Starting with Prompts Vol. 1: We’re Just Getting Started
Ben • December 2, 2023

Let’s start with the basics, and then multiple the basics times each other, then do it again. Then let’s get weird!

Engaging effectively with AI technology can be likened to a dance of communication, where the prompts you use are akin to leading steps. These prompts are your toolkit for directing AI towards fulfilling your specific needs and goals. A well-crafted prompt results in relevant and beneficial outcomes, much like a clear destination in a GPS leads to an efficient journey. On the other hand, vague or imprecise prompts might yield less focused results, but can still hold value depending on your objectives. It’s essential to have a dialogue with AI, refining your prompts to navigate toward your intended results.

For these exercises, I use ChatGPT, but other AI’s will work the same way. Remember, it’s called ChatGPT”, chat, talk, engage with AI to make magic happen. As you read through these directions I encourage you to input these examples into AI to see how AI works. 

The Power of Specificity: A Practical Exercise

General Prompt: “Tell me about loans.”

Specific Prompt: “Can you outline the differences between fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages for first-time home buyers in a straightforward way?”

Notice the sharpness of the second prompt, which is more likely to yield a focused and practical response.

Crafting High-Impact Prompts: Key Attributes

Effective prompts share certain qualities that enhance their utility. Here’s a breakdown:

  • Role Play: Command AI to assume a role, like “Be a financial advisor.”
  • Tone Setting: Specify the mood, for instance, “Respond formally…”
  • Audience Focus: Tailor to a specific group, e.g., “For beginners…”
  • Structured Response: Dictate the format, like “Answer in bullet points…”
  • Time Relevance: Limit the historical context, e.g., “Focus on the last decade…”
  • Comparative Analysis: Request a side-by-side evaluation, e.g., “Compare X and Y.”
  • Balanced Perspective: Ask for a well-rounded view, e.g., “What are the pros and cons of…”
  • In-Depth Exploration: Seek comprehensive insights, for example, “Elaborate on…”

Prompts can range from open-ended, fostering creativity and exploration, to highly focused, addressing precise queries. The skill lies in striking the right balance to suit your needs.

If you’re not new to AI, the prompt tools above are not new. I’d challenge you to begin combining two, three, or all of them together to work more productively. 

Prompt Crafting Essentials: Quick Tips

Do: Be explicit and succinct.

Don’t: Avoid ambiguity or presume AI’s contextual understanding unless specified.

Do: State your preferred format.

Don’t: Don’t get disheartened by less than perfect responses – it’s a learning process.

Do: Continually refine your prompts based on AI feedback.

Challenge Your Skills: 10 Engaging Prompts to Try

“Explain the gold standard’s historical significance as a historian.”

“Simplify the concept of compound interest for a 6th grader.”

“Compose a formal email to announce a new CFO’s hiring.”

“Evaluate the advantages of savings accounts versus CDs for retirees.”

“Create wedding vows blending Al Green’s songs in Ernest Hemingway’s style.”

“Discuss the pros and cons of a low carb diet, citing sources.”

“Summarize the evolution of electric cars in the 1990s.”

“Demystify blockchain technology for a non-tech audience.”

“Recommend five quintessential American fiction books with justifications.”

“As a marketing director, propose 10 inventive sandwich ideas.”

Not happy with the results of your prompt, or don’t see any magic? Keep going, make follow up requestions. In fact, to really see how powerful and creative AI can be, use multiple examples of the 10 engaging prompts above. “Multiple” the prompts together by combing them. 

For instance, enter this prompt: “Combine these three topics and weave them together into a 500 word blog for me. Explain the gold standard’s historical significance as a historian, create wedding vows blending Al Green’s songs in Ernest Hemingway’s style, and as a marketing director, propose 10 inventive sandwich ideas.”

The output is weird, but the point is that AI can take more ideas than we can comprehend and create interesting output. Imagine what it can do focused on a topic you’re working on!

Remember, interacting with AI, particularly generative large language models (LLMs), is an iterative process. It’s less about posing a single question and more about an ongoing dialogue, continually shaping and guiding the AI to your desired endpoint, much like collaborating with a human assistant.

Leave your feedback and questions below, and look forward to the next volume. 

Recent Posts

A robot is sitting at a desk with a computer and keyboard.
By Benjamin Udell January 8, 2025
ChatGPT’s Projects Tab is a small change with massive potential, making everyday use of ChatGPT easier and more productive. By integrating features from GPTs and Canvas into a cohesive workspace, it empowers professionals to work smarter, not harder. While it’s not perfect yet, and I'm sure there will be new updates soon, it’s a leap forward in making AI a practical tool for everyday use.
By Benjamin Udell January 4, 2025
New Feature Makes AI Even Easier Integrating ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice mode into your iPhone 16 is a game changer. Apple Intelligence is sneaking up on us, and making everyday AI usage even easier for everyone. Apple has been criticized for not doing enough with AI or dazzling us with magical solutions. Instead, they’re quietly adding new features that are helpful to everyday users. Apple takes a very thoughtful, measured approach—quietly rolling out AI features that are beginning to reshape how we interact with technology. One of the most underrated and easy to use developments is how the iPhone 16’s Action Button is bringing ChatGPT integration to the forefront. This makes AI more accessible for everyone—whether you’re a seasoned pro or completely new to the concept. Let’s review what this feature means, how to enable it, and why it makes AI even easier to use. Other Apple devices and products have been integrating ChatGPT, explore your settings and click the link learn more. Click here to learn more. What’s the Action Button All About? The iPhone 16 has an Action Button on the top-left side of the device. By default, you can set it to handle everyday tasks like: Silencing your phone Activating the flashlight Opening the camera But here’s where things get interesting: you can customize the button to launch ChatGPT, including its powerful Advanced Voice mode. This integration is a significant leap forward, especially compared to Siri, which many users, including myself, hate. Seriously, if Siri, Alexa, or other voice assistants haven’t worked for you, try ChatGPT Advanced Voice. It's one million times better. It has the capability, with no effort by you, of handling questions and tasks with the fluidity of human conversation. You don't need to use the Action Button to engage with ChatGPT Advanced Voice, it just makes it as easy as a couple quick presses of a button. How to Set Up ChatGPT on Your iPhone 16 Action Button To get the most out of this feature, you’ll want to subscribe to ChatGPT Plus ($20/month). This gives you access to advanced features, including Advanced Voice mode, which pairs seamlessly with the Action Button. If you use a free version of ChatGPT the Action Button will work by quickly accesses the ChatGPT app. Here’s how to set it up: Everyday Scenarios Where ChatGPT Shines The possibilities for using ChatGPT via the Action Button are practically endless. Here are some practical examples: At Work: Need help brainstorming ideas, researching a topic, or refining a presentation? Ask ChatGPT while you work. “Talk” to ChatGPT. On the Road: Heading to a meeting? Use ChatGPT to prep by asking questions about the subject matter or getting tips for discussion. If your iPhone is connected by Bluetooth to your car, you can talk to it through your car speakers. In the Kitchen: Stumped on an ingredient substitution or cooking technique? ChatGPT has your back. At Home or On the Go: From DIY fixes to helping kids with school projects, ChatGPT can provide step-by-step guidance. Use ChatGPT to plan itineraries, troubleshoot issues, or get instant answers to curious questions. Why This Matters By integrating ChatGPT into the iPhone 16, Apple has made AI an everyday tool—not just for tech enthusiasts but for everyone. The ease of accessing ChatGPT through the Action Button lowers the barriers to entry, allowing even complete novices to explore the benefits of AI. For experienced users, it’s a productivity boost that brings the power of ChatGPT closer to your fingertips (or voice). For newcomers, it’s an intuitive gateway into a world of possibilities. Customize your Action Button today and start exploring how ChatGPT can transform your personal and professional life. With the power of voice-enabled AI, your phone just got a whole lot smarter. 1.Enable Apple Intelligence Go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri. Toggle Apple Intelligence to “On.” While you’re there, explore the Siri-related features for added customization. 2. Link ChatGPT to Apple Intelligence In the same settings menu, scroll to Extensions and select ChatGPT. Log in to your ChatGPT account to establish the connection. 3.Customize the Action Button Return to Settings and scroll to Action Button. You’ll see options like silent mode, camera activation, and more. Select Controls and choose Open ChatGPT or Open ChatGPT Voice. Pro Tip: Choose ChatGPT Voice for a fully hands-free experience. This feature lets you interact with ChatGPT as if you were having a conversation with a friend—perfect for multitasking—and it’s hands free. Why ChatGPT Advanced Voice Is a Must-Have Once enabled, ChatGPT Voice turns your iPhone into an AI powerhouse. Here’s why it’s worth your time: Hands-Free Convenience: Whether you’re driving, cooking, or on the move, you can speak directly to ChatGPT without touching your screen. Real-Time Assistance: Need quick advice or research while you typing or writing? Just press the Action Button and start talking. Seamless Interaction: The voice feature allows you to interrupt responses, refine queries, and interact naturally—just like you would with another person.
By Benjamin Udell November 22, 2024
Here are key areas of the mega prompt dissected, to help you understand key concepts of effective prompting. 1. Setting the Role and Context “You will act as a bank marketing, sales, and Ag leader” Starting the prompt by defining a clear role for AI is key. It helps AI understand its purpose and ensures that the responses are more relevant to your needs. Here, we're asking AI to play a specific role: a bank leader with knowledge of agricultural solutions. By doing this, AI can better contextualize its output and make sure the content is focused on banking and agricultural needs. For beginners, it’s important to be as specific as possible about what role you want AI to take on. This helps AI align itself with your goals and deliver more insightful responses. 2. Clarify the Goal “The goal is to educate staff on what ag lending is and how employees can identify opportunities or leads while providing excellent service.” Defining a clear goal helps guide the output. In this case, the goal is to educate bank staff about ag lending, with an emphasis on opportunity identification and excellent service. By specifying this, AI knows the end goal and can tailor its content to meet that objective. If you're new to AI, always make sure to state your goals clearly. The more AI knows about what you want to achieve, the more tailored and helpful the response will be. 3. Step-by-Step Collaboration “This will be a step-by-step process where you’ll walk me through each step to create content.” One of the things that makes AI useful for practical, everyday tasks is its ability to break down complex projects into manageable steps. In this prompt, we’re instructing AI to take us through the process step by step, which helps prevent feeling overwhelmed and ensures each part is tackled thoroughly. For new users, remember that AI can be a great collaborator. Use it to break down tasks, check in along the way, and adjust as you go. You can accomplish large tasks in smaller steps. 4. Confirming and Aligning Expectations “You will not move to the next step until I confirm your content is what I need and aligns with my expectations.” By making sure that AI pauses and waits for confirmation before proceeding, the process becomes a truly collaborative one. It allows you to review, adjust, and make sure the content fits exactly what you need before moving on to the next part. This is especially helpful if you’re not sure what you want the final product to look like—it gives you the freedom to refine your needs as the process unfolds. 5. Breaking Down Specific Content Steps The prompt then breaks down specific tasks, like writing a guide, drafting an email, or creating a FAQ. Each task is clear and focused, making it easier for AI to respond accurately and for you to evaluate the content created. For beginners, this structured approach—breaking content down into discrete pieces—ensures that nothing is missed, and you have control at every step of the way. Why This Prompt Shows AI's Transformational Power This prompt is a great example of how AI can take a complex problem—like creating training materials for an entire organization—and break it down into clear, manageable tasks. It shows how AI can serve as an assistant that works alongside you, step by step, ensuring the final result is exactly what you need. This is a brief example, but one that can create draft in minutes rather than hours. It is a jumping off point to refine with AI or edit personally.