AI: How to prompt like a pro

The art of talking to AI 

In a world where AI tools are becoming essential for work, creativity, and problem-solving, knowing how to communicate effectively is a skill worth mastering. Whether you’re using AI for brainstorming, research, content creation, or coding, crafting the right prompt can mean the difference between a generic response and something truly valuable. 

Be specific but not overly restrictive 

Think of AI as an assistant. You want to provide enough detail for clarity but leave room for creativity. 

• Bad prompt: "Write an article about sustainability." 

• Better prompt: "Write an engaging and informative article about why sustainability is essential for businesses. Keep it under 500 words and include three key takeaways." 

• Pro tip: If the first response isn’t perfect, refine it! Treat AI like a collaborator – adjust your prompt and iterate. 

Give AI a role to play 

Give the AI a role or persona to shape the response. What I mean by this is specifying who or what the AI should ‘act like’ when generating a response. This helps shape the tone, depth, and perspective of the answer. 

• Bad prompt: "Explain the importance of cybersecurity." 

• Better prompt: "Imagine you’re a cybersecurity expert explaining the importance of online security to someone with no technical background. Use simple language and real-world examples." 

• Pro tip: Try different personas. “Explain it like a university professor” vs. “Explain it like a YouTube tech reviewer” will give you different (and sometimes surprising) results. 

Structure your prompts for clarity 

Use clear formatting – give the lists, steps, or sections to guide AI’s thinking. 

• Bad prompt: "Give me ideas for a blog about personal finance." 
• Better prompt: "I need a blog post outline on personal finance for beginners. Structure it like this:
  • Introduction: Why financial literacy matters. 
  • Budgeting basics. 
  • Saving vs. investing.
  • Common financial mistakes to avoid. 
  • Conclusion: Key takeaways and next steps.
• Pro tip: The more precise your structure, the more organissed the response. 

Use parameters to improve results

Set clear limits on word count, tone, and format. This helps ensure the AI’s response aligns with your needs. 

• Bad prompt: "Summarise this article." 

• Better prompt: "Summarise this article in three bullet points, keeping each point under 20 words." 

• Pro tip: If AI keeps ignoring your parameters, try rewording: "Summarise in EXACTLY three bullet points" instead of "Summarise in three bullet points." 

Give examples of tone and style 

Show AI what kind of tone you want with examples. This helps it match your style more accurately 

• Bad prompt: "Write an ad for a new coffee brand." 

• Better prompt: "Write a playful and bold ad for a new coffee brand. Here’s an example of the style I like: [insert example]." 

• Pro tip: If you don’t have an example, describe the tone: "Make it sound like a VW ad but for coffee." 

AI is a powerful tool, but it’s only as good as your prompts. And prompting well isn’t just about getting better AI responses – it’s about thinking clearly as a communicator. The more precise and intentional you are, the more you’ll get out of AI. Even great prompts don’t always get perfect results on the first try. So next time you’re staring at a blank prompt, remember to be specific, set a role and structure, add constraints, give examples, and iterate. With these tips, you’ll prompt like a pro and make AI work for you – not the other way around.