Prompting basics: how to ask AI for a usable answer
A good question is the difference between an impressive and an unusable result. A few simple principles for instantly better answers.
Many people are disappointed by AI because they ask it the wrong way. Yet a few simple principles get you much better, more usable answers right away.
1. Give context
Say who you are, who the material is for, and what the goal is. Instead of “write a post”: “Write a short, friendly Facebook post for a dental practice about the winter offer, for existing patients.”
2. State the format
How many words, what tone, list or prose, which language. The more specific, the more accurate the answer.
3. Give an example
If you have an earlier piece that worked well, paste it as a sample. The AI quickly picks up the style.
4. Refine, don’t restart
The first answer is rarely perfect. Ask it to shorten, make it more personal, or emphasise a point — step by step.
5. Always check
AI can be confidently wrong. Review the important facts, numbers and names before you use them.
We practise these skills on your own tasks during the team training.