How to Write Better Prompts for AI Models: Practical Tips for Better Results

The quality of output you get from AI models like ChatGPT, Claude, or Microsoft Copilot depends heavily on how you communicate with them. Many people get average or inconsistent results simply because their prompts are vague or poorly structured.

Learning how to write better prompts is one of the fastest ways to improve your results with AI — often without needing to switch tools or pay for premium versions.

Why Better Prompts Matter

AI models are powerful, but they are not mind readers. A vague or poorly written prompt often leads to:

• Generic or shallow answers
• Inconsistent results
• Outputs that miss the mark
• Wasted time rewriting and refining

On the other hand, a well-crafted prompt can produce clear, relevant, and actionable responses on the first try. Good prompting turns AI from a novelty into a genuinely useful productivity tool.

Key Principles for Writing Better Prompts

Here are the core techniques that consistently improve AI outputs:

1. Be Specific and Clear

Vague prompts produce vague answers. The more precise you are, the better the result.

Weak prompt: “Write something about customer service.”

Better prompt: “Write a 150-word professional email responding to a customer who is unhappy about a delayed delivery. Apologise sincerely, explain the cause briefly, and offer a 10% discount on their next order.”

2. Give the AI a Role

Assigning a role helps the AI adopt the right tone, expertise level, and perspective.

Example: “You are an experienced HR manager with 15 years of experience. Write a performance improvement plan for an employee who has been consistently late.”

3. Provide Context

Give the AI relevant background information so it understands the situation.

Example: “Our company sells software to small businesses. Write a LinkedIn post announcing our new feature that helps users automate invoice reminders. Keep the tone helpful and professional.”

4. Specify the Desired Format and Length

Tell the AI exactly how you want the output structured.

Example: “Summarise the following meeting notes in bullet points. Include action items with owners and deadlines. Limit the summary to 200 words.”

5. Use Step-by-Step Instructions (Chain of Thought)

For complex tasks, ask the AI to think step by step.

Example: “Analyse the pros and cons of moving our customer support to a hybrid model. First, list the key factors to consider. Then evaluate each factor. Finally, give your recommendation with reasoning.”

Additional Tips for Better Results

• Break complex tasks into smaller prompts — Instead of asking for everything at once, use multiple prompts in sequence.
• Iterate and refine — Treat prompting as a conversation. If the first output isn’t perfect, ask the AI to improve it.
• Use examples — Providing one or two examples of the desired output style can dramatically improve results (this is called few-shot prompting).
• Set constraints — Tell the AI what to avoid (e.g., “Do not use technical jargon” or “Keep it under 100 words”).

Using Prompt Templates

Once you develop effective prompts, save them as templates. This allows you and your team to reuse proven structures for common tasks such as writing emails, summarising documents, or creating reports. Prompt templates help maintain consistency and save time.

If you want to improve how your team uses AI through better prompting and structured templates, we can help. At Skirr AI, we support businesses in developing effective prompting practices and building prompt libraries tailored to their workflows.

Book a free 15-minute scoping call →

How We Can Help You Get More from AI

We help organisations move beyond basic prompting by:

• Creating custom prompt templates for recurring business tasks
• Training teams on advanced prompting techniques
• Designing AI workflows that combine good prompting with automation
• Implementing governed and secure AI solutions across the business

Our focus is on helping you use AI tools more effectively and consistently.

Ready to Write Better Prompts and Get Better AI Results?

Writing better prompts is a skill that can significantly improve your productivity with AI. The techniques above are simple to apply and deliver immediate improvements.

Book a free 15-minute scoping call to discuss how we can help you and your team use AI more effectively.

Visit skirrai.com to get started.

Better prompting leads to better results. With a little practice and the right structure, you can turn AI into a much more reliable and valuable tool for your work.

Want to discuss how this affects your workflows? Book a call →