Why Prompting Matters

Have you ever typed a question into ChatGPT and received a dull, generic answer? That’s often because the prompt wasn’t clear or detailed enough.

The good news is: prompting is a skill anyone can learn. It just takes a bit of practice, the right framework, and a mindset of curiosity.

Set Up for Success

1. Define the Objective

Start with clarity. What do you want the AI to do — generate ideas, write a summary, explain a concept, draft a plan? Be direct with your intention.

Example: “Summarise this article in 5 bullet points” is more effective than “Tell me what this article says.”

2. Assign a Role

Telling AI to “act as” someone helps shape the tone, style, and depth of the response.

Example: “Act as a digital marketing strategist.”

3. Identify the Audience

Is this content meant for business owners? Teenagers? Engineers? When the AI knows who it’s speaking to, it can tailor the tone, vocabulary, and examples.

Example: “Write this for first-time property investors in their 30s.”

4. Provide Context

Context is king. Add a short background so the AI knows where you're coming from.

Example: “I’m preparing a workshop for beginners who want to learn AI.”

Be Specific

5. Specify the Format

Bullet points, tables, scripts, paragraphs — whatever structure you want, say it clearly.

Example: “Present the comparison in a table format.”

6. Set Constraints

Want it under 200 words? Need to avoid certain topics? Let the AI know.

Example: “Keep it under 3 minutes for a video script.”

7. Use Clear & Concise Language

AI responds best to clean, specific instructions. Skip the fluff. Keep it tight.

Example: “Explain this in simple terms for beginners.”

8. Include Examples

One of the fastest ways to get the response you want? Show it.

Example: “Write an Instagram caption like: ‘Monday vibes Coffee in hand, goals in mind.’”

Control the Voice

9. Specify the Tone

Do you want it to be casual, witty, serious, professional, or playful? Make it clear.

Example: “Use a friendly and conversational tone.”

10. Ask for Step-by-Step Explanations

For anything complex, break it down.

Example: “Give me a step-by-step guide to setting up a Google Ads campaign.”

11. Encourage Creativity

If you want fresh ideas, say so! AI can be surprisingly imaginative — if you let it.

Example: “Give me 5 unique campaign ideas that haven’t been done before.”

Validate and Iterate

12. Request Citations

When accuracy matters, ask the AI to show its sources.

Example: “Cite any data or stats used with links.”

Note: Always verify AI-sourced citations, as they can sometimes fabricate URLs.

13. Avoid Multiple Questions

One task per prompt. Otherwise, the AI might get confused or prioritise one part over another.

Example: Break up “Can you explain Facebook ads and also give tips for Instagram?” into two separate prompts.

14. Test and Refine

Didn’t love the first response? Adjust your wording. Change the format. Be more specific.

Tip: Prompting is like a muscle — the more you refine it, the stronger it gets.

15. Provide Feedback

Don’t just settle for “good enough.” You can say:

• “That’s too formal. Can you make it more friendly?”
• “Can you give 3 more examples?”

Final Thoughts: AI Is a Tool — Not Magic

AI isn’t here to replace you — it’s here to amplify your thinking. But like any tool, it works best when used skilfully.

Writing good prompts isn’t just for developers or techies. Whether you're in marketing, HR, education, or just exploring AI for fun, strong prompts will unlock a whole new level of productivity and creativity.

Want to Practise Prompting?

Try rewriting one of your recent prompts using these 15 rules — and compare the results.

Save this guide and come back to it whenever you get stuck.

Better prompts = better answers. Simple as that.


Our team at Online Marketing Academy (OMA) has also compiled comprehensive research on Gemini AI here.  As we discover what drives results in AI for you, we'll share more findings.