A smarter way to prompt (that actually works)
Ever scroll back through an old AI chat and cringe? I did. Let’s just say, frustrated “prompting” didn’t get me anywhere.
The truth: bad prompts equal bad output. But fixing it doesn’t mean learning XML or inventing a new language. It’s about being clear and structured.
Here’s the seven-part framework we use when the stakes are high—like writing newsletters, analyzing laws, or building content for clients.
The 7-Part Prompt Framework
1. Role / Context – Who should AI pretend to be?
2. Goal / Task – What you want it to do.
3. Audience – Who it’s for and what they care about.
4. Format & Style – The tone, length, and channel.
5. Constraints – Guardrails: no emojis, no fake stats, etc.
6. Examples / Inputs – Samples or references for AI to mirror.
7. Call to Action – A clear next step (without labeling it “CTA”).
You don’t always need all seven—but when you do, it saves hours of editing.
Copy-Paste Template
You are a [ROLE] for a [BUSINESS TYPE] that serves [AUDIENCE DESCRIPTION].
Task/Goal: [WHAT you want created/analysed] so that [OUTCOME].
Audience: [WHO this is for, their pains, what they value].
Format & Style: [STRUCTURE: e.g., 2 short paragraphs + 3 bullets], [TONE], [READING LEVEL], [CHANNEL specifics].
Constraints: [NO emojis], [NO invented data], [brand voice notes], [length cap], [style bans: no em dashes if you prefer, etc.].
Inputs/Examples:
- Reference 1: [paste or describe]
- Reference 2: [paste or describe]
- Brand voice snippet: [paste 2–3 lines]
CTA: End with “[your exact one-line CTA]”. Do not label it “Call to Action”.
Before you start: ask me up to 5 clarifying questions if anything is ambiguous.
Worked Example
Scenario: Turn a short announcement into a Facebook/IG post for a boutique’s fall arrivals.
Structured prompt
You are a retail copywriter for an independent clothing boutique that serves busy professionals who want classic pieces that last.
Task/Goal: Write a Facebook + Instagram post that introduces our fall arrivals and drives in-store visits this week.
Audience: Women 28–55 who care about fit, quality, and outfits that work for office→weekend without fuss.
Format & Style: 2 short paragraphs + 3 bullets. Warm, confident, no fluff. 7th-grade reading level. Suitable for FB and IG (no hashtags baked in).
Constraints: No emojis. No hype claims like “best ever.” Mention fabric/details only if concrete. Keep to 130–180 words. Follow US spelling and punctuation.
Inputs/Examples:
- Reference: “Our fall collection includes merino sweaters, stretch trousers, and water-resistant trench coats in deep green and espresso.”
- Brand voice snippet: “Helpful, grounded, neighborly—tell me what to try and why.”
- Offer: “Free hemming through Saturday.”
CTA: End with “Stop by this week or DM ‘LOOKS’ for sizing help.”
Before you start: ask up to 3 clarifying questions if needed.
Rescue a Messy Chat (Quick Routine)
If a conversation goes off the rails, paste this in to reset:
Reset: Summarize what you think I want in 3 bullet points.
Then list the top 3 missing details you need from me.
Wait for my answers before writing.
Owner Story: Vibe Coding with AI
Zach shared a great example this week.
He was building a website and wanted a slick ticker from another site. Without knowing HTML, he copied the source code, pasted it into AI, and asked:
“Isolate the ticker.”
“Where do I change the font?”
“Can you recolor it to match my site?”
AI did the heavy lifting—analyzing the messy code and giving him a clean, copy-paste snippet.
👉 Lesson: You don’t need to be fluent in code. With the right prompts, AI can translate technical stuff into usable pieces for you.
Prompt of the Week
“Compare these two things and tell me how they’re different.”
This works everywhere:
Social captions (keep your brand voice consistent)
Videos (color correction across edits)
Policies (spot differences in drafts)
Prompt template:
Compare Sample A and Sample B.
1) List differences in voice/structure.
2) Extract a short style guide.
3) Rewrite Sample B to match A’s style (keep facts).
Constraints: No emojis. No invented claims.
Blog: The Deep Dive on Prompt Structure
We built out the full framework—with fill-in template, worked example, and reset routine—here:
👉 [Read the blog →]
Liked this breakdown?
We unpacked it even further—plus a few laughs about being called “boomers” at age 35—on the podcast: