TL;DR
- Rule #1: Hire the right helper. AI tools are not all the same. Some are better at writing, some can’t process images, and some are specialized.
- Rule #2: Include context. Provide your AI tool with a way to understand the point of your request and what considerations should be included.
- Rule #3: Be specific about the format output. Do you want a chart? Bulletpoints? One paragraph of web copy? Say so.
- Rule #4: Anticipate wrong turns. You’re giving driving directions, not hiring a psychic. “Do not” are good words to include in a prompt. AI values what it sees most often; you’ll have to mitigate against blah results.
- Rule #5: Ask yourself, AITA (Am I the Asshole)? If you’re getting bad outputs from your AI tool, you’re likely at least part (if not all) of the problem.
Deeper Dive:
Let’s rework this very crappy prompt: Give me a report on the coffee market in the US.