The art of Prompt Crafting

It's no secret that ChatGPT has gained immense popularity, with discussions and articles about it flooding platforms like LinkedIn and other social media channels. But have you ever wondered how you can truly unlock its full potential? Now, more than ever, as ChatGPT becomes connected to the internet and evolves beyond the training data available up to 2021, there's a growing demand for "Prompt Engineers" who can harness its power.

So, how can you become a prompt engineer yourself? How can you acquire the skills to elevate your LinkedIn profile or how can ChatGPT become your personal job coach? And, perhaps most crucially, how do you master the art of crafting exceptional prompts that maximize the tool's capabilities?

In this ever-evolving landscape of AI, these questions hold the key to unlocking the true power of ChatGPT. By diving into the techniques and strategies shared in this article, including the brand new framework I've introduced, you'll gain the knowledge and insights needed to become a proficient prompt engineer. Whether you're seeking to enhance your career, expand your expertise, or make the most of ChatGPT's capabilities, this guide will empower you to take your journey to the next level.

So, let's embark on this exciting adventure together and discover the untapped potential of ChatGPT and the art of crafting exceptional prompts. Prepare to unlock new opportunities and possibilities that will propel you towards success in the world of AI-driven communication.

Become a prompt champion

First, let's define what we mean by "prompts." Maybe you've never heard about it before, and now it's popping up everywhere. In essence, a prompt is the information you provide to ChatGPT in order to get the desired response. Whether you're asking for job search tips or looking for inspiration on a new project, crafting effective prompts is key to getting the most out of this AI tool.

For example, some teachers have been able to identify when their students are using ChatGPT or other AI tools based on the language used in their writing. However, this is often a result of poorly crafted prompts. By sending the right prompts to ChatGPT, you can ensure that your writing style remains consistent and natural.

To illustrate, let's compare two different prompts. In the first example, we might use language that a student in their first year of a high-school program might use without knowledge about ChatGPT. This would likely raise red flags for a teacher who is familiar with the typical writing style of students at this level. On the other hand, if we craft a prompt that results in output that closely matches our own writing style, we can avoid detection and maximize the benefits of ChatGPT.

Context = key

When using ChatGPT without providing any context, it strives to provide the best possible answer based on the available data. However, determining what qualifies as the "best possible answer" can vary depending on the situation. That's why it's crucial to employ the "act as" syntax and be explicit when constructing prompts.

For instance, when seeking content generation from ChatGPT, employ words like "make," "compose," "create," "translate," "generate," or "(re)-write." Additionally, when specifying the role or persona ChatGPT should assume, be highly specific. Rather than simply stating "act as a student," provide detailed information such as "act as a first-year bachelor's student studying [subject] with English proficiency at level B1." This level of specificity ensures that the response is customized to your requirements and aligns with your distinct needs.

Conversely, if you encounter difficulties with a particular topic and require further explanation, you can ask ChatGPT to elucidate it "in simple terms suitable for a [desired gradle level] student." This approach can prove immensely helpful in gaining a comprehensive understanding of complex concepts while tailoring the explanation to your preferred level of comprehension.

By using this approach, you can gain even greater control over the responses you receive from ChatGPT, ensuring that the language used is appropriate and the content generated is relevant to your specific situation. So take the time to craft specific, detailed prompts, and you'll be amazed at the power of ChatGPT to help you achieve your career goals. Are you writing blogs, posts or anything else on the internet? Use it as input, so ChatGPT will match the output to your writing style!

The downsides

Although it is beneficial to have more control over the output of ChatGPT and similar tools, it is important to recognize the potential drawbacks. The developers of ChatGPT have taken steps to prevent misuse, which is praiseworthy. However, as mentioned earlier in this article, if you consider yourself a "prompt champion," it is possible to bypass these restrictions. While precautions have been implemented to deter activities such as creating phishing emails, they can still be relatively simple with the appropriate prompts. I believe that as you gain this understanding from the article, you will responsibly use this knowledge for positive purposes only.

How to Master CRAFTING AI Prompts like a Pro

To achieve exceptional outcomes with your prompts, apply these expert techniques and leverage the CRAFTING AI prompts framework that I have personally developed and introduced during one of my presentations. This framework has garnered success for both the attendees and myself, demonstrating its effectiveness in generating remarkable results.

CRAFTING AI prompts Framework (by Jeroen Egelmeers)

The CRAFTING AI prompts framework is designed to empower users in effectively utilizing ChatGPT for various writing and engagement tasks while ensuring ethical and responsible use. It consists of three essential parts: CRAFT, ING, and AI. Let's explore each component in detail:

CRAFT: The crafting phase focuses on providing specific details and context to enhance response quality. By framing prompts using natural language, ChatGPT better understands intentions, context, and nuances, resulting in a more conversational and human-like interaction. Additionally, specify writing style, acting roles, format requirements, and task objectives to guide ChatGPT accurately.

ING: The validation phase promotes interactive dialogue and integrates legal, security, and privacy considerations. Through fostering back-and-forth exchanges, refining inquiries, and collaborating with ChatGPT, you ensure that the generated responses align with ethical and responsible practices. By being mindful of non-disclosure agreements, data security, and privacy guidelines, your prompts maintain compliance, protect sensitive information, and establish clear goals. This approach enables you to derive meaningful insights while upholding confidentiality and achieving desired outcomes.

AI: The enhancement phase emphasizes staying proactive and embracing new possibilities. Adapt your approach by validating responses, making necessary adjustments, and refining prompts based on initial results. By continuously improving your prompts, you maximize the potential of AI tools and generate the best possible outcomes.

By adhering to the CRAFTING AI prompts framework, you can effectively utilize the capabilities of ChatGPT to improve your writing and enhance your overall engagement.

Let's delve into each aspect of the framework to gain a deeper understanding.

Crafting phase:

C - Context: For ChatGPT to fully grasp the context, it is essential to provide specific details using natural language. The more precise and detailed your information, the better the response will be. It is crucial to have a clear understanding of the scope and effectively communicate it to ChatGPT. Framing prompts in natural language is vital to achieve a more conversational and human-like response. By using natural language, ChatGPT can better understand your intentions, context, and nuances. This facilitates a smoother and more intuitive interaction, creating a prompt that feels like a genuine conversation.

In addition to general context, it is important to provide clear descriptions of examples, keywords, deadlines, citations, quotes, arguments, or counterarguments that should be considered. If specific laws need to be taken into account in the generated output, be sure to mention this in your prompt. This ensures that ChatGPT incorporates relevant information and contributes to high-quality responses. Providing such contextual details enhances the overall user experience and ensures that ChatGPT generates outputs aligned with your expectations. Finally, it's important to keep in mind that ChatGPT is a language model. While it excels in generating text and providing information, it may not be the best tool for solving complex math problems (yet). Instead of accurately solving math equations, it may attempt to guess the next word based on patterns it has learned. As an example, if you ask ChatGPT, "How much is 12345*78910," you receive an incorrect answer (974,396,450). Therefore, for complex math questions, it's still recommended to use dedicated math-solving tools.

R - Register (Writing Style): When formulating prompts, it is important to specify the desired writing style or register, taking into account factors such as formality, tone, vocabulary, and grammar. This is especially crucial when there are specific proficiency requirements or when attempting to mimic a particular writing style. For example, you can include phrases like "as a student with an English level [B1]" to inform ChatGPT about your language proficiency. It is also possible to provide writing samples or request considerations for language proficiency. Clearly indicate whether a formal or informal tone is preferred. Additionally, describe whether the use of specific terminologies or analogies is permitted or not, and specify the language in which the response should be provided. By providing such details, ChatGPT will generate responses accordingly.

A - Acting Role: Decide on the persona or role you want ChatGPT to take on, which can enhance engagement. Instruct ChatGPT to assume the role of a LinkedIn expert with a significant following, for instance. You can also request a specific point of view to explore multiple perspectives or opinions. By assigning an acting role, you guide ChatGPT's responses to align with the desired expertise or perspective, resulting in more targeted and relevant outputs.

Please note that manipulating factors such as years of expertise and the number of followers can significantly influence ChatGPT's responses. Therefore, it is essential to provide specific instructions to guide ChatGPT accurately towards your intended direction.

F - Format: Clearly state any specific formatting requirements you have for the output. For instance, you can specify if you'd like the content to be organized in a table format, include hashtags, bullet points, graphs, templates, or emoticons. Providing specific formatting instructions will help ensure that the generated output meets your desired structure and readability preferences.

Finally, utilizing parameters can be highly valuable as they enable customization of the generated output in ChatGPT. These adjustable settings allow you to fine-tune various aspects of the model's behavior. For example, you can leverage the "temp=" parameter to control the temperature and adjust the level of creativity in the output. Parameters provide the flexibility to tailor the characteristics of the generated responses to your specific needs. If you would like to explore the complete list of parameters available in ChatGPT, simply ask, "Which parameters does ChatGPT have?" It's important to note that while you can adjust these parameters when using OpenAI's API, there may be specific constraints or limitations depending on the platform or implementation you are using.

T - Task: Clearly state the task or purpose of the prompt. Use words such as "make," "compose," "create," "summarize," "translate," "generate," "revise," "review," or "(re)-write." For example, ask ChatGPT to compose a LinkedIn post on a specific topic or revise this article. Ask ChatGPT to summarize your PDF file and you can also provide a clear call to action. Ensure that your desired goal is unambiguous, and concentrate on a single task to achieve the best results. If you want ChatGPT to strictly adhere to your instructions without deviation, conclude your prompt with "Strictly follow these instructions." Conversely, if you wish to disregard any previous instructions, include the word "stop" followed by the action you want to halt. If you want to start with a clean slate and reset any previous instructions, simply prompt: "Reset previous instructions and start fresh." This will enable you to provide a new task or request without any carryover from prior instructions. And finally, if you want to break it up, use "Take a deep breath and work on it step by step."

Validation phase:

I - Interactive: Crafting prompts that promote interactive dialogue is essential for fostering dynamic and engaging conversations with ChatGPT. This encourages a back-and-forth exchange and collaborative problem-solving, enabling you to explore ideas, seek clarification, and refine your inquiries. The interactive nature of prompts enhances the overall experience, helping derive meaningful insights from ChatGPT's responses, which becomes particularly valuable when dealing with large amounts of data. Reflection, a key aspect of this interactive approach, involves designing prompts that explicitly reference and build upon previous input or context. By incorporating reflection, you empower ChatGPT to respond coherently and contextually, demonstrating awareness of the conversation flow, addressing specific points, and generating interactive and dynamic responses. Leveraging reflection in prompts facilitates a more engaging experience, fostering deeper interaction and improving the quality of generated prompts.

Another instance involves organizing the output in a tabular format, with each row assigned a unique ID. This approach allows you to seek clarification for specific entries by referencing their corresponding IDs. Consequently, you can generate ideas and evaluate their suitability for your requirements. If a particular idea aligns with your needs, you can inquire further to obtain additional information about it. This method enhances the efficiency of communication with ChatGPT and enables a more structured and targeted exchange of information.

N - Non-disclosure: When crafting prompts, it is crucial to incorporate legal, security, and privacy considerations. Protect sensitive information and ensure compliance with non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). Specify any constraints or guidelines related to data security and privacy to maintain ethical practices. It's important to execute this validation step before submitting your prompt. Once you send it to an AI tool, it may be saved and exposed to the internet, so exercise caution and discretion. Safeguarding confidentiality is paramount in this process.

G - Goal-driven: Clearly defining your goals and objectives in your prompts is essential for guiding ChatGPT to provide accurate and relevant answers. By specifying your desired outcomes and indicating the specific information or insights you are seeking, ChatGPT can better align its responses to meet your expectations. This goal-driven approach ensures that ChatGPT understands your intent and focuses its responses to address your specific needs effectively.

Also, once you have sent the prompt, it is important to validate the outcome and verify if it aligns with your expected results. Additionally, you may want to ensure that the output is accurate and factual, rather than a creative or imaginative response, especially when dealing with legal documents or other areas where precision is crucial. If necessary, you can adjust the formatting parameters (F) to optimize the output and improve its relevance to your needs.

Enhancement phase:

AI - Adapt and Improve: As AI tools evolve rapidly, it's important to adapt and improve your strategy and prompts. The "AI" aspect of the framework reminds you to refine your output by asking follow-up questions and adapting your approach based on the initial results. Validate the response and make adjustments as necessary. Additionally, continuously improving your prompts and embracing new possibilities is crucial for generating the best possible outcomes. Stay proactive and adaptable to ensure ongoing success with these powerful tools.

It is not necessary to format your prompt following each step individually, but it is important to include all the elements of the framework within your prompt. A valid prompt that encompasses all parts of the framework could be: "Acting as a [role], perform [task], in [format requirements], use [register/writing style] and use this context: [context]." By incorporating these components in your prompt, you provide ChatGPT with the necessary instructions and guidance to generate a response that aligns with your specific requirements.

By following these expert techniques, you can craft prompts that elicit remarkable responses from ChatGPT, taking your writing and engagement to new heights. If you're looking for specific examples for each element in this framework, you can copy and paste the text describing the framework to ChatGPT and ask for examples directly from the AI. This way, you can explore and experience the examples firsthand, enabling you to understand how to apply the framework effectively. So go ahead, interact with ChatGPT and discover the power of this framework in generating remarkable responses!

Please be aware that this is an iterative process, which means that after the enhancement phase, you will return to the crafting phase. You can adapt and improve the generated output by writing another prompt , utilizing the interactive (I) approach to refine it towards your desired goal (G), while considering the non-disclosure (N) constraints. In your follow-up prompt, you can build upon the previous output without reiterating all of the CRAFT elements. Instead, concentrate on the elements that will improve and contribute to the output's enhancement (I).

PRO tip: If you want to apply these techniques to other AI tools, such as MidJourney, which employ a similar approach, you can leverage ChatGPT to generate an illustrative prompt for MidJourney if you don't obtain the desired output. By prompting ChatGPT using the methods you learned earlier, you can apply the same principles and strategies to achieve visually engaging results for your interactions with MidJourney or other AI tools. The images below, featuring a hedgehog writing this article (as my surname starts with "hedgehog" in Dutch), along with the infographic above, were created using this approach as an example. Imagine the limitless possibilities when combining different AI tools. Now, with a simple prompt, I can create awesome images for slidedecks or my blogs.

The Possibilities are Limitless!

Have you ever wished for a job coach who is always available, anytime, anywhere, right at your fingertips? Look no further than ChatGPT!

One technique I've found effective is writing monthly reviews that highlight my personal needs and interests to reflect on it later. By using this context in my prompt (without sharing any sensitive or confidential information (more on privacy and security below)) and instructing ChatGPT to "act as" my personal job coach with expertise in IT (remember the "A", from "CRAFT"), I've been amazed at the results.

With ChatGPT as your personal job coach, you can receive personalised guidance on career development, job search strategies, and more, all tailored to your specific interests and goals. And by keeping your prompts focused and specific, you can get the most out of this powerful tool.

The fun thing here is, that if you set it up correctly, you can continue in the thread on any specific moment you desire using the history tab of ChatGPT. So if something pops up in your mind, you can just ask for advice, and it has all your previous input available which it will also use in your next prompts. Of course, this wil not replace real personal job coaches, but it is definitely an addition, as it is available, at any given moment you desire.

Boost your LinkedIn

Almost everything that is text-based can be done by ChatGPT. So lately, I am not writing my own job descriptions, summaries or anything else on LinkedIn no-more, I'll ask ChatGPT for that. Yes, also this blog was re-written and reviewed by ChatGPT.

Now, you have the opportunity to receive a comprehensive review of your complete LinkedIn profile. You can seek advice and feedback from professionals in various roles, including influential individuals like a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) from a prominent IT consultancy, who can provide valuable insights specific to your field. Simply instruct ChatGPT to "act as a CTO from a big IT consultancy" as mentioned earlier, and leverage their expertise to enhance your LinkedIn profile and professional presence.

How can you do this?

First, go to your LinkedIn profile, and download a copy in PDF of it. This can be done following the "more" button on your profile, and then click on "Save to PDF".

You can utilize the downloaded PDF as input for your prompt, specifically to provide context (C) within the CRAFTING AI prompts framework. If your profile contains extensive information, consider selecting and copying only the first one or two pages since recruiters often focus on that section. Alternatively, choose the content that is readily visible on your profile without expanding any "Show-all" sections. When interacting with ChatGPT, paste this selected information as the context input.

Now that you have established the ideal context, it's time to unleash the unlimited potential of prompts! Engage ChatGPT to address your inquiries and enhance various sections of your LinkedIn profile.

Let's consider an example where you want to tailor your LinkedIn towards CTOs. Enter the following prompt: "Use the following context, which is my LinkedIn profile, for the upcoming prompts. Please reply with 'Accepted' if you understand the context: [paste your LinkedIn profile copy here]"

With the (C) step completed, we can now proceed to the next prompt to generate the output: "Act as a CTO and review my LinkedIn summary. Based on your feedback, rewrite it while maintaining the same formatting and writing style as my current summary. However, make it more engaging for CTOs at prominent tech companies. Keep the summary concise, consisting of a maximum of three paragraphs."

By following these steps, we have successfully covered multiple aspects of the CRAFTING AI prompts framework. We acted as a CTO (A), retained the formatting and writing style (R and F), and effectively rewrote the summary (T). In addition, I ensured non-disclosure (N) by only copying and pasting the first three publicly available pages without any personal data, such as email addresses. With the interactive nature of this process (I), I can now follow up and further refine the output as needed. It allows me to assess if my goal (G) has been achieved or if I should proceed with another iteration, adapting and improving (AI) accordingly. For example, in scenarios where creativity may not be desirable, such as when the focus is on precision and control, parameters like setting temp=0 can be introduced to ensure a more structured approach.

Personally, I find it incredibly helpful for crafting compelling LinkedIn posts and optimizing my job description. Here's my workflow: I start by composing a rough draft, freely expressing my ideas without worrying about spelling or other details. Then, I harness the power of ChatGPT as a LinkedIn expert to refine and perfect the final output. It's like having a skilled collaborator to enhance my writing. With the "ING" aspect of the framework in mind, I can fully embrace the freedom to express myself while letting ChatGPT handle the rest. It's a seamless partnership that takes my LinkedIn presence to new heights!

Unlocking the Power of Automation!

In this article, we've explored the framework for crafting effective prompts to maximize the potential of ChatGPT. However, there's another exciting aspect we shouldn't overlook—automation. With the integration of ChatGPT into various tools, the possibilities are endless.

While the previous examples focused on manually entering prompts and executing them, there are powerful automation tools like Zapier that can take it to the next level. Imagine this scenario: you receive a specific email, and based on its content, you want ChatGPT to perform certain actions. By crafting a prompt using the framework we discussed, you can automate the handling of your emails seamlessly. I have also come across examples of people integrating Zapier with Jira, a tool used by software development teams to track progress and manage requirements. By implementing a Zapier automation, you can trigger ChatGPT to refine and enhance newly created stories in Jira without manual intervention. This seamless integration has the potential to save considerable time and effort. However, it's important to consider the "ING" (and particularly the "N") aspect of the framework if you plan to implement this in your organization. Just imagine the efficiency gained by leveraging this method, where tasks are automated and enhanced with the power of ChatGPT.

But it doesn't stop there. Automation can extend to various areas, including email campaigns, Salesforce, CRM systems, the Google and Microsoft suites, databases, and much more. By integrating ChatGPT (or other AI tools) into these tools, you can streamline your workflows and accomplish tasks without lifting a finger.

Another viable option is to utilize the API offered by OpenAI (for ChatGPT), enabling a direct integration with your applications. By leveraging the ChatGPT API, you can seamlessly connect ChatGPT to your software solutions, unlocking a wide range of possibilities. Whether you're developing a customer support system, a virtual assistant, or any application that requires natural language processing, integrating the ChatGPT API empowers you to deliver enhanced user experiences. With this approach, you can say farewell to mundane interactions and embrace a new era of dynamic and engaging interactions within your applications.

Embrace the power of automation and leverage ChatGPT's capabilities to enhance your productivity and efficiency. Let your creativity soar as you explore the endless possibilities of integrating ChatGPT with your favorite automation tools.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that a multitude of IT companies and commonly used applications are actively working towards integrating such capabilities. Industry giants like Microsoft and Google have already showcased their commitment to AI during recent conferences, emphasizing its prominent role in their upcoming releases. As these advancements continue to unfold, possessing comprehensive knowledge on leveraging language models becomes increasingly indispensable. Staying informed and adept in utilizing these powerful tools will be paramount in keeping pace with the evolving landscape of technology.

One notable example of these transformative changes is evident in the Microsoft Teams application, where users will soon have the ability to prompt any recording for comprehensive summaries of each participant's contributions. The significance of crafting effective prompts becomes even more apparent in such scenarios, as the quality of prompts directly impacts the value and accuracy of the generated summaries. Recognizing the potential of these advancements and mastering the art of prompt crafting will be key in unlocking the full potential of AI-driven tools and staying ahead in this ever-changing technological landscape.

"AI will not replace you, but people who use it will."

Legal, Security and privacy

It's crucial to be aware of the legal and security concerns that companies have faced when sharing sensitive information with ChatGPT. ChatGPT is an open playground primarily used for research purposes, where any content shared in the "chat" can be utilized for research, even if not directly used to train the model. Therefore, it's important to exercise caution and understand that any input provided to ChatGPT could potentially become publicly accessible. This underscores the significance of including the non-disclosure (N) part as an essential component within the framework, ensuring the protection of sensitive information.

For instance...

Using coding extensions in your IDE that involve ChatGPT might not be ideal. Instead, treat it as you would use StackOverflow. Your queries and responses will be publicly accessible for everyone's use. Therefore, consider converting it into a Proof of Concept (POC) and then pose questions similar to those asked on StackOverflow. This way, you receive instant output without having to wait for replies.

If you employ my monthly review example for accessing your personal job coach, ensure you replace company information with mock data that only you can relate to. This approach restricts the content to your specific requirements while respecting privacy.

Thank you

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. If you're interested in delving deeper into these topics or continuing the conversation, I invite you to connect with me on LinkedIn. You can find me there and stay updated on my latest insights and updates. I'm always thrilled to meet new individuals who share similar interests and exchange knowledge.

Additionally, if you have any upcoming events or conferences, please don't hesitate to inform me. I would love to participate and engage with the community. Your feedback on the framework is also highly appreciated. Please let me know if you have any suggestions or insights so that I can adapt and improve it further.

I'm excited to connect with you and explore the fascinating world of AI prompts together!