Quick answer. Write listings only from the label, care tag and vendor sheet, and have the AI flag any origin, material or eco claim. For sales, give the AI the dates you actually sold at the former price and let it drop any comparison you can't back up. For online orders, state shipping times you can really meet, and when an order will be late, offer the customer the choice to wait or cancel for a refund.
Why a workflow beats a one-off prompt
A boutique runs on small batches of writing: twenty new listings, a weekend sale, a restock email, a dozen DMs about sizing. Chat assistants are fast at all of it and careless in predictable ways. They round 55% linen up to "linen", call a candle "handmade in the USA" because it sounds nice, and put "compare at" on everything. The workflows give the AI your tags and price history and make it show you every claim it's tempted to add.
Each workflow has five parts: the job it does, a prompt template with [BRACKETS] to fill, an example input with the kind of output to expect, a check before you send (facts, numbers, names, tone), and a privacy rule. Every prompt ends by telling the AI to write [CHECK] instead of guessing, so missing facts show up instead of being invented.
Three workflows you can run today
1. Product description from the tag and spec sheet
Prompt template (replace every [BRACKET] with your facts):
Write a product description for our online shop and a 25-word version for the shelf card. Use only these facts: product [NAME]; materials [EXACTLY AS ON THE LABEL]; size or fit notes [NOTES]; care [AS ON THE CARE LABEL]; country of origin [AS ON THE LABEL]; price [PRICE]; what makes it stand out [2-3 POINTS]. Don't add materials, percentages, "handmade", "sustainable", "organic" or "Made in USA" unless those exact words are in the facts. After the draft, list any claim about origin, materials or the environment so I can check it against the label and the vendor. If any fact you need is missing, write [CHECK] instead of guessing. After the draft, list every [CHECK] and anything you assumed.
Example input: Linen-blend shirt; 55% linen, 45% cotton; relaxed fit, runs large; machine wash cold; made in Portugal; $68; points: coconut buttons, side slits, three colors.
What to expect: Expect an 80 to 120 word description that leads with the fabric and fit, gives "55% linen, 45% cotton" and "Made in Portugal" exactly as on the label, a 25-word shelf card, and a short list of claims to verify.
Check before you send:
- Facts: materials, origin and care match the label; no "eco" or "handmade" you can't back up.
- Numbers: fabric percentages, sizes and price are exact.
- Names: brand and color names match the vendor sheet.
- Tone: describes the product; no "best ever" or "everyone's buying".
Privacy rule: Product facts only. No customer names or order data.
Rule to know: The FTC says an unqualified "Made in USA" claim means the product is all or virtually all made in the U.S., and qualified claims (such as "60% U.S. content") must be truthful and substantiated. (FTC)
2. Sale announcement with a former-price check
Prompt template (replace every [BRACKET] with your facts):
Write a sale announcement (email under 150 words and a 40-word post) for [SALE NAME], [DATES]. Items and prices: [ITEM: SALE PRICE; FORMER PRICE; DATES WE ACTUALLY SOLD AT THE FORMER PRICE]. Use "was" or "compare at" only for items where I gave the dates we openly offered the former price. For any item without those dates, show only the sale price. List the items where you removed a comparison. No countdown claims I didn't give, and no "lowest price ever" unless I say so. If any fact you need is missing, write [CHECK] instead of guessing. After the draft, list every [CHECK] and anything you assumed.
Example input: Fall sweaters $59 (was $88, sold at $88 since Sept 1); scarves $18 (was $30, no regular-price history: new this week); candles 20% off ($28 to $22.40, sold at $28 since July).
What to expect: Expect a sale email and a post with "was $88" for sweaters and the candle discount, scarves shown only at $18, and a note that you dropped the scarf comparison because it was never offered at $30.
Check before you send:
- Facts: every former price was your real, regular price for a reasonably substantial period.
- Numbers: you recompute every percentage ($28 x 0.8 = $22.40).
- Names: product names and sale dates right.
- Tone: exciting without fake urgency.
Privacy rule: No customer lists; merge names in your email tool.
Rule to know: The FTC's Guides Against Deceptive Pricing say a former price is a legitimate basis for a comparison when it's the actual, bona fide price the item was openly offered at on a regular basis for a reasonably substantial period; an inflated price set up to advertise a big reduction is fictitious. (eCFR)
3. Shipping-time promise and delay notice
Prompt template (replace every [BRACKET] with your facts):
Write two things for our online shop. (1) A shipping-time line for product pages and checkout, based on how long we actually take: [OUR REAL PROCESSING AND SHIPPING TIMES]. (2) A delay notice for order ["your order", NO NUMBER] that won't ship by the time we stated [STATED DATE]: new date [NEW DATE], reason [REASON], and a clear choice: "Reply WAIT to keep your order, or CANCEL for a full refund to your original payment method." State what happens if they don't reply [OUR POLICY]. Under 120 words. If any fact you need is missing, write [CHECK] instead of guessing. After the draft, list every [CHECK] and anything you assumed.
Example input: Real times: ships in 2 to 3 business days, delivery 3 to 5 business days. Delay: restock of a candle delayed by the maker; new ship date Dec 2; if no reply, we'll keep the order and ship Dec 2.
What to expect: Expect a one-line shipping promise that matches your real times and a short, apologetic delay notice with the new date, WAIT or CANCEL choice, refund method and what happens without a reply.
Check before you send:
- Facts: the promise matches how fast you really ship.
- Numbers: dates are business days where you said so.
- Names: product and maker names right (no blame).
- Tone: apologetic and clear; cancelling is easy.
Privacy rule: No order numbers, addresses or card details in the chat.
Rule to know: The FTC's Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule says you need a reasonable basis for any shipping time you state, ship within 30 days if you state none, and when there's a delay, notify the buyer and give the option to agree to the delay or cancel for a prompt refund. (FTC)
How many hours would they give back?
Fill in at least one workflow.
Rules to know before you post or send
The FTC's Guides Against Deceptive Pricing say a former price is a legitimate basis for a price comparison when it's the actual, bona fide price at which the item was openly offered to the public on a regular basis for a reasonably substantial period; a price inflated so a sale looks bigger is fictitious (16 CFR 233.1). Comparisons with other stores' prices must reflect real prices in your area. The sale workflow keeps "was" prices only where you supply the dates you charged them.
For online and phone orders, the FTC's Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule says you need a reasonable basis for any shipping time you state, must ship within 30 days if you don't state one, and, when you can't ship on time, must notify the customer and let them agree to the delay or cancel for a prompt refund (FTC business guide). An unqualified "Made in USA" claim means the product is all or virtually all made here (FTC Made in USA). Collab posts disclose payment, free product or commission in the post itself (FTC Disclosures 101), and the reviews rule bars fake reviews (FTC rule Q&A). Check your state's rules on posting return policies and sales tax.
What stays out of the chat
Whatever the workflow, don't paste Social Security numbers, ITINs, driver's license or passport numbers, or photos of IDs; bank, card or loan account numbers and routing numbers; health information about a named person: diagnoses, medications, allergies, disability details; passwords and door, lockbox, alarm or gate codes; signed contracts, leases or applications with personal details still on them; anything a client told you in confidence. Use first names or roles, type only the facts a draft needs, and set your AI tool's chat history and training options to the most private choice it offers. The FTC's guide for businesses puts it as take stock, scale down, lock it, pitch it and plan ahead (FTC). If staff use AI tools too, the Small Business AI Use Policy Kit puts these rules in a written policy. The free AI tool risk check shows how much business data is going into AI tools now.
All 13 workflows in the kit
- Product description from the tag and spec sheet
- Sale announcement with a former-price check
- Shipping-time promise and delay notice
- Return and exchange policy in plain English
- New arrivals email and post
- Back-in-stock and hold message
- Vendor reorder and damaged-shipment email
- Replies to common DM and chat questions
- Maker or creator collab post with disclosure
- Weekly floor brief for staff
- In-store event invitation
- Replies to online reviews
- Review request to every customer
Each comes with the same five parts as the samples above. Related: Inventory Tracker and Reorder Workbook · Online Seller Payout Reconciliation Kit · Multi-State Sales Tax Tracker. Other trades: real estate agents · contractors and home service pros · salons and beauty pros · restaurants and food vendors · landlords and property managers · freelancers and creatives · auto repair shops · insurance agents · fitness studios and personal trainers · home care agencies · nonprofits. Or start at the AI workflows hub.
Sources
- eCFR: 16 CFR Part 233, FTC Guides Against Deceptive Pricing
- FTC: Business guide to the Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule
- FTC: Complying with the Made in USA standard
- FTC: Disclosures 101 for social media influencers
- FTC: The Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule, questions and answers
- FTC: Protecting personal information, a guide for business
General information checked November 2026 against the official sources above, not legal advice. Check your state and local rules. No AI product or vendor is recommended; the workflows work in any chat assistant. The calculator runs in your browser, and nothing you enter is sent or saved.
Common questions
Can I show a "was" or "compare at" price in my sale?
Yes, if it's the real price you openly offered the item at on a regular basis for a reasonably substantial period, which is the FTC's test in 16 CFR 233. Don't use a price you never really charged. The sale workflow removes comparisons for items without that history.
What do I owe customers when an online order ships late?
The FTC's mail order rule says to have a reasonable basis for the shipping time you state, ship within 30 days if you state none, and if there's a delay, tell the customer and give them the choice to agree to the new date or cancel for a prompt refund.
Can my listing say "Made in USA"?
Only if the product is all or virtually all made in the United States, per the FTC. Otherwise use what the label says, such as "Made in Portugal", or a qualified claim you can back up. The product workflow flags origin claims for you to check.
Is it OK to paste my customer list into an AI tool to write emails?
No. Write the email as a template and merge names in your email or point-of-sale system. Customer lists, order numbers, addresses and card details stay out of the chat.
Do creators I work with need to disclose the collab?
If they're paid, get free product or earn a commission, the FTC says the relationship goes in the post itself in plain words. The collab workflow writes your post and a suggested disclosure line for theirs.