Understanding Prompts: Let’s Get to Work
Ben • December 2, 2023

No one wants to slog through 5,000-word AI tutorials. Let’s simplify that.

You’re here because you’re intrigued by artificial intelligence (AI). Whether you’re a novice or have some experience, you recognize the need to deepen your AI knowledge. This series, “Understanding Prompts,” is your streamlined guide to fast-track your AI learning and application skills.

I often see learners grasp AI basics with ease. This ability enables them to direct AI for simple tasks like audience-targeted writing or creating specific personas. That’s a solid start. However, when trying to advance in AI through popular social media platforms like X/Twitter, TikTok, or LinkedIn, you’re often met with only the fundamental concepts of AI prompts. These platforms aren’t tailored for in-depth AI learning, particularly for nuanced writing tasks that AI excels at. Your goal might be a concise 500-word AI-generated blog, but the pathway there often involves a dialogue with AI spanning over 5,000 words! Realistically, nobody is engaging with lengthy AI interactions for learning purposes.

5,000-word AI blog = TLDR = No Thanks!

This series will help you improve your AI learning with you working side by side with this blog. 

Creating AI Magic: Clear, Full Prompts and Conversational Depth

Clear, Full Prompts

Crafting a comprehensive AI directive in a single, concise prompt is crucial. While a brief sentence might suffice, it rarely brings about that ‘aha’ moment. More effective prompts encompass a full paragraph or even extend to a detailed set of instructions spanning a page or two. These prompts creatively integrate various topics and specify clear requirements regarding format, length, and output type.

Instead of posing fragmented queries to your AI assistant, present all your inquiries upfront with precise, detailed guidance. Which also gives you a repeatable prompt you can use over and over again, saving more time!

I discovered this approach’s power while developing a marketing campaign using AI. Initially, my process was fragmented, leading to disjointed responses from AI and a loss of overall coherence. By consolidating my requests into a comprehensive two-page prompt, the first draft was not only quickly accomplished but also served as a versatile template for future topics. This method drastically reduced my workload, offering a swift, efficient, and consistent solution. I saved days of work by building one long prompt. DAYS OF WORK!

Depth of Conversation

Engaging in an extended dialogue with AI, akin to iterative brainstorming, unveils its true potential. Imagine instructing a super smart intern to develop a marketing strategy. You wouldn’t expect outstanding results from a generic command like “Build me a marketing campaign.” Nor would the first draft, even if detailed, be close to perfect. The key lies in iterative refinement: providing initial direction, requesting revisions, adjusting the approach, and continually refining ideas until you achieve excellence.

AI operates similarly. While decent results might emerge from a couple of prompts, the truly transformative, magical outcomes materialize after a series of 10 or more refined interactions.

Let’s Begin Our AI Adventure

I promise to keep our journey concise and engaging, far from the daunting 5,000-word AI guides. My goal is to equip you with practical, easy-to-apply AI concepts. As you read the upcoming volumes, I encourage you to actively apply these ideas. Keep one screen open for this blog and another for your AI tool. Experiment with the prompts I provide, or use them as a springboard for your specific interests. Together, we’ll lay a strong foundation in AI.

I’m eager to hear your thoughts and experiences. Feel free to share in the comments or reach out for specific AI topics you’re curious about. Let’s embark on this enlightening AI journey together!

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