If you’ve ever typed something into ChatGPT and felt underwhelmed by what came back, you’re not the only one. Most people aren’t using AI the wrong way. They just haven’t figured out how to talk to it in a way that actually helps.
The good news is, this doesn’t need to be complicated. You don’t need to be super technical or memorize some fancy prompt formulas. You just need to give clear instructions and a little bit of context.
This guide breaks it down in a way that makes sense. Whether you’re writing content, building something new, or just trying to get unstuck, these simple techniques will help you get better results every time.
#1 Say what you’re trying to do, not just what you want it to write
A lot of people open ChatGPT and say something like:
“Write a blog post about time management.”
That might seem straightforward, but it doesn’t give the AI much to work with. You’ll probably end up with something generic and full of fluff.
Instead, give it the big picture:
- What are you trying to create?
- Who is it for?
- Why are you making it?
- How do you want it to feel?
Here’s a stronger version of that prompt:
“I want to write a blog post for busy solopreneurs who constantly feel behind. The goal is to help them feel more in control of their time without adding more to their to-do list. The tone should be casual and helpful, like advice from a friend who gets it.”
That’s the kind of direction that gets useful results.
#2 Give it a role to play
This one’s simple but powerful and hardly anyone ever does it. You’ll get way better results if you tell ChatGPT who it’s supposed to be.
You’re basically saying, “Here’s how to think about this.”
Examples:
- “You’re a copywriter who writes friendly, high-converting emails.”
- “You’re a coach who helps people launch their first digital product.”
- “You’re a content strategist who simplifies complex ideas for beginners.”
This kind of direction instantly changes the output. The voice, the style, the structure, it all becomes more relevant to what you’re trying to do. It makes a huge difference.
#3 Tell it how to organize the response
If you’ve ever felt like ChatGPT’s response was all over the place, that’s probably because it didn’t know what structure to follow.
The fix? Just tell it.
Try prompts like:
- “Write this as a list with five clear sections and a short intro.”
- “Break this into a three-part email sequence.”
- “Organize this as a before-and-after transformation story.”
The more you guide the layout, the easier it’ll be to use the output without rewriting everything yourself. You’ll spend less time editing and more time moving forward.
#4 Show it what good looks like
If you’ve written something you like, or found an example online that fits the vibe you’re going for, share it in your prompt.
ChatGPT learns really well by example and can copy tone and style. You can say:
- “Here’s a paragraph I wrote. Match this tone and style.”
- “Here’s a landing page I like. Can you write something similar for this product?”
- “This is the intro from a blog post I wrote. Keep that energy in the next few paragraphs.”
Even if your example isn’t perfect, it gives the AI something to latch onto. That small effort can lead to a much more natural sounding result.
#5 Think of your prompt like a conversation, not a one-and-done command
One of the best things you can do is stop expecting perfect results from one prompt. So many people discount the power of ChatGPT because they only give it minimal direction. Don’t be one of those people who expect perfection from one short tiny prompt.
Instead, treat it like a back-and-forth:
- Ask for ideas
- Pick one that stands out
- Expand that idea
- Give feedback on what’s working and what’s not
- Refine until it feels like you
You can literally type things like:
- “That’s close, but make it sound more natural.”
- “Can you simplify this? It’s a little too polished.”
- “I like the first section, but the rest feels generic. Let’s go deeper.”
The more you steer it, the better the outcome. You’re the driver. ChatGPT just helps you stay on the road.
#6 Use prompts to think, not just to write
A lot of people only use ChatGPT when they want something written, like a blog post, an email, or a headline.
But honestly? Some of the best value comes when you use it to think through a problem.
Try asking:
- “What’s the clearest way to explain this idea to a beginner?”
- “What questions should I answer in a lead magnet about this topic?”
- “What’s holding people back from buying this offer?”
- “What are five different ways to reframe this message without sounding repetitive?”
These kinds of prompts can help you get unstuck and moving forward, even if you’re not ready to write anything yet.
#7 Save what works and build your own system
Once you find a prompt that works, keep it. Don’t let them go to waste. Save them somewhere you can find them easily.
Create a simple prompt library in Notion, Google Docs, or whatever tool you already use. Group them by task or goal, like blog writing, course building, emails, product research, etc.
Over time this will become your own personal playbook. You won’t have to start from scratch every time. The more you reuse and refine your best prompts, the faster and more consistent your work will get.
You’ll stop wondering, “What do I even ask?”
And start saying, “Here’s what works. Let’s go.”
Final Thoughts
Writing better prompts isn’t about becoming a tech wizard. It’s about getting clear on what you want and learning how to ask for it in a way that makes sense.
You already know how to explain things to a teammate. You already know how to give direction when something’s not working. That’s all you’re doing here.
The more you treat ChatGPT like a helpful assistant and not some magical answer machine, the more useful it becomes.
So start small. Say what you’re trying to do. Give it some context. Talk to it like a person.
Once you do that, you’ll stop getting stuck and start getting stuff done.