When it comes to getting helpful, relevant answers from AI, it helps to know what makes a prompt work. Here’s a down-to-earth guide to the essentials—without the buzzwords or tech speak.
What Makes a Prompt Effective?
1. Clear Aim
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Say what you need, upfront. Instead of “Tell me about wellness,” ask “Share three practical wellness tips for busy business owners.”
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Avoid any vague terms—plain language always wins.
2. Useful Details
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Add important context. Who is this for? What format do you want?
For example: “Write a two-sentence hook for a newsletter aimed at female business owners.” -
Mention if there’s a tone you prefer (“friendly,” “straightforward,” “encouraging”).
3. Keep it Manageable
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Break BIG questions into bite-sized asks.
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If you feel stuck, start basic and get more specific in follow-ups. You can ALWAYS build on what you have.
4. Ask, Don’t Assume
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Avoid: “Make it sound awesome.”
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Try: “Use a conversational tone and offer one real-life example.”
5. Review and Adjust
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Read the response and see: Does it fit? If not, tweak your request. It’s normal to refine as you go.
When you put these together, you’re more likely to get answers that feel useful and genuine. Next time you’re about to use AI, treat your question like a clear note to a colleague—not a mystery to solve.
Want easy examples? I’m happy to share some in the next post!
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