Tips

How to Write AI Prompts That Actually Work

August 22, 2024 4 min read Updated: 2026-01-15

Bad prompts get bad results. Good prompts get good results.

This isn’t complicated, but most people never learn the basics.

The Core Principle

Vague prompt = vague output Specific prompt = useful output

That’s 80% of it.

The Basic Formula

[CONTEXT] + [SPECIFIC TASK] + [CONSTRAINTS] + [FORMAT]

Let’s break it down.

1. Context

Tell the AI who you are and what situation you’re in.

Bad: “Write an email to my boss.”

Good: “I’m a marketing manager. I need to tell my boss that a campaign is delayed. They’re understanding but busy and want brevity.”

Context changes everything.

2. Specific Task

Be explicit about what you want.

Bad: “Help me with this document.”

Good: “Review this document and identify: (1) unclear sections, (2) missing information, and (3) grammar errors. Provide specific suggestions for each.”

Vague asks get vague responses.

3. Constraints

Tell the AI what to include, exclude, or limit.

Bad: “Write about AI tools.”

Good: “Write about AI tools. Focus on productivity. For a non-technical audience. Under 500 words. No hype language.”

Constraints improve quality.

4. Format

Specify how you want the output structured.

Bad: “List some options.”

Good: “List 5 options in a table with columns: Name, Cost, Key Feature, Best For.”

Format requests get formatted answers.

Advanced Techniques

Give Examples

Show the AI what you want:

Write product descriptions in this style:

Example: "The XYZ Widget isn't just another gadget - it's the one you'll actually use. No setup, no manual, no BS. Just works."

Now write one for: [your product]

Assign a Role

Act as a senior copywriter with 15 years experience in B2B SaaS. Review my landing page copy and provide specific, actionable feedback.

Break Complex Tasks

Bad: “Write a business plan.”

Good:

  1. “Help me outline the key sections of a business plan for [idea].”
  2. “Now let’s work on the market analysis section. Here’s what I know: [info]”
  3. “Write the executive summary based on what we’ve developed.”

Use “Act” and “Don’t”

Write a product announcement.

Do:
- Lead with the benefit
- Use simple language
- Include a clear CTA

Don't:
- Use buzzwords like "revolutionary"
- Make it longer than 150 words
- Include technical specifications

Ask for Alternatives

Give me 5 different approaches to [problem]. For each, explain the trade-offs.

Request Reasoning

Recommend a solution and explain your reasoning step by step.

Common Mistakes

1. Being Too Brief

Problem: “Fix my email.”

Better: “Make this email more professional. It’s to a client who complained about a delay. I need to apologize without taking too much blame because the delay was partly their fault.”

2. Not Iterating

First response isn’t perfect? Say so.

“Make it more concise.” “Less formal.” “Focus more on X.” “That’s not quite right because [reason]. Try again with [adjustment].”

3. Assuming AI Knows Context

AI doesn’t know:

  • Your company
  • Your audience
  • Your preferences
  • Your situation

Tell it.

4. Accepting Bad Output

If output is wrong or unhelpful, say why and ask again. AI responds well to feedback within a conversation.

Quick Prompt Templates

Email Drafting

Write an email.
Context: [situation]
Recipient: [who and relationship]
Purpose: [what you want to achieve]
Tone: [formal/casual/etc]
Length: [word count or brevity preference]

Content Review

Review this [content type]:
[paste content]

Check for:
1. [specific thing]
2. [specific thing]
3. [specific thing]

Provide specific suggestions, not general feedback.

Brainstorming

I need ideas for [goal].
Context: [situation]
Constraints: [budget/time/other limits]
Give me 10 options ranging from safe to creative.

Learning

Explain [topic] to me.
My background: [relevant knowledge]
I need to understand it for: [purpose]
Use analogies and examples.

Problem Solving

I'm facing this problem: [describe]
I've tried: [what you've attempted]
Constraints: [limitations]
Help me think through solutions.

The 30-Second Test

Before hitting enter, ask:

  1. Would a stranger understand this? (Add context)
  2. Is the task crystal clear? (Be specific)
  3. Did I specify constraints? (Add limits)
  4. Do I know what format I want? (Request structure)

If no to any, revise your prompt.

The Truth

Prompting is a skill. It gets better with practice.

The best prompters aren’t using magic. They’re being clear, specific, and iterative.

Start with the basics. Get specific. Keep improving.

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