Do you find that using AI for content writing brings lukewarm or even unhelpful results? Your prompts could be the issue. AI tools are not necessarily intuitive, and the output is only as good as the questions, topics or information you feed it.
Read on to learn best practices for writing a prompt for your AI tools.
Best practices for writing prompts that bring results
You could have the latest and greatest AI tools, but if you aren’t using them correctly, the results will disappoint. As marketers, we know that content writing is not easy, especially when we are given vague directions or only half the information. We shouldn’t assume a tool can do any better if we treat it similarly.
Your AI prompts are what steer the ship, so to speak, and they need to be clear and helpful. Here are a few tips to help improve your AI prompts:
Start with the end in mind.
Before you even begin, take time to think through the piece of content and what you expect from the AI tool. Think through everything from the goal of your piece to the topic, tone, audience, and even how many words you want it to be.
Be specific.
AI tools are only as good as the information you feed it, so make sure your asks are specific. The more context you can provide in your request, the better the results. Kajabi, an AI-based platform that helps people build their online business, offered a solid framework for using AI prompts:
“Act like” + “write a” + “define an objective” + “define your ideal format.”
For example, Act like { a type of expert } who is writing copy for { a specific use } to achieve { a specific outcome }.
Include examples.
Pulling from the prompt above, it can be helpful to include examples of what you want or expect from the output. Using examples related to your prompt will help the tool better understand the desired output. This could be a sample sentence or phrase related to the subject of your inquiry that matches the style you are expecting.
Don’t be afraid to iterate.
If the response you receive isn’t quite what you are looking for, then ask again in a slightly different way. Keep in mind you are working with a machine that can’t pick up on human nuances, so you may need to rephrase your prompts or adjust them a few times until you get a response you like.
Treat the AI tool like a human.
This one may be leaving you confused, but the gist is for you to act like you are talking to another person — not a robot. Imagine the content AI tool you are using is the copywriter, how would you explain the project to them? You might find you have to ask a few additional questions or provide some clarifying information. Essentially, view your interaction with your AI tool as a conversation and expect a few prompt-and-answer iterations until you get the content you want. This is what is known as “interactive prompting.”
If you are looking for a deeper dive into AI prompting, check out the articles: How To Write AI Prompts To Create Great Content + Examples; The 9 Best Tips for Using AI Prompts for Writing; and How to write better ChatGPT prompts for the best generative AI results.
Be patient; we are all learning
Creating effective prompts has a bit of a learning curve, especially since each tool has its own nuances. When using AI for content writing, expect to have to go back with a few different prompts or rephrase your request in an entirely different way. The more practice you have with prompts, the better you will get and the more efficiencies you will gain.
Robots are great, but let’s not forget about the human touch. Are you looking for a content marketing agency to take your AI-infused content to the next level? You’ve come to the right place. Reach out to us today to learn more about our services.