Wondering why your AI results are missing the mark? Looking for a simple framework to maximize your AI prompting results?
In this article, you'll learn how to craft precise AI prompts to save time, deliver value, and boost profitability.
The Perfect Prompting Framework
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an essential tool for marketers and content creators. However, with that massive adoption comes the struggle to get the best results from AI platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, and Google Gemini. Fortunately, the following Perfect Prompting Framework will help you use AI effectively and efficiently.
By following this AI prompt framework and experimenting with advanced techniques like AI interviews and voice interactions, you can significantly improve the quality and relevance of your AI-generated content.
Whether you're a marketer, content creator, or business owner, mastering these AI prompt engineering skills will help you save time, deliver more value, and become more profitable using AI tools.
#1: Define the AI's Role
The first step to getting generative AI to deliver what you need is to tell it who you want it to act like. By defining the AI's role, you're narrowing its vast knowledge base to a specific area of expertise. This helps ensure that the responses you receive are more relevant and tailored to your needs.
For example:
Act as an expert copywriter who specializes in writing engaging social media posts.
Act as an experienced digital marketing strategist with expertise in AI technology.
#2: Provide Contextual Details
Next, provide the AI with some background information to help it understand the specific circumstances surrounding your request. This will lead to more accurate and helpful responses.
This could include:
- Uploading relevant documents (e.g., contracts, spreadsheets, PDFs)
- Pasting links to resources (Note: This works with ChatGPT and Google Gemini, but not with Claude)
- Explaining the situation or project in detail
For instance, if you're planning a trip, you might say:
I'm going to Mexico City to visit clients. I'm bringing my family and would like to identify some activities we could do together while I'm in meetings.
When reviewing a contract, you could say:
I've recently signed a contract with a new partner. I need to review the contract, and I'm looking for you to identify any aspects that need to be amended to mitigate my liability.
#3: Ask Your Question
Now, it's time to ask your specific question or make your request. Focus on one thing at a time to get your desired output. Instead of asking about activities, restaurants, flights, and hotels all at once, stick to a single topic per prompt.
By keeping your questions focused, you allow the AI to provide more detailed and relevant answers without getting overwhelmed or confused by multiple requests.
For example:
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Or click the button below for more information.
What are some family-friendly activities in Mexico City that we could do in the evenings or on weekends?
When reviewing a contract, you could say:
Please review the attached contract and identify any clauses that could pose a financial risk to my company.
#4: Request Clarifying Questions
This final step is crucial for getting the most accurate and relevant responses. It allows the AI to gather any additional information it needs to provide a more precise answer. Without giving the AI permission to ask for more information, you might miss out on more accurate and tailored responses.
Simply add:
Please ask me any clarifying questions that you need in order to give me the best possible response.
For example, when asking about activities in Mexico City, the AI might ask:
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GET THE DETAILS1. How old are your children?
2. What types of activities does your family enjoy?
3. Are there any specific areas of Mexico City you'd like to explore?
By answering these questions, you help the AI tailor its recommendations to your specific needs and interests.
Pro Tip: Some large language models, like Claude and Perplexity, have started asking clarifying questions without being explicitly prompted to do so. This shows the rapid advancement in AI's ability to engage in more natural, context-aware conversations.
4 Advanced Techniques for Innovative AI Applications
AI Interviews
For more complex tasks, consider asking the AI to interview you. This structured approach can be beneficial when you're not sure what information to provide upfront and allows you to provide detailed information without having to think of everything upfront. It's particularly useful for brainstorming, planning projects, or exploring complex topics.
Here's how to do it:
1. Tell the AI to interview you about your topic.
2. Ask it to pose thought-provoking questions to uncover key insights.
3. Request that it ask no more than three questions at a time.
For example:
Conduct an interview with me to gather insights for creating a compelling social media post about why digital agencies need to embrace AI for marketing content creation. Ask thought-provoking questions that will help uncover the key benefits, challenges, and future implications of AI adoption in digital marketing agencies. Please ask no more than three questions at one time.
As you respond, answer the questions to the best of your ability. Take your time to think through your responses—there's no rush. Continue the process until the AI has gathered enough information. Typically, this takes between 5 to 15 questions.
Pro Tip: If you get tired of answering questions, you can always tell the AI to stop and continue with the information you've provided by simply typing “continue.”
Analyze Tone and Style
AI can analyze the tone and style of any existing content. This can be particularly useful when creating content that matches a specific brand voice or when ghostwriting for someone else.
For example:
Analyze this author's page and blog posts to determine and learn their writing style and tone.
Data Analysis With AI
AI is also powerful for data analysis. You can upload spreadsheets and guidelines and then ask the AI to analyze the data according to specific parameters. This can save hours of manual analysis and provide insights you might have missed.
Voice AI for On-the-Go Productivity
Voice AI interfaces allow you to interact with AI assistants hands-free, making it perfect for brainstorming or planning while on the move. Note that current voice AI may interpret pauses as the end of your input, so try to speak in complete thoughts.
2 Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Expecting perfection with one prompt: AI can't read your mind, so don't expect it to give you a perfect response based on minimal information.
- Asking too much in a single prompt: Trying to cover too many topics in one prompt can lead to confused or incomplete responses.
Jonathan Mast is an AI marketing strategist and founder of White Beard Strategies, a consultancy that uses AI to help businesses and non-profits save time, deliver more value, and become more profitable. His course is AI Prompting Mastery, and his newsletter is the AI Prompting Insider. You can find him on Facebook.
Other Notes From This Episode
- Connect with Michael Stelzner @Stelzner on Facebook and @Mike_Stelzner on X.
- Watch this interview and other exclusive content from Social Media Examiner on YouTube.
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