What is a prompt?
A prompt is an instruction or request you send to an AI system. It can be a question, a detailed task, or a description of an image you want to create.
General request: “Write an ad for a store.”
More effective request: “Write an English Instagram ad for a silver jewelry shop. The audience is women aged 25–45. Use a modern, friendly tone and keep it under 100 words. Invite readers to browse the catalog, but do not invent discounts or product details.”
7 rules for effective prompts
1. Define the task clearly
Replace broad requests with a specific action, such as suggesting five ways to attract customers to a small repair business.
2. Add context
Explain who the content is for, where it will be used, and what problem it should solve.
3. Set a role for the AI
You can ask it to act as an editor, teacher, marketer, or programmer. This helps set direction but does not guarantee accuracy.
4. Specify the output format
Ask for a list, table, step-by-step guide, structured article, or a response within a word limit.
5. Add constraints
Specify language, length, budget, and other important conditions.
6. Provide an example
Describe the style you want or provide a sample that demonstrates tone, structure, or formatting.
7. Refine the result
Ask the AI to shorten the answer, add examples, improve structure, or adapt it for another audience.
A reusable prompt formula
Role + task + context + requirements + output format.
Example: “Act as an experienced copywriter. Write a product description for a silver chain store. The audience is people looking for a gift. Use a clear, persuasive tone without exaggeration. Write 120–150 words, include a heading and call to action, and do not invent product specifications.”
5 ready-to-use prompts
For articles
Act as an editor. Write an article about [topic] for [audience]. Use clear language, useful headings, and practical examples. Do not invent facts; flag details that need verification.
For business
Act as a small-business adviser. My idea is [idea] and my budget is [budget]. Create a 30-day launch plan by week, including costs, expected outcomes, and risks. Do not assume profit is guaranteed.
For programming
Act as a web developer. I need [feature] and my site uses [technology]. Suggest a compatible solution, identify files to change, provide code, and explain how to test it. Do not remove existing features unnecessarily.
For image generation
Create an image for [purpose]. Main subject: [subject]. Style: [style]. Composition: [description]. Lighting and colors: [description]. Aspect ratio: [ratio]. Avoid [unwanted elements].
For learning
Explain [topic] to a beginner. Start with a simple explanation, give three practical examples, then ask five questions to check understanding. Explain any difficult terms.
Common prompting mistakes
- Being too vague. “Tell me about marketing” does not define what information is needed.
- Combining too many tasks. Break complex work into stages.
- No criteria. Specify audience, length, tone, or format.
- Conflicting instructions. Overly restrictive requirements may reduce completeness.
- Trusting every answer. AI can make mistakes or provide outdated information. Verify important facts.
How to improve a weak prompt
- “Make the answer more practical.”
- “Add three examples for a small business.”
- “Cut the text in half while preserving the key points.”
- “Explain difficult terms in plain language.”
- “Flag claims that need verification.”
- “Ask clarifying questions before continuing.”
Conclusion
An effective prompt is a clear task description. Define the goal, add context, set requirements, and refine the response as needed. Start with this formula: what to do, for whom, under which conditions, and in what format.