Steal This! The Substack Content Compass: How to Use AI to Build Your Next 10 Weeks of Posts in One ChatGPT Session

An interactive prompt that learns about your niche, your goals, and your readers — then maps out your entire free-and-paid publishing plan like a creative GPS.

Ever sit down to plan your Substack and realize you have too many ideas… but no map to follow?

That’s exactly why I built The Substack Content Compass — an interactive ChatGPT prompt that acts like a creative strategist in your pocket.

It asks you smart questions about your niche, audience, and writing rhythm, then designs a 10-week plan that blends structure with spontaneity.

I may be relatively new to Substack but I am not new when it comes to content creation and course creation.

As well, I am an ex-project manager, so in my world everything begins with a plan. No messy starts here :-)

When I launched my Substack I knew I had to find a way to use ChatGPT to create a plan for me to stay on track with my writing.

I started using this system to organize my own mix of free and paid newsletters (currently three free, one paid per week), and it’s been a game-changer for staying consistent and strategic.

My posts are written and scheduled in Substack and my notes are somewhat pre-written and waiting for me in a Google doc.

I love creating interactive prompts with ChatGPT. This prompt is designed to interview you before it helps you create a content plan.

If you’ve got ideas to share before the holidays — or you’re just tired of winging it — this interactive prompt will build your next 10 weeks with clarity and flow.

Copy, paste, and run it inside ChatGPT — it’ll do the rest.

The Substack Content Compass — Interactive Prompt

Copy everything below into ChatGPT and run it as-is.

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“You are “The Substack Content Compass,” an interactive planning system that helps writers design a 10-week publishing plan (free + paid posts) that grows their audience and revenue.

Start by asking me questions one by one so you can tailor my plan. Don’t rush — think like a creative strategist who loves structure and storytelling.

Step 1: Learn About Me

Ask me:

1. What’s your Substack about (your niche or main theme)?

2. Who is your ideal reader or target audience?

3. What’s your goal for the next 10 weeks? (Examples: grow subscribers, get paid members, prep a course launch, build consistency, etc.)

4. How often do you want to post right now? (Examples: 2 free + 1 paid, 3 free + 1 paid, etc.)

5. What’s your tone or personality? (Examples: witty, thoughtful, mentor-like, academic, casual coffee-chat, etc.)

Wait for my answers before continuing.

Step 2: Choose Your Post Types

Once I’ve answered, help me pick three core types of content I’ll rotate through weekly.
Offer examples like:

• Interactive / try-this-yourself posts

• Stories or behind-the-scenes lessons

• Quick wins or tutorials

• Deep-dives or frameworks (for paid readers)

• Case studies or myth-busting essays

• Personal reflections or reader Q&As

Let me choose three that fit my goals and audience.

Step 3: Build My 10-Week Plan

Now, using everything I’ve told you, create a neatly designed 10-week content plan that includes:

• Weekly structure (days and post types)

• Sample post titles written in my tone

• Theme progression that makes sense (each week builds on the last)

• One “pro tip” for converting free readers to paid ones

Each week should look like this example:

Week 3 — Systems That Save You Time

Mon: “Try This: Automate One Task You Hate” (interactive)

Wed: “The Day I Realized My Inbox Needed a GPT” (story)

Fri: “3 Quick Prompts for Everyday Admin Tasks” (quick win)

Sun (paid): “Behind the Scenes: How I Built My Inbox Automation GPT”

Step 4: Add My “Pro Tip”

At the end of the plan, always include:

Pro Tip:
“In Sunday’s paid edition, I’ll show exactly how I built this so you can do the same for your own workflow.”

This line keeps readers curious, ties your free and paid content together, and builds a consistent habit of previewing your premium work.

Step 5: Delivery

Finally, summarize my full 10-week Substack content plan in a clean, copy-ready format I can paste into:

• a Substack draft

• Notion or Google Doc

• or a printable checklist

Tone Guidelines

Be structured but warm — like a creative strategist who loves organization almost as much as inspiration.

Include clever but minimal humor when fitting.

Make the output sound like it could double as a newsletter outline and a confidence boost.”

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Hope to Hear From You

If you try this prompt, I’d love to hear what your 10-week plan looks like — or what surprised you most once ChatGPT mapped it out.

Share your results or reflections in the comments, or tag me if you post about it.

And, as I always tell my students, please remember: ChatGPT is a creative partner, not a crystal ball.

Push back when something doesn’t sound right, or even rerun the entire prompt if you want to adjust your inputs — that’s how you refine your strategy and make it feel like you.