I discovered this during a nightmare project where the client kept saying “make it pop more.” These prompts translate vague feedback into actionable direction:
1. Ask “What does success look like to the person signing the check?”
I have listed few well-structured prompts to help you expand this point:
1. Ask “What does success look like to the person signing the check?”
This prompt targets decision-maker alignment, helping decode vague feedback by identifying what really matters to the person with final approval. Below are a few prompt templates and examples that expand on this idea.
Prompt 1: Define Success from Decision-Maker’s View
Prompt:
Act like a strategist working with a design/marketing/client services team. Ask, “What does success look like to the person signing the check?” Then describe that success in measurable terms, emotional outcomes, and internal goals. Use this to guide project direction.
Example Use Case:
For a website redesign project:
“The CEO wants the new website to feel like a tech leader’s site — clean, innovative, and investor-ready. Success means fewer investor questions, smoother sales calls, and shorter onboarding for partners.”
Prompt 2: Translate Feedback into C-Suite Language
Prompt:
Translate the client’s vague feedback (e.g., “make it pop more” or “this doesn’t feel premium”) into what the decision-maker would consider successful. Phrase the response as if explaining the goal to the CEO/CFO/Founder.
Example Use Case:
Feedback: “Can you make it stand out more?”
Translated goal: “The founder wants the design to create instant credibility when shared with investors. That means a strong, modern layout that feels both current and financially solid.”
Prompt 3: Simulate a Boardroom Conversation
Prompt:
Imagine you’re in the boardroom with the project’s decision-maker. Rephrase the client brief using the question: “What outcome would make this project feel like a win to the person signing the check?” Then, write a one-paragraph summary of that.
Example Use Case:
“For the CMO, success looks like an ad campaign that gets featured on LinkedIn and sparks peer recognition. ROI matters, but they also want industry praise and visibility.”
Prompt 4: Reframe Project Goals Using Executive KPIs
Prompt:
Reframe the project goals using executive-level KPIs. Ask: “What would make the person signing the check say this project was worth every penny?” Focus on reputation, ROI, or internal credibility.
Example Use Case:
“The CFO wants to see a measurable lift in lead quality from the landing page. A 15% bump in conversions and a reduction in support tickets post-launch would equal success.”
Prompt 5: Pre-Brief Interview Generator
Prompt:
Write 5 questions to ask during a pre-brief client meeting to uncover what success means to the person approving the budget. Each question should reveal business goals, internal politics, or emotional wins.
Example Questions:
- “Whose opinion matters most on the final decision?”
- “If this project is wildly successful, how will it affect your team or reputation?”
- “What would make your boss proud of this result?”
- “Are there specific results you need to justify the budget?”
- “Is there a previous project that nailed it — and why?”
Prompt 6: Feedback Decoder
Prompt:
Take vague client feedback (e.g., “make it modern” or “it’s not exciting enough”) and decode it using the question: “What does success look like to the person signing the check?” Then rewrite the feedback in clear, actionable terms.
Example Use Case:
Original feedback: “It needs to feel more fresh.”
Decoded: “The CEO wants the product to appeal to Gen Z. A fresh design means vibrant colors, trending visual cues, and bold messaging.”
2. Use “What would make this client look like a hero to their boss?”
Let’s expand this point:
2. Use “What would make this client look like a hero to their boss?”
This question shifts the focus from just delivering a task to supporting the client’s internal success — helping them win praise, earn trust, or secure future budget.
Below are well-structured prompts and examples that help you apply this client psychology insight in real situations.
Prompt 1: Internal Win Framing
Prompt:
Act like a consultant helping a client shine in front of their manager or leadership team. Ask: “What would make this client look like a hero to their boss?” Then write a 2–3 sentence description of that scenario. Focus on results, recognition, and internal politics.
Example Use Case:
For a marketing manager launching a new campaign:
“If this campaign drives a 10% increase in demo bookings and gets featured in the monthly company newsletter, the marketing manager will look like a rising star to the VP of Sales.”
Prompt 2: Hero Move Extractor
Prompt:
Write a list of 3–5 specific actions or outcomes that would make the client appear proactive, smart, or visionary to their boss. Begin with the phrase: “To help the client look like a hero to their boss, the project should…”
Example Output:
To help the client look like a hero to their boss, the project should:
- Launch ahead of deadline
- Deliver results that can be tied to quarterly targets
- Include a visual or phrase their boss will remember
- Provide data or proof the client can present in meetings
- Avoid surprises that could trigger executive questions
Prompt 3: Project Reframe for Career Impact
Prompt:
Reframe the project goal as a career win for the client. Ask: “If this goes well, how does it help the client move up, get more visibility, or earn trust?” Write a paragraph explaining how your deliverable contributes to their internal success story.
Example Use Case:
“If this launch runs smoothly and gains user traction, the Product Manager earns credibility with the CTO. It sets them up to lead a larger feature rollout in Q4.”
Prompt 4: Internal Narrative Builder
Prompt:
Write a short internal email the client might send to their boss after a successful delivery. Use it to reverse-engineer what kind of results or highlights you need to provide.
Example Output:
Subject: Q3 Report Redesign Success
“Hi [Boss],
Just sharing the new format for the quarterly report. It’s getting great feedback from the board — easier to scan, data more actionable. The design team really nailed the update. We’re ready to present early this time.”
→ Your takeaway: Make it faster, clearer, and visually impressive to help the client show initiative.
Prompt 5: Boss Persona Assumption
Prompt:
Based on limited client info, infer what kind of boss they likely report to (metrics-focused, visionary, risk-averse, etc.). Then describe what type of result or presentation would impress that boss.
Example Use Case:
Client: Senior Product Marketer
Assumed Boss: VP of Product (metric-driven, cares about ARR)
Hero move: A product landing page that converts at 3x the old version and integrates seamlessly with CRM data.
Prompt 6: Pre-Pitch Conversation Prompts
Prompt:
Write 5 discovery questions to ask during the kickoff meeting to identify what would make the client look like a hero to their leadership. These should uncover both emotional and tactical wins.
Example Questions:
- “How does your boss define success on this?”
- “What’s the best feedback you’ve ever gotten from them?”
- “What’s one thing they always notice in a project?”
- “Do they prefer safe bets or bold moves?”
- “If this goes well, what doors could it open for you?”
3. Try “What’s the client afraid will go wrong?”
Let’s expand this point:
3. Try “What’s the client afraid will go wrong?”
This question helps uncover hidden fears and unspoken risks that often cause vague, last-minute changes. Clients rarely say what they’re afraid of, but those fears drive most “weird” feedback.
Here are structured prompts and real-world examples that will help you surface and neutralize client anxiety before it derails your project.
Prompt 1: Fear Mapping Prompt
Prompt:
Ask: “What is the client secretly afraid might go wrong?” Then list 3 potential fears based on their role, industry, or previous comments. For each, write how that fear might influence their feedback or revision requests.
Example Use Case:
Client: Marketing Director launching a new product
Possible Fears:
- “What if this flops and I can’t justify the budget?” → May request conservative messaging
- “What if leadership hates the look?” → May keep asking to “tone it down”
- “What if competitors do it better?” → May add last-minute features or comparison charts
Prompt 2: Feedback-to-Fear Decoder
Prompt:
Take vague client feedback and decode the underlying fear. Start with: “If a client says [insert feedback], they might actually be afraid that…” Then explain the implication and how to respond.
Example:
Feedback: “Make it more professional.”
Fear: “They’re worried this will look amateur in front of stakeholders.”
Response: Use corporate fonts, clean layout, and a tone that mirrors enterprise competitors.
Prompt 3: Pre-Mortem Risk Analysis
Prompt:
Write a short “pre-mortem” where you imagine the project has failed. Ask: “What would the client say went wrong?” and “What were they trying to avoid all along?” Use this to list preventive actions.
Example Use Case:
Project: SaaS product launch landing page
Pre-mortem: “Conversions were low, the message didn’t resonate, and the CEO blamed marketing.”
Actions: Refocus copy on product value, include trust signals, test call-to-action clarity.
Prompt 4: Risk-Framed Discovery Questions
Prompt:
Write 5 questions to ask in a client call to uncover fears driving their behavior. Questions should be subtle and framed positively.
Example Questions:
- “What would a worst-case scenario look like here?”
- “Are there any past projects that didn’t go well — anything we should avoid repeating?”
- “What kind of feedback are you hoping to not get from your boss or customers?”
- “What part of this project makes you most nervous?”
- “Are there specific things we should steer clear of?”
Prompt 5: Client Role-Based Fear Generator
Prompt:
Based on the client’s title or role, list 3 common fears they may carry into a project. Then suggest how to pre-emptively reduce each fear through design, copy, or communication.
Example Use Case:
Client: Head of HR launching internal training portal
Fears:
- “Employees won’t use it” → Add onboarding emails and tooltips
- “Leadership won’t support it” → Include KPIs and impact projections
- “IT will push back” → Use secure, low-friction tech stack
Prompt 6: Fear-First Creative Strategy
Prompt:
Write a creative strategy that starts with this premise: “The client’s biggest fear is [insert fear].” Then outline how your solution addresses that fear clearly and confidently.
Example:
Fear: “This new branding will confuse loyal customers”
Creative direction: Keep visual consistency with the old brand, retain core messaging pillars, and introduce changes gradually with clear rationale.
4. Ask “What would the client’s customers actually care about here?”
Cuts through internal bias. Gets you focused on end-user value instead of committee preferences.
Let’s expand this point:
4. Ask “What would the client’s customers actually care about here?”
This question helps you cut through internal politics and preferences. It shifts your focus from pleasing the client’s team to serving their real audience — the end users, buyers, or stakeholders who ultimately decide if the project succeeds.
Following are structured prompts and examples to uncover and align with end-user value.
Prompt 1: End-User Priority Translator
Prompt:
Take a client request or feature and ask: “What would the customer care about here?” Reframe the request from the end-user’s point of view using clear benefits or outcomes.
Example Use Case:
Client wants: “Add more technical jargon to sound credible.”
Customer cares about: “Will this save me time or reduce risk?”
→ Reframe copy to emphasize speed, ease, or results with simple, confident language.
Prompt 2: Internal Bias Filter
Prompt:
Act like a neutral strategist reviewing a project brief. Identify where internal preferences or egos may be overriding what actual customers care about. Write a summary that says, “The customer doesn’t care about [X], they care about [Y].”
Example Output:
The customer doesn’t care about your award-winning process — they care about how fast the product solves their problem and if it works better than their current tool.
Prompt 3: Customer-Centric Messaging Builder
Prompt:
Write 3 variations of the same message:
- How the client describes it
- How the team wants to present it
- What the customer actually needs to hear
Example Use Case:
Service: Financial planning app
- Client: “AI-powered tax-optimized investment solution”
- Team: “Revolutionizing wealth management with next-gen insights”
- Customer: “Will this help me retire earlier with fewer surprises?”
Prompt 4: End-User Empathy Map
Prompt:
Build an empathy map by answering:
- What does the customer fear?
- What do they want most?
- What frustrates them?
- What would delight them?
Use these answers to challenge or refine the client’s current direction.
Example Use Case:
Project: HR software UI redesign
- Fear: Losing data or clicking the wrong option
- Want: Clarity and easy access to key actions
- Frustration: Confusing menus and clutter
- Delight: Simple dashboard with smart suggestions
→ Focus UI on fewer steps, clearer calls to action, and tooltips
Prompt 5: “So What?” Test Prompt
Prompt:
Review the project content or design and repeatedly ask: “So what?” until you reach the customer’s true interest or benefit. Write the final version as a customer-facing message.
Example:
Claim: “We use blockchain for authentication.”
→ So what? It’s secure.
→ So what? Users don’t get hacked.
→ So what? You can trust this product with your most sensitive data.
Final message: “Your data stays safe — always. No passwords lost. No breaches. Just peace of mind.”
Prompt 6: Customer-First Revision Checklist
Prompt:
Create a checklist to evaluate if a deliverable is customer-focused. Ask:
- Does this answer a customer pain point?
- Is this benefit clear in 5 seconds or less?
- Would a customer want to share this?
- Are we using language the customer would use?
- Would this still make sense if you removed the client’s logo?
Use the checklist to adjust direction before final delivery.
5. Use “What story does the client need to tell about this project?”
Every deliverable becomes part of their narrative. Understanding the story gets you better buy-in.
Let’s expand Point 5:
5. Use “What story does the client need to tell about this project?”
Every project — presentation, campaign, product, or pitch — is part of a bigger narrative. That narrative often isn’t about you or even the deliverable — it’s about how the client looks, leads, or wins through it.
When you help the client tell a compelling story internally or externally, your work becomes the proof that they’re effective, future-ready, or results-driven.
Below are structured prompts and examples to help you build work that supports their story.
Prompt 1: Narrative Decoder Prompt
Prompt:
Ask: “What story does the client need to tell — to their boss, customers, or industry?” Then summarize it in one sentence, and list 3 ways your deliverable supports or proves that story.
Example Use Case:
Project: Sustainability report for a consumer brand
Story: “We’re not just talking about ESG — we’re leading by example.”
Proofs:
- Highlighted measurable carbon reductions
- Real stories of supplier reform
- Smart, modern visual design to reflect transparency
Prompt 2: “Internal Slide” Strategy Prompt
Prompt:
Write the imaginary slide the client might show in a leadership meeting to justify this project. Use 3–4 bullet points with simple, bold claims. Then use this slide to guide your content/design approach.
Example Output:
Slide:
- Launched new onboarding experience in 4 weeks
- Reduced user churn by 18%
- Positive internal feedback from sales and customer support
→ Design a sleek summary PDF with metrics and testimonials
Prompt 3: Hero Narrative Builder
Prompt:
Write a short paragraph that casts the client as the hero of a successful project story. Start with: “After identifying a gap/opportunity, [Client Name] led a project that…”
End with a line that implies respect from leadership or growth in influence.
Example:
After identifying user drop-off in the sign-up flow, Priya led a project that simplified onboarding and increased conversions by 32%. Her ability to align design, data, and engineering earned praise from the COO and made onboarding a benchmark for future updates.
Prompt 4: Story-Driven Brief Creator
Prompt:
Before starting work, ask the client:
- “What do you want people to say about you after this project?”
- “What impression should this work leave?”
- “How will this help you move forward in your role?”
Use answers to shape tone, priorities, and metrics.
Example Use Case:
Client: Product lead launching new app
Answers:
- “I want to be seen as decisive and user-first.”
- “It should look polished, fast, and intuitive.”
- “If this goes well, I’ll get more say in product strategy.”
→ Prioritize performance, simplicity, and confident messaging.
Prompt 5: Story Arc Alignment
Prompt:
Match the deliverable to a common story arc:
- “From problem to solution” (case studies, redesigns)
- “Proving innovation” (new features, rebrands)
- “Building credibility” (whitepapers, reports)
- “Achieving growth” (campaigns, launches)
Pick the arc that fits the client’s internal or external goals. Use this to align visuals, structure, and language.
Example Use Case:
Project: Rebrand launch deck
Arc: “Proving innovation”
→ Use modern layout, bold before/after visuals, and confident language about growth and vision.
Prompt 6: Post-Project Story Test
Prompt:
Write a LinkedIn post the client might publish after project completion to share their story. Use that as a guide to make sure your work gives them something worth posting.
Example Output:
“Thrilled to launch our new customer dashboard — built to give users faster insights and a cleaner experience. Big thanks to the team and partners who made this happen. Already seeing a 20% bump in engagement!”
→ Ensure your work delivers clarity, impact, and shareability.
6. End with “What would make this so good the client shows it off?”
Moves from “good enough” to “portfolio piece.” The stuff they’re proud to associate with.
Let’s expand this final point:
6. End with “What would make this so good the client shows it off?”
This question shifts the bar from “acceptable” to “showcase-worthy.” You’re no longer just meeting specs — you’re helping the client build something they’re proud to present, post, or promote. When clients show it off, you win deeper trust and future work.
Here are structured prompts and real examples to help you deliver work worth bragging about.
Prompt 1: Pride Trigger Prompt
Prompt:
Ask: “What would make this so impressive that the client shares it with their team, boss, or online?” Then write a short checklist of elements (visuals, data, design, tone) that would support that kind of pride or promotion.
Example Use Case:
Project: Annual report for a fintech startup
Checklist:
- Clean layout that looks good on LinkedIn screenshots
- CEO quote with bold pull-quote formatting
- Strong metrics (growth, customer wins, milestones)
- Optional press-ready PDF export
Prompt 2: “Would You Post This?” Filter
Prompt:
Imagine the client is about to post this project on LinkedIn or send it in a portfolio. Ask:
- Would they be proud to attach their name to it?
- Does it make them look strategic, innovative, or bold?
- Would they tag you to thank you?
Use this filter to fine-tune your final round.
Example Use Case:
For a VP of Sales launching a new pitch deck:
→ Add slick animations, branded graphs, and smart objection-handling slides — make them look like a closer.
Prompt 3: Brag-Ready Deliverable Builder
Prompt:
Write 3 features or moments in your deliverable that are worth bragging about. Each should be something that would trigger a “Wow, who made that?” response. Include at least one thing that isn’t required in the brief.
Example:
Project: Internal dashboard redesign
Brag moments:
- Dark/light mode toggle with animation
- Hover tooltips that explain every metric
- Auto-generated monthly performance summary PDF
Prompt 4: Final Deliverable Upgrade Prompt
Prompt:
Take your approved version and ask: “What’s the 10% upgrade that would make this stand out — visually, emotionally, or functionally?” Then apply that upgrade before delivering.
Example Use Case:
Project: Social media branding kit
Approved version: Clean and consistent
Final upgrade: Include mockups on phone/tablet + sample captions + bonus Instagram highlight icons
→ Feels complete and post-ready
Prompt 5: “Client’s Personal Portfolio” Prompt
Prompt:
Imagine the client is leaving their job in 6 months and adding this project to their personal portfolio. Ask:
- What would they highlight?
- What would they say they contributed?
- What screenshots would they use?
Use these answers to reverse-engineer what elements to polish.
Example Use Case:
Client: Mid-level PM leading redesign
→ Make sure they get visual credit, clear results (e.g., “reduced clicks by 35%”), and project summary in case study format.
Prompt 6: Share-Worthy Completion Email
Prompt:
Write the final handover email you’d send if your goal was to make the client want to forward it to their boss or post about it. Include a one-line summary of the project win, key highlights, and a download/share link.
Example Output:
Subject: Your New Brand Toolkit – Ready to Shine
Hi [Client],
Here’s your final brand kit! This includes:
✔️ Editable logo files
✔️ Custom icon set
✔️ 3 social media templates
✔️ One-pager you can share with your team
Let me know how it lands — we’d love to see it live.
Cheers,
[Your Name]
✅ 7. Stack the Prompts for Unstoppable Clarity
These prompts work best together — each one uncovers a different layer. Try stacking 2–3 to create a strategic conversation that reveals deep insight fast.
🔄 Stacking Examples:
Combo 1:
> “What does success look like to the decision-maker?”
“What would make the client look like a hero to their boss?”
Helps you shape both metrics and messaging.
Combo 2:
> “What’s the client afraid will go wrong?”
“What would the client’s customers actually care about?”
Balances risk reduction with audience-first clarity.
Combo 3:
> “What story does the client need to tell?”
“What would make this so good they show it off?”
Ensures your work fits the bigger narrative and shines in their portfolio.
Final Thoughts
The breakthrough happens because these prompts decode client psychology instead of just solving surface requests. You start anticipating needs they haven’t even voiced yet.
Secret weapon: Use these during the brief, not after. “Help me understand what success looks like to the person signing the check” positions you as strategic, not just tactical.
Best part: Clients love these questions because they feel heard and understood. You become the consultant who “gets it” instead of the vendor who delivers exactly what they asked for.
Used this approach on a rebrand project. Instead of 12 rounds of “can you make the logo more dynamic,” we nailed it in 2 because we understood the CEO’s vision from day one.
What’s the most confusing client feedback you’ve had to decode?