Prompting Tips

Better Prompts, Better Results

Well-written prompts lead to clearer, more useful responses. Use the strategies below to improve the quality of your outputs and make AI tools easier to work with.

1. Ask for Clarifying Questions

Example: “I need help writing a short proposal for a new client. Ask me 3 clarifying questions about their needs before you begin.”

2. Ask for Questions One at a Time

Example: “Help me create a simple marketing plan for my small business. Ask me 10 questions, one at a time, then write the plan.”

3. Add Clear Constraints

Example: “Explain SEO to a small business owner. Keep it under 120 words and include one simple example.”

4. Use a Specific Persona or Role

Example: “Explain what an invoice is like an experienced bookkeeper teaching a new business owner.”

5. Request Counterarguments or Dissenting Views

Example: “List reasons why a small business should not offer monthly subscriptions, even if the idea seems attractive.”

6. Specify the Output Format

Example: “Compare three popular invoicing tools for freelancers in a Markdown table with columns for Tool, Price, and Best For.”

7. Combine Multiple Techniques

Example Prompt: “You are a small business marketing advisor. Help me create a simple marketing plan for my business. Ask me 10 questions, one at a time, before writing the plan. Keep the final plan clear, practical, and easy to scan. Before finalizing it, list the main risks and explain why the plan still makes sense.”

8. Ask It to Create or Improve the Prompt

Example: “Create and improve an image prompt for a clean, modern coffee shop with people working on laptops.”

Quick Reminder

The more specific your prompt is, the better the result usually becomes. A vague prompt gets a vague answer. AI is many things, but a mind reader is not one of them.