Building Better AI Prompts - A Simple Guide

We've come up with a simple way to help you create super effective prompts that AI will understand easily. It's a simple ‘prompt structure’ which is kinda like a recipe with five key ingredients:

1. Task/Role

What it is: Think of this as the job you're giving the AI. Do you need a brainstorming buddy? A fact-finding expert? A funny poem writer? Be as specific as possible!

Easy to understand: It's like telling your friend, "For this project, I need you to be the creative idea person."

Example: Please take on the role of a seasoned travel guide creating a personalized itinerary for a client.

2. Context

What it is: This is all about filling the AI in on the background of your request. Give it as much detail as you can – think who, what, where, when, and why. Remember, when it comes to prompting, context is KING!

Easy to understand: Imagine you ask your friend for advice. They'll give you a way better answer if you explain the whole situation, not just one small part of it.

Example: The clients are a couple in their 50s who enjoy history, art, and local cuisine. They're planning a 10-day trip to Italy in September and want to visit Rome, Florence, and Venice. They prefer a relaxed pace with a mix of guided tours and free time to explore on their own

3. Objective

What it is: This is what you want to get out of the whole thing! What's the end goal you're hoping the AI will help you reach? This will help the AI align the output to your objective and goals.

Easy to understand: It's like saying, "I want to make a birthday card for my grandma, can you help?" Instead of just, "Can you write me a poem?"

Example: I want to create a detailed itinerary that covers the main attractions in each city, includes recommendations for authentic local restaurants, and allows for some flexibility in the schedule.

4. Guidelines & Instructions

What it is: These are your special requests or rules for the AI. Maybe you want a formal tone, or to avoid certain topics, or need the answer to fit a certain length.

Easy to understand: It's like telling your friend, "Let's brainstorm some party ideas, but it has to be super budget-friendly."

Example: Please prioritize visiting major historical sites and art museums, and suggest at least one off-the-beaten-path experience in each city. Keep travel times between cities to a minimum, and recommend hotels in central locations with easy access to public transportation. The overall budget for the trip is $8,000, excluding flights.

5. Presentation

What it is: Tell the AI how you want it to present the information. Should it be a list, a paragraph, a poem, or something else?

Easy to understand: Imagine asking for driving directions. Do you want just a text list, or a map with the route highlighted? The way information is presented makes a difference!

Example: Present the itinerary in a day-by-day format, with bullet points for each activity, including duration, location, and brief descriptions. Provide a separate list of recommended restaurants for each city, including price range and cuisine type.

This five-step 'prompt recipe' isn't a magic trick, but it's pretty close! It's the secret to creating clear and effective prompts that help AI understand exactly what you need.

Here's another example:

Task/Role: Please take on the role of a professional resume writer helping a client improve their resume.

Context: The client is a recent college graduate with a degree in marketing, applying for entry-level positions in digital marketing agencies. They have completed two relevant internships and have some experience with social media management and content creation.

Objective: I want to create a compelling resume that highlights the client's skills and experiences relevant to digital marketing, and makes them stand out to potential employers.

Guidelines & Instructions: Focus on the client's internship experiences and academic projects related to digital marketing. Use industry-specific keywords and quantify achievements where possible. Keep the resume concise and visually appealing, using a modern template. Avoid including irrelevant information or personal details.

Presentation: Please provide the updated resume content in a standard resume format, with clear headings for each section (e.g., Education, Experience, Skills). Include a brief summary statement at the top that encapsulates the client's key strengths and career goals.

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For more advanced prompt training, check out our Advanced Prompt Mastery Course here: https://www.advancedpromptmastery.com