Bad AI Prompt vs Better AI Prompt

AI tools are only as clear as your request. A vague prompt gets a generic answer. A better prompt gives the AI the context, goal, and format it needs.

Better prompts are not longer. They are clearer.

Role

Who the AI should act as

Context

Who you are and the situation

Goal

What you want to achieve

Audience

Who the result is for

Format

Length, structure, and style

Rules

What to include and avoid

Bad prompt

Write a blog post about productivity.

Better prompt

Write a 700-word blog post for busy freelancers on three ways to plan a week in 15 minutes. Friendly tone, short paragraphs, one example per tip, and a checklist at the end.

Bad prompt

Write an email to my client about the delay.

Better prompt

Write a short, polite email to a client explaining that their website launch moves from May 3 to May 10 because of a payment system issue. Take responsibility, give the new date, and offer a 15-minute call.

Bad prompt

Tell me about electric cars.

Better prompt

Compare the three best-selling electric cars in the UK this year on price, range, and charging speed. Use a table, cite sources with dates, and tell me which suits a family on a budget.

Bad prompt

Write a LinkedIn post about AI.

Better prompt

Write a LinkedIn post for small business owners about one AI task that saves an hour a week. Start with a one-line hook, use short lines, give three steps, and end with a question. No hashtags or emoji.

Bad prompt

A coffee shop.

Better prompt

A cozy corner coffee shop on a rainy evening, warm light through the window, a barista pouring latte art, shot on a 35mm lens, soft focus background, realistic photo, 4:5 format.

Bad prompt

Make a video of a city.

Better prompt

Slow drone shot rising over a coastal city at sunrise, golden light on glass buildings, calm sea, gentle wind and distant gulls, cinematic, eight seconds, 16:9.

Bad prompt

Fix my code.

Better prompt

This function should return the total price including 20% tax, but it returns the price without tax. Here is the code and the error. Find the bug, explain it in one sentence, and fix only that.

Bad prompt

Explain quantum computing.

Better prompt

Explain quantum computing to a curious 15-year-old in under 200 words, with one everyday analogy, then ask me one question to check I understood.

Bad prompt

Give me business ideas.

Better prompt

I am a graphic designer with $500 and 10 hours a week. Suggest five online business ideas I could start this month, with first customer steps and realistic risks for each.

Bad prompt

Analyze this spreadsheet.

Better prompt

This spreadsheet shows monthly sales by product. Find the three biggest changes in the last quarter, suggest a likely reason for each, and show the results in a table and one chart.

• Add who it is for
• Add the goal
• Add the format and length
• Add one example of what good looks like
• Ask the AI to ask you questions first if you are unsure

Before you answer, ask me any questions you need to give the best result.

Act as [role]. Context: [who I am and the situation]. Task: [what to do]. Audience: [who it is for]. Format: [length, structure, style]. Rules: [include, avoid, facts to keep].