AI is now part of many daily business operations, helping with content creation, task automation, and customer support. But the results depend on what you ask it to do. That’s where prompt engineering comes in.
For small business owners and marketers, this isn’t about diving into code. It’s about learning how to ask better questions so you can get the results you actually need. Here’s how to do just that, in plain language, with practical examples.
Understanding Prompt Engineering
Prompt engineering is simply the skill of writing clear and specific instructions for AI tools. Think of it like giving directions to a new team member. If you’re vague, you’ll get inconsistent results. If you’re clear and direct, you’ll get exactly what you’re looking for.
The goal is to get AI to understand your intent, your audience, and your preferred tone so that the content it generates actually fits your business needs.
Start with a Clear Goal
Before you even type a prompt, think about the outcome you’re after. Do you want a product summary? A blog intro? A quick reply to a customer question? Once you’re clear on the goal, write the prompt like a simple set of instructions.
For instance, instead of saying, “Write about our service,” try, “Create a short paragraph introducing our residential cleaning service, focusing on convenience and time-saving benefits.”
This kind of direction gives the AI everything it needs to deliver a response that’s ready to use.
Set the Scene with Context
Just like people, AI needs background information to give better responses. When you’re writing your prompt, include a few key details. If you’re asking for a LinkedIn post, say who it’s for, how long it should be, and what tone to use.
A good example might be, “Write a short post for LinkedIn, under 150 words, introducing a new local service. Keep the tone casual and written from the perspective of a small business owner.”
Give the AI a Role to Play
Instead of just saying, “Write a reply,” try saying, “Act as a customer support agent replying to a delay complaint, keeping the tone calm and helpful.” This tells the AI how to approach the task and match your brand’s communication style.
Roles can range from a marketing expert writing ad copy to a business owner sharing a success story. It’s an easy way to add polish to the final result.
Be Clear About the Format
If you want the answer to show up in a certain style, say so. Need a summary? Say how many paragraphs. Want tips? Mention that you’d like a list or numbered steps.
For example, you could say, “Summarize this in two short paragraphs,” or “Write three quick tips for improving social media posts.” This helps reduce back-and-forth and gets you content that’s easier to use right away.
Guide the AI with Real Examples
AI tools learn well from examples. If you have a style you like, copy and paste a sample and say, “Write something in this tone.” If you’ve drafted something already but want it cleaned up, you can say, “Improve this to sound more confident but still friendly.”
Add Constraints to Fine-Tune the Results
Sometimes, it’s more about what you don’t want. If you need to keep it short, say so. If you want to avoid certain words, make that clear.
You might say, “Keep this under 100 words,” or “Avoid using industry jargon.” These small limits guide the AI to stay within the lines and avoid content that you’d have to fix later.
If you’d like help crafting prompts that suit your business or want to explore how AI could support your team, reach out to Ephrata Solutions today. We’re here to provide expert support tailored to your goals.
