (size, weight, materials, warranty, returns).
• One proof point (short quote, rating, test result).
• Target tone (practical, confident, 40+ buyers).

Step-by-step workflow

1. Gather inputs (10–15 minutes). Use real phrases from reviews or emails.
2. Generate 3 variants with the prompt above.
3. Run a fast “de-fluff” pass: delete praise words that don’t add facts (e.g., premium, world-class).
4. Create two finals per product: one ultra-short (50–60 words) and one fuller (70–80 words).
5. A/B test on the product page or in email for 7–10 days.
6. Adopt the winner. Keep a swipe file of winning headlines and spec wording.

Insider upgrades (small tweaks, big lift)

• Objection line: Use the second sentence of the blurb to reduce worry (fit, returns, setup time).
• Numbers beat adjectives: Replace “lightweight” with the actual weight.
• Spec shrink: Four bullets only; if you have more, move them to a tech tab on page.
• Read-aloud test: If you stumble, it’s too long—shorten the sentence, keep the fact.

Example category: ergonomic office chair (for 40+ desk workers)

Inputs (sample): Summary: Adjustable office chair that eases lower-back strain for home offices. Benefits: reduces back pressure; easy, quick adjustments; supports long sessions. Specs: seat height 17–21 in (43–53 cm); seat width 20 in (51 cm); weight capacity 300 lb (136 kg); warranty 5-year frame, 2-year foam; returns 30 days. Proof: “Back pain eased within a week.”

• Variant AHeadline: Back-support office chair for long days at the deskBlurb: Eases lower-back pressure so you stay focused, not fidgeting. Adjust height and lumbar in seconds; 30‑day returns if it doesn’t fit.Specs: • Seat height: 17–21 in (43–53 cm) • Seat width: 20 in (51 cm) • Weight capacity: 300 lb (136 kg) • Warranty: 5‑year frame; 2‑year foamCTA: Sit better
• Variant BHeadline: Adjustable chair that supports your back and your workdayBlurb: Aligns your spine and reduces pressure during long calls and emails. Quick setup with clear dials; return within 30 days if needed.Specs: • Seat height: 17–21 in (43–53 cm) • Seat width: 20 in (51 cm) • Capacity: 300 lb (136 kg) • Materials: steel base; mesh backCTA: Find your fit

Micro-iteration prompts (copy-paste)

• Tighten by 15%: “Tighten Variant [A/B/C] by 15% without losing any facts. Replace vague words with numbers if possible. Keep the exact template and word caps.”
• De-fluff: “Scan this description. Remove any praise words that don’t add a fact. Keep numbers, units, and proof. Output only the cleaned version.”
• Localization: “Convert all units to centimeters and kilograms. Keep the rest unchanged.”

Common mistakes and quick fixes

• Fluff adjectives (premium, best, ultimate) → Replace with numbers, materials, or standards.
• Feature-led copy → Start with the problem solved, then list specs.
• Missing units → Always include units; readers can’t picture size without them.
• Long paragraphs → Force the template: headline, two lines, four bullets, short CTA.
• Unverified claims → Only include warranty/returns/proof you can back up.

1-week action plan

1. Day 1: Collect inputs for 5–10 products (summary, 3 benefits, specs, proof).
2. Day 2: Generate 3 variants each. Run the de-fluff pass. Save two finals per product.
3. Days 3–4: Publish A/B tests (page or email). Set one primary metric: conversion rate.
4. Days 5–7: Review results. Ship the winner. Note which phrases and specs helped clarity.

What to expect

• Three usable drafts in under two minutes once inputs are ready.
• One clear winner for most products after a week.
• Fewer returns due to clearer sizing and expectations.

Want me to tailor the example to your category next (beauty, home appliances, tools, apparel)? Say the category and paste your inputs—I’ll generate two ready-to-test variants on the spot.

[Author]

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