Prompt Fundamentals
The difference between a useless AI response and a brilliant one is almost always the prompt. Learn the core principles: be specific, provide context, define the output format, and give examples of what you want.
Be specific about what you want. 'Write about dogs' → vague. 'Write a 300-word blog post about training a cocker spaniel puppy to walk on a lead, aimed at first-time dog owners, conversational tone' → useful.
Tell the AI what role to adopt: 'You are a senior marketing consultant with 20 years of experience in FMCG' frames the response immediately.
Show, don't tell: include an example of the output you want. One good example is worth 100 words of instruction.
Iterate. Your first prompt is a draft. Refine based on what comes back. The best prompters have conversations with AI, not one-shot exchanges.
Start with the ROLE: 'You are a [specific expert] with [specific experience]'
Define the TASK clearly: what exactly do you want the AI to produce?
Provide CONTEXT: background information the AI needs to do the job well
Specify the FORMAT: bullet points, table, essay, code, email, etc.
Set CONSTRAINTS: word count, tone, audience, things to avoid
Include EXAMPLES: show what good output looks like (even a rough one)
Add QUALITY CRITERIA: 'The response should be actionable / concise / backed by evidence'
ITERATE: Review the output, identify what's missing, and refine your prompt