Mastering the Art of AI Prompting: What We've Learned

Effective prompting is the secret to getting the most out of generative AI tools, in particular Large Language Models (LLMs). Whether you're crafting compelling LinkedIn posts, analyzing documents, or creating detailed reports, here are three actionable strategies to improve your prompting game:

1. Prompt Your Tool to Write the Prompt

The best way to start most requests is by asking the tool itself for guidance. For example, if you're stuck, try saying, "What is the best way to phrase a prompt to achieve [your goal]?" This approach lets you align the tool's understanding with your intentions, helping you craft precise and effective requests.

Personal note: the amount of times our team has run into this roadblock, asked ChatGPT to rewrite our prompt, and audibly said “huh, I never would have thought of that” is astounding.

2. Encourage the Tool to Ask Questions

AI can't read your mind… yet!

Joking aside, encourage clarity by prompting the tool to ask you questions where instructions are vague. For instance, "What additional details do you need to clarify this task?" This step minimizes confusion, ensuring the output aligns more closely with your needs.

You can also try asking your tool to be conversational. Try having a conversation to solve a problem rather than a typical “request/answer” interaction. Just as in regular conversation, more ideas, questions, and possible solutions arise when interacting with another.

3. Break Big Tasks into Smaller Chunks

Large-scale tasks, like reviewing lengthy documents, can lead to diminishing AI performance over time.  Think practically: will you be more accurate if you do a 5 step task 20 times or a 100 step task once?  Atomicity is key!

To counter diminishing returns, divide your tasks into manageable sections. If analyzing a 20-page report, prompt the tool to focus on specific sections sequentially. When you spot tapering quality, call out the sections or ask for a re-prompt to narrow down focus.

Example in Action:
Let’s say you're analyzing a report but notice the AI overlooks key points in later sections. You could revise your prompt to:

• "Review pages 1-5 and summarize key takeaways."
• Then: "Now review pages 6-10"
  This segmented approach ensures no detail is left unaddressed.

Wrapping Up

Prompting isn't just about asking, it’s about asking smartly. By refining how you interact with AI tools, you unlock their full potential. Experiment with these tips, and watch your workflows transform into streamlined, highly efficient processes.