Prompting Power: How to Get AI to Actually Do What You Want (Part 1)

If you’ve ever tried asking ChatGPT or any AI tool a question and felt underwhelmed by the response, you’re not alone. Most people type in something quick, hit enter, and then wonder why the results feel vague, repetitive, or just plain wrong.

Here’s the truth: AI is only as good as the instructions you give it. This is where prompting comes in. Think of prompting like weightlifting at the gym. If you go in and casually wave around some light dumbbells, you’ll barely feel a change. But if you learn the right form, push the right weight, and build on your progress, you’ll see incredible results.

AI works the same way. The difference between a lazy prompt and a powerful one is the difference between wasting your time and transforming your workflow. In this two-part series, I’ll break down not just what prompting is, but how to do it with concrete examples you can put into action today.

Let’s dive into Part 1.

Why Prompting Matters

A prompt is simply the input you give an AI. It’s your instruction set. When your prompts are sloppy, your outputs will be sloppy. Garbage in, garbage out. But when your prompts are thoughtful, specific, and structured, AI becomes one of the most powerful tools you’ve ever worked with.

This is why prompting is considered the “key skill” in AI adoption. Mastering it can help you:

• Save hours on writing, research, and content creation

• Automate repetitive tasks with precision

• Generate ideas you never would’ve thought of alone

• Communicate better with clients and teams

But enough theory, Let’s move to the how.

The Anatomy of a Great Prompt

A strong prompt usually has three parts:

1. Context – What the AI needs to know to “see the big picture.”

2. Instruction – The action you want it to take.

3. Format – How you want the answer delivered.

Most people skip steps 1 and 3. That’s why their results feel generic. Let’s break it down.

1. Give Context

Instead of:

Write me a property description.

Try:

You are a professional real estate copywriter. Write a compelling 250-word property listing for a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home in Madison, Wisconsin. The home has hardwood floors, a renovated kitchen with quartz countertops, and a spacious backyard with a deck.

Notice the difference? The AI suddenly has a role, a location, word count, and the key features. The output will be miles better.

2. Be Clear With Instructions

Instead of:

Summarize this blog.

Try:

Summarize this blog in 5 bullet points written at a 6th-grade reading level. Each point should be no longer than 15 words.

This level of specificity cuts down fluff and gives you exactly what you need.

3. Specify the Format

Instead of:

Help me plan a social media calendar.

Try:

Create a 2-week Instagram content calendar for a real estate brokerage. Provide the post ideas in a table with three columns: Date, Post Theme, and Suggested Caption.

By telling the AI to return a table, you’ve just transformed its answer into something instantly usable.

Three Prompting Frameworks You Can Steal Today

Now that you know the anatomy, let’s put it into practice. Here are three frameworks you can plug in and try right now.

Framework #1: The Role Play

This one is powerful when you need expertise.

Prompt Template:

You are [specific role]. Your task is to [objective]. Please [desired outcome/format].

Example:

You are a real estate coach. Your task is to create a morning routine checklist for new agents to boost productivity. Please format it as a numbered list. Ask me if you have any questions. 

Framework #2: The Step-by-Step

This helps when you need clarity or a process.

Prompt Template:

Explain [topic or task] step-by-step as if teaching it to [audience].

Example:

Explain how to prepare a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) step-by-step as if teaching it to a new real estate agent. Ask me if you have any questions. 

Framework #3: The Iteration

This is where you treat AI like a collaborator, not a vending machine.

Prompt Template:

Draft [content or idea]. Then ask me 3 clarifying questions before revising it for accuracy. 

Example:

Draft an email to clients announcing a new property listing. Then ask me 3 clarifying questions about tone, length, and audience before you revise it.  Ask me if you have any questions. 

This method teaches the AI to refine its own work with your input, which gets you much closer to the final product.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Being too vague: “Help me with marketing” is too broad. Narrow it down.

• Not setting boundaries: If you don’t tell AI your audience or format, it will guess — poorly.

• Asking once and quitting: Iteration is everything. The first draft is never the last draft.

Try This Challenge Today

To make this real, here’s a quick exercise.

1. Pick a task you do every week; maybe writing an email, a listing description, or a social post.

2. Write a one-sentence vague prompt for it.

3. Rewrite it using the three-part anatomy: context, instruction, format.

4. Run both through AI and compare the difference.

This one practice alone will completely shift the way you see prompting.

What’s Coming in Part 2

Now that you know the anatomy of a good prompt and a few frameworks to get you started, we’re just scratching the surface. In Part 2, I’ll walk you through advanced prompting techniques like:

• Using AI to analyze tone and rewrite content

• Crafting mega-prompts that handle multi-step tasks in one go

• The “Super Prompt” method we use in training sessions that changes everything

If Part 1 gave you the keys to start the engine, Part 2 will show you how to drive it at full speed. Stay tuned! this is where it gets exciting.

Final Takeaway

Prompting isn’t about magic words. It’s about clarity, specificity, and collaboration. The better you get at telling AI exactly what you want, and how you want it delivered, the more powerful your results will be.

So, start practicing today. And don’t miss Part 2; that’s where we’ll unlock the real “Super Prompt.”

Ready to dive deep into prompting? Book a training with us today!