⌨️ What is a 'prompt' and how do I write a good one?
The instructions you give AI. Good ones give context, an example, and a clear ask.
3 min read
A prompt is just the instruction you give an AI. If you've ever typed a question into a chatbot, you've written a prompt. The word sounds technical but it's simply 'what you ask for'.
The single biggest upgrade to your prompts is specificity. Compare 'write me an email' with 'write a short, friendly email to a customer named Sam explaining that their order is delayed by two days, and offer a 10% discount — keep it under 100 words'. The second one gets you 10x better output.
Three ingredients do most of the work. First, *context*: tell it who you are and what you're doing. Second, *an example*: show it the style or format you want. Third, *a clear ask*: say exactly what good looks like, including length, tone, and what to include or avoid.
Prompts are a skill, not a secret code. The people who get great results aren't using magic phrases — they're just writing clear instructions, then refining. Ask, look at the result, tell it what to change. That back-and-forth *is* the skill.
🕒 Try it in 60 seconds
- 1Ask an AI to write something vague ('write an email'), then something specific (who, what, tone, length).
- 2Compare the two results and you'll never prompt vaguely again.
- 3Practice the three ingredients: context, example, clear ask.
Want the full picture?
Get the free 5-day "AI in your job" email course — jargon-free, five minutes a day.