Artificial Intelligence (AI) may seem like magic, but it’s not a mind reader. It only works as well as the instructions you give it. Keep reading to break down how to write AI prompts that actually work.
Why AI Feels Useless Sometimes
If you’ve ever asked generative AI a question and gotten an answer that is vague, irrelevant or just plain wrong, you’re not alone. While it’s definitely frustrating, here’s the truth: AI is only as helpful as the instructions you give it.
AI tools like ChatGPT are incredibly powerful, but they don’t think the way people do. They don’t understand intent or nuance unless you give them context. In fact, a generic prompt like “Tell me about marketing” is likely to produce a generic result — one that sounds fine but ultimately doesn’t help you move forward.
We’ve seen it firsthand at Infomedia. Clients come to us after trying AI-generated content that didn’t hit the mark. Often, the issue isn’t the technology. It’s the prompt. The good news is that with the right approach, you can get AI to generate helpful, insightful and even strategic content.
The 5-Step Formula for Great AI Prompts
To get better results from AI, you need better input. Here’s a five-step guide to writing AI prompts that actually work.
1. Set the Role
Start by telling AI who it is. Just like you’d speak differently to a graphic designer than to a CFO, AI needs to know what perspective to take.
Instead of:
“Give me social media tips.”
Try:
“You are a social media strategist with 10 years of experience. Share five advanced strategies for growing an Instagram account in 2025.”
Why it works:
This instantly frames the response through a lens of expertise. You’re setting expectations for tone, depth and industry-specific knowledge — and that means better, more relevant content.
2. Provide Context
Be specific. Who is this content for? What do you want it to do? The more context you give, the less AI has to guess — and the more helpful the response becomes.
Instead of:
“Write a product description for a headset.”
Try:
“Write a playful, engaging product description (under 100 words) for a wireless, noise-canceling headset designed for gamers.”
Why it works:
The first version could apply to anyone. The second gives a tone, an audience, a word count and a product niche. All of this helps AI generate content that’s actually usable.
3. Tell AI How to Format the Output
AI will always guess how to deliver the response unless you tell it otherwise. If you know you want bullet points, a chart, a table or step-by-step instructions, say so.
Examples:
- “Summarize this in three bullet points.”
- “Create a pros-and-cons list.”
- “Format this as a blog outline with H2s and H3s.”
Why it works:
It’s not about micromanaging. It’s about clarity. You’re helping AI help you — and cutting down on the number of rewrites.
4. Break Down Complex Tasks
When you ask a human to “build a website,” you probably follow up with a long conversation. AI needs the same guidance. Complex tasks work best when broken into steps.
Instead of:
“Write an email newsletter.”
Try:
- Step 1: Write a compelling hook to open the email.
- Step 2: List three takeaways with a sentence of explanation each.
- Step 3: End with a clear call to action and subject line options.
Why it works:
Large tasks become manageable, and each section can be refined individually. That gives you more control — and better final results.
5. Don’t Accept the First Draft
AI is not perfect, and that’s okay. Think of it as a smart assistant, not a final editor. Once you get your first response, ask for changes.
Examples:
- “Make it sound more confident.”
- “Use plain language a high schooler could understand.”
- “Add urgency to the call to action.”
Why it works:
Editing the output helps you get closer to what you actually need. And once you learn how to guide the tool, you’ll spend less time rewriting and more time moving forward.
Bonus Tips
Once you’ve mastered the five steps, here are a few next-level strategies to get even better outputs.
- Ask what it needs from you.
“What information would help you write a better landing page? - Tell it what to avoid.
“Don’t use clichés like ‘cutting-edge’ or ‘disruptive.’” - Make it less robotic.
“Rewrite this in a more human, conversational tone.” - Ask it to self-edit.
“Improve this paragraph for clarity and tone.”
AI Is a Tool — You’re Still the Expert
At Infomedia, we believe AI can be an incredibly valuable tool, but it’s not a replacement for expertise. Whether you’re generating content, brainstorming ideas or clarifying messaging, the real magic happens when humans and AI work together.
If your business relies on digital content (and most do), learning how to write better prompts is a worthy skill. It saves time. It improves accuracy. And most importantly, it helps you communicate clearly with your audience.
Want better results from your AI tools — and your website?
Learning to write better prompts is a great place to start. But pairing smart tools with smart strategy is where real progress happens. At Infomedia, we help businesses clarify their messaging, improve their digital presence and make every piece of content — AI-generated or not — work harder.
If you want more tips and tricks like this, join us at our next One Quick Coffee on May 15, 2025 at Little Professor Bookshop in Pepper Place.
