How To X Without Y: Train ChatGPT To Write Headlines That Promise “The Outcome” Without “The Obstacle”

This is literally the easiest headline format you can follow.

Ahoy, Digital Writers!

Today we want to walk you through a very simple framework you can use with ChatGPT to write attention-grabbing headlines.

For anyone who has taken Ship 30 for 30, you know how much emphasis we place on writing headlines first. We never write the title last. Because before you write anything, you have to figure out where you are going.

And if you start the writing process by writing the first sentence without a title—you are lost.

A headline gives the reader (and you) direction.

It’s like a mini Hero’s Journey highlighting where the story begins and ends.

• [Beginning] Where are they starting?

• [Conflict] What’s the problem—and why does it matter?

• [Solution] How do they solve this problem?

• [Transformation] And how their life is different as a result?

Readers read because of who and what they believe they will BE “on the other side.”

So, don’t make them guess.

Your headline should say exactly what the reader can expect (before they click and start reading).

Here’s a simple test:

Read a title and ask yourself, “Would I want to read this? Is this a good book, article, thread, etc.?” You don’t need to read or write an entire piece to know if it’s a good idea. And whether the answer is yes or no, you have an opinion before you even read the piece.

Because it’s clear.

For example, readers don’t know what these headlines mean:

• “Writing 101”

• “The Dream Brigade”

• “Double Or Nothing”

There are missing pieces.

The reader doesn’t have what they need to help them make a decision. Because they don’t know if it’s for them or not. And when the reader hesitates, you lose them.

To help you avoid this, we want to give you a very easy framework to follow.

We use it all the time inside Ship 30 for 30. Cole uses it. Dickie uses it. Every great copywriter uses it. And all great authors unconsciously understand how to use this framework.

The framework is called:

The “How To X Without Y” Framework

The “How To X Without Y” framework is the scaffolding for every good success story.

• How to “the outcome” without “the obstacle”

• How to “get what you want” without “the hard part”

• How to build a house without having to build it yourself

• How to make tons of money without working 60 hours per week

• How to become a Digital Writer without spending $120K on an English Degree

You need to be able to answer the “How To X Without Y” question before you start writing.

In fact, the majority of your time should be spent figuring this out. Because if you can’t answer the question, you don’t know what you are writing about. So, go through as many iterations as you need until you are clear on the outcome and the obstacle.

Then, you can you proceed with the writing process.

When you use this framework, the reader will immediately understand what they are going to get, “become a Digital Writer,” and they’ll understand why it’s so compelling, “they don’t have to spend $120K on a degree.” Your job is to fill in the gaps and tell them the story of “how.”

The key here is helping the reader successfully overcome a conflict.

3 Steps To Craft 49 “How To X Without Y” Headlines Using ChatGPT

This is a multi-step prompt.

All you need is one simple topic, ChatGPT, and a double-espresso!

Let’s dive in!