Prompting basics
How to ask so you get what you actually need, the first time.
A prompt is simply what you type to the AI. The clearer your brief, the better the answer. Good prompts say who it's for, what you want, the situation, and what the answer should look like.
How it works
- 01Give it the situation: who you are and what's going on.
- 02Say exactly what you want, including any must-haves or no-gos.
- 03Describe the format: a list, a short message, a table, or 3 options to pick from.
Briefing the babysitter
You'd never leave a babysitter with just "look after the kids." You'd say bedtime is 7:30, no screens after dinner, the little one needs her bunny, call if there's a fever. The AI is the same: a vague brief gets a generic answer, a clear brief gets exactly what you need. You don't need magic words, just the details you already know.
Where you'll use it
Birthday party in one prompt
Age, guest count, budget and theme in, a full party plan out.
Captions that sound like you
Tell it your audience, tone and offer, and the captions finally sound on-brand.
Tricky replies
Paste a difficult message and say how you want to come across: kind, firm and short.
Your nap-time experiment
Compare a lazy prompt with a clear one. Send the first, then the second, and see the difference.
Prompt 1: Plan a kids' birthday party. Prompt 2: You're an experienced party planner for busy parents. Plan a 2-hour birthday party at home for my child turning 4. 8 kids aged 3–5, budget CHF 150, theme: little astronauts. I have zero time for crafts. Give me: a timeline, 3 games that need almost no prep, a simple food list, and a shopping list grouped by shop.