The problem: you ask ChatGPT a question, get a mediocre answer, and think AI is overhyped.
The reality: you asked a mediocre question.
Here are five prompt techniques that will immediately change what you get from any AI model.
1. Tell It What Role to Play
Bad: “Write a LinkedIn post about productivity.”
Good: “You are a LinkedIn copywriter who specializes in B2B SaaS. Write a post about productivity hacks that software engineers actually use, with a hook that gets engagement in the first line.”
When you give the AI a specific persona and constraints, it narrows its output. Instead of generic “productivity is important,” you get specific, targeted content.
2. Use the “Think Step-by-Step” Instruction
Bad: “Should I pivot my business?”
Good: “I’m considering pivoting my SaaS business. Walk me through a step-by-step decision framework, considering: market demand, financial runway, customer feedback, and your own skills. Think out loud.”
When you ask for step-by-step thinking, the AI actually reasons instead of spitting back patterns. This is especially powerful for strategic decisions.
3. Provide Examples of What You Want
Bad: “Write sales copy for my product.”
Good: “Write sales copy for my product in the style of [competitor]. Here are 3 examples of their copy: [paste examples]. Match that tone and structure but for our unique value prop.”
AI is pattern-matching. Give it the pattern you want, and it will follow it. This is 100x more effective than hoping it guesses what you want.
4. Ask for Multiple Options with Different Approaches
Bad: “Generate 5 blog titles.”
Good: “Generate 10 blog titles using these three different approaches: (1) How-to/Tutorial format, (2) Controversial opinion format, (3) Data-driven/research format. Label which approach each title uses.”
This forces the AI to vary its output instead of giving you 10 similar titles. You get options to actually choose from.
5. Specify Exactly What Format You Need
Bad: “Summarize this article.”
Good: “Summarize this article in a 3-bullet format: [Key insight], [How it applies to B2B SaaS], [Action I should take]. Keep each bullet to one sentence.”
Specificity = better output. If you tell it the format, length, and structure, it will deliver exactly what you need instead of a generic summary.
The Power Move: Combine All Five
Example: “You are a content strategist for fintech companies. I’m planning a content series on ‘how to explain crypto to your parents.’ Give me 5 outline structures using these approaches: (1) FAQ format, (2) Storytelling format, (3) Comparison format. For each, provide a 2-sentence hook and 4 main points. I’ll pick my favorite and we’ll dive deeper.”
That prompt gets you exactly what you need, and it takes 30 seconds to write. A bad prompt wastes 20 minutes.
The Test
Try this: take a prompt you normally use, and rewrite it using these five techniques. Run both versions through ChatGPT and compare.
The difference will shock you. You’ll realize the AI wasn’t the problem—your prompt was.
The better you get at prompting, the better the AI becomes for your specific needs. Start today.