Writing Your First Effective Prompt

The Anatomy of a Good Prompt

A well-structured prompt typically includes:

1. Role/Context - Who the AI should act as
2. Task - What you want it to do
3. Format - How you want the output structured
4. Constraints - Any limitations or requirements

The Simple Formula

[Context] + [Task] + [Format] + [Constraints] = Great Results

Examples in Action

Example 1: Content Creation

Basic Prompt: “Write a blog post about productivity”

Enhanced Prompt: “You’re a productivity coach for small business owners. Write a 300-word blog post about time-blocking. Use a friendly, encouraging tone. Include 3 practical tips and end with a call-to-action.”

Example 2: Problem Solving

Basic Prompt: “Help me organize my schedule”

Enhanced Prompt: “I’m a freelance designer with 3 client projects, each requiring 10 hours per week. I also need 5 hours for admin tasks and want to keep Fridays free. Create a weekly schedule that balances these commitments.”

The Power of Examples

When you want a specific style or format, show the AI an example:

“Write product descriptions similar to this style: [paste example]. Here are the products: [your products]“

Prompt Templates You Can Use

For Writing Tasks

“Write a [type of content] about [topic] for [audience]. Use a [tone] tone. Include [specific elements]. Keep it to [length].”

For Analysis Tasks

“Analyze [data/situation]. Focus on [specific aspects]. Identify [what you’re looking for]. Present findings as [format].”

For Creative Tasks

“Generate [number] ideas for [purpose]. Each should [requirements]. The audience is [description].”

Try This Now

Pick one of these scenarios and write a detailed prompt:

1. You need social media captions for a product launch
2. You want to explain a complex topic to a beginner
3. You need to outline a presentation on your area of expertise

Compare your first attempt with a revised version using the formula above.

Advanced Tip: Chain of Thought

For complex tasks, guide the AI through steps:

“Let’s plan a marketing campaign. First, help me identify my target audience. Then, suggest 3 key messages. Finally, recommend channels to reach them.”

Key Takeaways

• Structure matters more than length
• Provide context and constraints
• Use examples when you want specific styles
• Iterate and refine based on results
• Practice with real scenarios from your work