How to Prompt Like a Pro (Most People Do It Wrong)

Most people talk to AI the same way they talk to Google — short, vague, half-formed prompts. That’s why they get generic responses. Prompting like a pro isn’t complicated. It just means giving the AI the context and direction it needs to deliver high-quality output.

Here’s the quick version:

1. Tell It Exactly What You Want

Bad prompt:

“Write about fitness.”

Great prompt:

“Write a friendly 200-word intro about beginner fitness for college students.”

Specific = better.

2. Give Context

AI writes best when it knows who it's writing for and why.

Example:

“I’m writing an email to a professor. Make it polite but not robotic.”

3. Set the Style or Tone

Tell it how you want it to sound.

Example:

“Use a casual, confident tone.”

4. Show an Example

One sample of your writing instantly improves the output.

Example:

“Match this style: [paste your sample].”

5. Break Big Tasks Into Steps

If you ask for too much at once, the answer gets messy.

Instead:

• “First: brainstorm ideas.”
• “Second: create an outline.”
• “Third: write paragraph one.”

6. Tell It What Not To Do

This is a secret weapon.

Example:

“Avoid filler, avoid clichés, and don’t repeat yourself.”

Final Tip

Master prompt writers aren’t smarter — they’re clearer. If you want great output, give great instructions.