If you have ever typed something into ChatGPT and thought "that is not quite what I meant", you are not alone. The good news is that getting better answers from AI is not about being technical or clever. It is simply about learning how to ask.
Think of it like talking to a very capable new colleague. If you say "write me something about marketing", they will produce something generic. But if you say "write me a short LinkedIn post about why small businesses should try email marketing, aimed at people who are not very tech-savvy, in a friendly and encouraging tone" -- well, now they have something to work with.
The four things every good prompt needs
You do not need all four every time, but the more of these you include, the better your result will be.
- →Context: Who are you, and what is the situation? (e.g. "I run a small bakery in Bristol")
- →Task: What do you actually want the AI to do? Be specific.
- →Format: How do you want the answer? A list? A short paragraph? A table? A step-by-step guide?
- →Tone: Should it be formal, friendly, funny, professional? Tell it.
Try this formula: "Act as [role]. I need [task] for [audience]. Please write it in [tone] and format it as [format]." It sounds simple, but it works brilliantly.
A real example: before and after
Before (vague prompt)
Write me an email about my meeting.
After (clear prompt)
Write a short, friendly email to a client called Sarah to confirm our meeting on Thursday at 2pm. Mention that we will be discussing her website redesign project. Keep it warm but professional, and finish with a line asking if the time still works for her.
The second prompt takes about 20 extra seconds to write, but the result will be something you can actually send without editing it first.
Do not be afraid to push back
One of the most underused features of AI tools is the follow-up. If the first answer is not quite right, just say so. Try "That is good, but can you make it shorter?" or "I like this, but can you make the tone a bit warmer?" or even "Start again, but this time write it as if you are explaining it to someone who has never used AI before."
AI tools are designed to iterate with you. You are not locked into the first response. Think of it as a conversation, not a one-shot question.
A few things to avoid
- →Being too vague: "Help me with my business" gives the AI nothing to work with.
- →Asking too many things at once: Break complex requests into smaller steps.
- →Forgetting to say who it is for: The audience changes everything.
- →Accepting the first answer if it is not right: Always ask for a revision.
Writing good prompts is a skill, and like any skill, it gets easier with practice. The more you use AI tools, the more naturally it will come. Start simple, be specific, and do not be shy about asking it to try again.
