What Is a Prompt and How to Write the Perfect One?

[Liam Wiliam]

Hi,
I’ve been messing around with AI tools like ChatGPT and a few image generators, and this word “prompt” keeps coming up. I think I kind of get what it means—it’s the text or instruction you type in—but honestly, I still don’t know how to write a good one. Like, sometimes I get junk back, and other times it’s surprisingly accurate. Is there some trick to writing prompts properly? Does wording or format actually matter that much? Would love it if someone could break it down for me—what exactly is a prompt, and how do you write one that actually works?

Thanks

[Shaun David]

Hi,

So here’s the thing — when I first started using tools like ChatGPT or image generators, I had no clue what a “Prompt” even was. Everyone kept talking about how it’s all about the prompt, that the better your prompt, the better your results.

But nobody really explained it in plain language. I had to figure it out the hard way — trial, error, frustration, and then a bit of progress.

A prompt, simply put, is the instruction or message you give the AI so it knows what you want. It’s not complicated at all in theory.

You type something in, like a question or request, and the AI gives you a response. But the tricky part is: the way you ask really changes what you get. That’s where most beginners struggle, myself included.

Let me give you an example. If I just type, “Tell me about dogs,” I might get a general paragraph about dogs. But if I type, “Write a short, funny description of why Golden Retrievers are the friendliest dogs ever,” suddenly the AI gives me something more interesting, tailored, even entertaining.

That’s the difference a good prompt makes.
Over time, I started picking up some things that made my prompts way more effective. I’m not saying there’s a secret formula, but a few things definitely help:

1. Know what you want before you ask.

Sounds obvious, but many people (me too, at first) just type vague stuff and hope for the best. If you’re not clear in your own head, your prompt will be just as messy.

2. Be specific.

Words like “good” or “nice” mean different things to different people. Instead, say exactly what kind of response you’re expecting. Do you want it funny? Serious? Short? Poetic? Break it down.

3. Give context if needed.

Let’s say you want the AI to help write something for your website. Tell it what the site’s about, who the audience is, what tone you want — it makes a difference. Instead of just “write a product description,” you can say, “Write a casual, engaging product description for a smartwatch aimed at college students.”

4. If it didn’t work, tweak — don’t quit.

This part is huge. I used to think if a prompt didn’t work, I messed up. But sometimes it’s just about trying again with different wording. A tiny change in phrasing can give you a totally different (and better) response.

5. Use examples if possible.

Let’s say you want a caption for Instagram. If you give an example like, “Wander often, wonder always,” and then ask for similar ones, the AI understands your vibe much better.

Honestly, writing a great prompt feels a lot like learning how to ask better questions in real life. The more thought you put into what you’re asking, the more thoughtful the answer you’ll get.

Also, don’t think there’s only one right way to prompt. There isn’t. I’ve seen people write five-line detailed prompts with tons of info and get amazing results.

I’ve also seen people write four or five-word prompts and still get exactly what they need. It depends on what you’re using the AI for.

For creative stuff — like stories, poetry, jokes, ideas — I’ve found that a little direction goes a long way. If I say, “Write a story about a lonely robot,” I might get something okay.

But if I sa,y “Write a short story about a lonely robot living on Mars who finds an old radio that plays Earth music,” the response feels more alive, more focused.

For practical tasks — summaries, answers, explanations — the clearer you are, the better. Don’t say, “Tell me about SEO.” Say, “Explain SEO to someone starting a new blog in plain English, no jargon.”

And yeah, the format matters too. If you want a bullet list, say so. If you want three short paragraphs, mention that. The AI actually listens to those kinds of instructions.

Here’s something else I’ve learned: you don’t have to get it right in one shot. Treat it like a conversation. Ask once, see what you get, then ask follow-ups, refine, and build on what you got. That’s when you really start seeing the power of a good prompt — not in the first try, but in how you guide it along.

I’ll be honest, I used to think prompt writing was only for tech-savvy people or copywriters. Not true. If you know what you want, and you can explain it in normal language, you can write a solid prompt. It’s not about fancy words, it’s about clear thinking.

Now, are there people who take prompt writing to a whole other level? Sure. There are people who do “prompt engineering” and build elaborate inputs for complex results. But that’s not where you need to start. Start simple. Start specific. Start curious. That’s more than enough.

To wrap this up — if someone asked me for my three best tips on writing better prompts, I’d say this:

Be ridiculously clear about what you want.

Give the AI enough detail to work with.

Don’t settle for the first answer — follow up, tweak, and guide.

That’s it. That’s the real secret. No magic. Just thoughtful communication. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll start to feel like you’re not just using the AI—you’re collaborating with it.

And honestly, it’s kind of fun.

Hope that helps.

[Author]

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