Recognize this? You ask ChatGPT for an email subject line, get something that feels… meh, and wonder if you’re doing something wrong. Well, did you ask for multiple variations?

Getting one mediocre response from ChatGPT is like going to an ice cream shop and only tasting vanilla. Sure, it might be fine, but you’re missing out on so many amazing flavors! The secret to creating outstanding AI content isn’t (only) about perfecting your prompts – it’s also about asking for plenty of options and picking the ones that make you go “wow.”

Here’s what’s fun about going big with variations: when you ask for 50 email subject lines instead of one, you’ll get a wide variety. Some will make you laugh (and not in a good way), some will feel ‘just okay,’ but hidden in there will be absolute gems you’d never have thought of. You might find a subject line that plays with FOMO sitting right next to one that speaks directly to your readers’ biggest worries.

Once you spot a subject line that catches your eye: take that promising option and ask for 15 more variations of just that one. You’ll be amazed at how this second round of brainstorming can take a good idea and make it great.

The same goes for blog posts. Remember the last time you stared at a blank screen, trying to figure out how to start? Next time, try asking ChatGPT for 20 different opening paragraphs. Some might start with questions that make readers nod along, others might share surprising facts that make them stop scrolling. Once you find an opening that feels right, ask for more versions that play with different tones or angles. Each iteration gets you closer to that “this is exactly what I wanted” moment.

The same thing applies to social media posts. When you’re planning content, why stop at one post idea? Ask for 100 different angles. Yes, 100! Some will flop spectacularly and that’s perfectly fine. That’s how you learn what works. When you spot a promising idea, ask for 15-20 variations of just that one.

What I like most about this approach is that you can get specific about what you want to see in these variations. Maybe you want some posts that make people laugh, others that teach something new, and a few that address those worries keeping your readers up at night. It’s like having a menu of content options to choose from, each serving a different purpose.

This two-step process of getting lots of initial ideas and then refining the best ones, works for everything. Video titles? Start with 20 options, pick your favorite, then ask for 15 more variations of that one. Email headlines? Same thing. Social media captions? You got it. Each round of variations helps you discover new angles and find ways to make good content even better.

Reviewing lots of variations might sound time-consuming, but think of it as investing in a content treasure chest. You’re not just finding one good piece, you’re discovering what makes your content shine, building a library of ideas, and saving yourself from future creative blocks. Plus, you’ll often spot surprising angles that make you think, “Now that’s an interesting way to look at it!”

Ready to give it a try? Next time you sit down with ChatGPT, don’t hold back. Ask for way more variations than feels comfortable, then take your favorites and ask for even more options based on those. Some will be silly, some will be serious, and that’s exactly what you want. Play around, mix different elements together, and watch your content come alive.