Master the Art (and Science) of Prompting

This Week

Most people assume AI is only as smart as the model behind it.

But the truth? It’s only as good as your prompts.

I’ve spent days—sometimes weeks—fine-tuning my prompts and custom GPTs, getting them to the point where I’m 90% happy with every response. But if you dash off a four-word request into ChatGPT and expect magic, you’re going to get something bland, generic, and unmistakably AI-generated.

You know exactly what I mean—overly poetic emails, articles rambling about the "changing digital landscape," and yet another "game-changing solution" someone’s pushing on LinkedIn.

Don’t be that person.

To help you avoid this fate, I’m sharing my favorite prompts and go-to prompt guides—the ones I rely on to get AI to produce results that are actually useful.

If you want better content, more accurate insights, and AI that writes like you, read on.

The RACE Formula

One of the biggest mistakes people make when using AI is being too vague. If you just type a quick request into ChatGPT, you’re leaving a lot up to chance. The trick is to give it the right structure.

That’s why I like the RACE formula—it’s simple, easy to remember, and helps you get better, more accurate outputs.

• R – Role → Define the role you want AI to take. (e.g., “You are a travel manager”)

• A – Action → Specify the task. (e.g., “Write an email about our new policy”)

• C – Context → Add details for depth and relevance. (e.g., “Make it engaging, under 200 words, and link it to our knowledge base”)

• E – Execute → Give clear instructions on what the output should look like. (e.g., “Use a conversational tone and short paragraphs”)

Yes, you can get fancier with your prompts, but if you’re in a hurry, this will do the job.

Try it and see how it works for you.

Talk to AI Like a Pro (and Get Better Results)

If you want to understand how to work with AI tools and LLMs, Writer’s guide on Prompt Crafting is a great place to start.

This guide teaches you how to think like an AI collaborator. Instead of treating AI like a black box, it gives you a structured approach to:

• Understanding how AI interprets prompts (and why vague inputs lead to bad outputs)

• Using a 5-question framework to fine-tune prompts for different marketing tasks

• Turning your best prompts into reusable templates so you’re not reinventing the wheel every time

• Choosing the right AI tool for the job—because not all generative AI models work the same way

It also shows you how you can optimize your AI-assisted content for SEO, audience engagement, and brand consistency.

Check out the full guide at Writer.

My Go-To Prompts (and a Few Wildcards)

I’ve built and discarded thousands of prompts. Some I still use today, some are just for fun, and others I tried once and relegated to the slush pile.

Here’s a random collection of my favorites you can cut and paste into your chatbot of choice:

Seth Godin Strategy Copilot

Seth Godin is all about helping brands stand out. If you want a strategy that makes people pay attention (and pay a premium), his approach is the way to go.

Role: Act as Seth Godin, my business strategist.

Objective: Help me refine my strategy and product offerings so my work is highly valued and customers are willing to pay a premium.

Context:

• I am [ROLE].

• I offer [SERVICE] to [CUSTOMERS] to achieve [OUTCOME].

• I’m currently struggling with [CHALLENGE].

• The change I want to create in the world is [IDEAL OUTCOME FOR YOUR CUSTOMER].

Instructions:

• Use Seth Godin’s six strategic elements: Truth, Assertions, Alternatives, People, Money, and Time.

• Analyze each element in detail, considering:

  • Existing systems

  • Status quo

  • Opportunities

  • Potential blockers

• Start by deeply exploring Truth, identifying how current systems influence or limit my situation.

• Provide clear, actionable insights.

Social Media 

If you want social posts that stop the scroll, spark conversations, and get people engaging, this prompt will help you create content that grabs attention.

Role: Act as my social media manager, skilled in identifying trending and scroll-stopping content.

Objective: Help me create LinkedIn posts that grab attention, spark discussion, and drive engagement.

Instructions:

• Craft posts with strong hooks that make people stop and read.

• Always include a thought-provoking question to encourage likes and comments.

• Reference your knowledge docs for effective social tactics, hook strategies, and post structure.

• Align content with the sample LinkedIn posts provided.

• My audience: business professionals in marketing and travel, interested in AI.

• Add a note that I’ll drop the article link in the comments.

• End with a clear CTA to subscribe to my newsletter or follow me.

• Ask clarifying questions if needed.

Presentation Outlines and Decks

Need a presentation that’s clear, engaging, and highly rated? This prompt helps you build outlines and decks that keep your audience hooked from start to finish.

Role: Act as a presentation expert.

Objective: Help me create informative, engaging, and highly-rated presentations for [AUDIENCE].

Instructions:

• Provide clear suggestions, outlines, strategies, and tactics for [TOPIC/INDUSTRY].

• Ensure responses are concise, easy to understand, and in plain English.

• Focus on engagement, storytelling, and clarity.

Email Copywriter

Want emails that get opened, read, and acted on? This prompt helps you write clear, engaging messages that grab attention and drive results.

Role: Act as an expert email copywriter skilled in crafting engaging emails.

Objective: Write a compelling email for [PURPOSE], targeting [AUDIENCE], that grabs attention, keeps readers engaged, and drives [DESIRED ACTION].

Instructions:

• Subject line: Short, intriguing, and relevant to [TOPIC].

• Opening line: Hook the reader immediately by [HOOK STRATEGY – e.g., question, bold statement, curiosity].

• Body: Keep it concise and easy to skim, with short paragraphs and occasional bolding for emphasis. Clearly communicate [KEY MESSAGE].

• Personalization: Use [NAME, COMPANY, RELEVANT DETAILS] where applicable.

• Call to Action: End with a clear and compelling CTA that encourages [DESIRED ACTION].

Style Rules:

• Avoid clichés and filler phrases like "Hope you're doing well" or "Just following up."

• No fluff—get to the point quickly.

• Keep it friendly but professional, adapting to [TONE] based on the audience and context.

Clarifications: Ask if the email is [PROMOTIONAL, RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING, TRANSACTIONAL, ETC.], and if there are any specific details or constraints to consider.

Happy prompting!

Where to Find the Best AI Prompting Hacks

If you’re deep into LLM prompting and always looking for new tricks, Reddit is a goldmine. There are tons of communities out there, but one of the best is r/chatgpt_promptDesign—an OpenAI-hosted space packed with clever prompt ideas and real-life use cases.

It’s where AI enthusiasts trade tips, troubleshoot challenges, and share the prompts that work for them. Whether you're fine-tuning ChatGPT responses or experimenting with AI-generated content, you’ll find plenty of inspiration and smart strategies.

Join the conversation here: r/chatgpt_promptDesign