Most bad answers from ChatGPT or Claude come from the prompt, not the AI. Vague in, vague out, every single time. This guide gives you the four-part prompt that fixes that in both apps, where to save your background so you only type it once, which model and thinking level to pick, the three follow-ups that rescue a weak answer, and a big library of prompts you can copy today.
Why Your Answers Are Generic
The plan · 5 steps
- 1Copy the four-part prompt and use it on one real task.
- 2Save your background in a Project so you never retype it.
- 3Pick the right model and thinking level for the job.
- 4Fix weak answers with a follow-up instead of starting over.
- 5Grab ready-made prompts from the library at the back.
Before you start
Your account
Any ChatGPT or Claude plan works, including free.
Your task
One real thing you need help with this week.
Your files
The two or three documents a new employee would need to do that task.
Your first goal: Rewrite one vague prompt into a four-part one and compare the answers.
Most people open a chat, type one line like "help me get customers," and decide AI is overrated when it hands back tips they could've found on page one of Google.
Here's what's actually happening. ChatGPT and Claude have no idea what you're trying to achieve, what your business is, or what a good answer even looks like to you. So they do the only safe thing they can. They give you the average answer. A mid prompt gets a mid answer.
The fix isn't a magic word. It's four pieces of information, in order, every time. It works exactly the same way in ChatGPT and Claude.
| Part | What it answers | What happens if you skip it |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Outcome | Where am I trying to end up? | It finishes the task instead of helping you win. Technically correct, practically useless. |
| 2. Task | What exactly should it do right now? | Vague in, vague out. You get advice instead of work. |
| 3. Context | What does it need to know about my situation? | It writes for a generic person with a generic business. |
| 4. Format | How should the answer come back? | Five paragraphs of prose when you needed a table. |
Maverick's tip
Outcome first, always. When the AI knows the end goal, it works backwards from it and every choice it makes gets better. You don't need to label the parts like a form. You just need all four in there.
The Four-Part Prompt
Every good prompt you'll ever write is some version of this. Fill in the brackets and paste it into ChatGPT or Claude.
THE MASTER PROMPT SHAPE # 1. Outcome What I'm ultimately trying to achieve: [GOAL, NUMBER, DEADLINE]. # 2. Task Right now I need you to: [SPECIFIC VERB + NUMBER + CRITERIA]. # 3. Context About me/my business: [SHORT PARAGRAPH]. What I've tried: [PAST ATTEMPTS]. Constraints: [BUDGET, TOOLS, RULES]. I've attached: [FILES]. # 4. Format Give it to me as: [STRUCTURE, LENGTH, READING LEVEL, WHAT TO SKIP].
Here's what it looks like filled in. Compare it to "Write me a cold email to potential clients," which is what most people type.
Outcome: book 10 discovery calls this month. Task: write one cold email I can send to e-commerce founders. # Context I run a 3-person agency doing email marketing for DTC brands. Average client pays $4k/month. My best case study: took Brand X from $12k to $61k/month in email revenue in 90 days. My prospects get 20 agency pitches a week and delete all of them. They care about revenue per subscriber, not 'engagement'. I've attached 3 emails that got replies before, match that tone. Short sentences, no jargon, no 'I hope this email finds you well'. # Format Under 120 words. Subject line + body. Give me 3 versions with different angles.
The second one takes 90 seconds to write. It's the difference between deleting the output and actually sending it.
Give It the Outcome
This is the one that separates beginners from people who get incredible answers. If the AI knows the end goal, it works backwards to the best path there.
Think about hiring someone. Tell a new employee "write me a cold email" and you get a cold email. Tell them "I'm trying to book 10 discovery calls with agency owners this month, and cold email is the channel I'm testing" and you get a completely different email. Same task, different outcome, way better output.
| Not an outcome | An outcome |
|---|---|
| "Write a social post." | "I want this post to get people to click the link in my bio and join my email list." |
| "Help me with my resume." | "I'm trying to land interviews for senior product manager roles at Series B startups." |
| "Summarize this report." | "I need to walk into a board meeting tomorrow and defend our Q3 numbers in under 5 minutes." |
| "Give me some marketing ideas." | "I want to add 1,000 paying customers in 90 days without increasing ad spend." |
An outcome has a destination in it. Often a number. Often a deadline. Always a reason.
Here's what I'm ultimately trying to achieve: [THE REAL GOAL, WITH A NUMBER AND A DEADLINE IF YOU HAVE ONE]. Success looks like: [WHAT YOU'D SEE IF THIS WORKED].
Filled in, it reads like this: "I want to sign 5 new coaching clients at $2k/month by the end of the quarter. Success looks like: 5 signed contracts and a repeatable process I can run again."
Maverick's tip
If you can't state the outcome in one sentence, you don't know what you want yet. That's worth 30 seconds of thinking before you type anything.
Give It a Specific Task
The outcome is the destination. The task is the next step. The more specific it is, the less room the AI has to guess wrong. "Find me 50 leads that are ideal customers for my business" beats "help me get customers" every single time. One is a job. The other is a wish.
| How you ask | What you get back |
|---|---|
| Wish: "Help me get customers." | A list of generic marketing advice. |
| Task: "Find me some leads." | A vague explanation of how to find leads. |
| Specific: "Find me 50 leads that are ideal customers for my business." | An actual list, though it may be off target. |
| Specific and bounded: "Find me 50 e-commerce founders doing $1M to $10M in revenue who post on LinkedIn about ops problems. One row each." | A usable list you can work from today. |
Four things that make a task specific
- A number. 50 leads. 10 headlines. 3 options. Numbers force it to commit.
- A boundary. Who's in, who's out, what's off limits, and what you've already tried.
- A verb that means something. Write, rank, rewrite, compare, find, score, summarize, critique. Not "help with" or "look at."
- A finish line. Say out loud what makes this task done.
Task: [VERB] [NUMBER] [THING] that [CRITERIA]. Do not include [WHAT YOU DON'T WANT]. I've already tried [X], so skip that. This is done when [FINISH LINE].
Maverick's tip
One task per prompt. "Write my landing page, my email sequence and my ad copy" gets you three mediocre things. Do one, then follow up in the same chat.
Give It Context
This is the one everyone skips, and it's the one that matters most. It's the difference between an answer that sounds like the internet and one that sounds like it came from someone who works at your company. The AI can't read your mind, your files or the conversation you had last Tuesday. Everything it knows about your situation is what you give it, so give it a lot.
| Give it | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Who you are | Your business, your role, your customers. Stops it writing for a generic person. |
| Your voice | 3 to 5 pieces of your best writing. It matches your rhythm instead of sounding like AI. |
| The raw material | Docs, transcripts, spreadsheets, screenshots, PDFs. You can upload several at once. It works from your facts, not its guesses. |
| What's been tried | Past campaigns, rejected drafts, what flopped. Stops it handing you the thing that already failed. |
| Constraints | Budget, timeline, tools, rules you can't break. The answer becomes something you can actually do. |
| The audience | Who reads this, what they care about, what they hate. The tone and angle land. |
The 3-file rule. Before any serious task, ask yourself which three files would help a brand new employee do this job well on day one. Upload those. That's the whole technique.
Save it once so you never retype it
Pasting the same background into every new chat gets old fast. Both apps have places to store it permanently, and using them is the single biggest upgrade to your setup.
In ChatGPT
- Projects (every plan): a folder with its own instructions and files. Every chat inside it can see them. Make one per client, product or big goal.
- Custom instructions: Settings > Personalization. Rules that apply to every chat, up to 5,000 characters.
- Memory: also in Settings > Personalization. See what it remembers about you and delete or correct anything.
In Claude
- Projects (Free gets up to 5): upload files once, add instructions, and every chat inside uses them.
- Instructions for Claude: Settings > General > Instructions for Claude. Rules for every chat.
- Memory: on by default. Manage it in Settings > Memory, or just say "remember this."
Paste this into your Project's instructions in either app:
PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS You are working with me on [PROJECT]. # Background My business: [ONE PARAGRAPH]. My customers: [WHO THEY ARE, WHAT THEY WANT]. # How I like things done - Be direct. Cut filler. - If an idea is bad, say so. - Never write in em dashes. - Default to [FORMAT I USUALLY WANT]. # Always check The files in this project before answering.
The fastest way to fill that in: upload a few of your documents and run the prompt below once, then paste the brief into your Project instructions. Ten minutes of work, permanent payoff. Want to go further? My Master Prompt guide turns it into one reusable file, and my Projects guide covers the limits on every plan.
BUILD MY CONTEXT BRIEF (do this once) Task: read everything I've attached and write a one-page context brief about me and my business that I can paste into any future chat. Format: cover who I am, what I sell, who I sell to, how I like to work, and my current goals. Plain English. Under 400 words.
Heads up: Don't paste in anything you wouldn't want stored, like client financials, passwords or private medical info. Redact before you upload. Context is powerful, but use your judgment.
Tell It the Format and Make It Check Its Work
People get a wall of text back, sigh, and turn it into a table by hand. Just ask for the table. Format is usually one sentence at the end of your prompt, and it saves you all the cleanup.
- Structure: "A table with 4 columns: name, why they fit, contact, priority."
- Length: "Under 200 words." "One page max." "Three bullets each."
- Reading level: "Explain it like I'm in seventh grade." "Write it for a CFO."
- Deliverable: "Build this as a spreadsheet." "Give it to me as a document I can download."
- Tone: "Casual, like a text to a friend." "Formal, this goes to a board."
- Order: "Rank them best to worst and tell me why the top one won."
- What to leave out: "No intro, no summary at the end, just the list."
Format: [STRUCTURE], [LENGTH], [READING LEVEL], [WHAT TO LEAVE OUT]. # Examples Format: a table, 10 rows, plain English, no intro paragraph. Format: 5 bullets, under 100 words total, explain it like I'm in seventh grade. Format: build it as a spreadsheet I can download. One tab. No commentary.
Maverick's tip
"Explain it like I'm in seventh grade" is the most underrated line in prompting. It doesn't dumb anything down. It forces the AI to strip out jargon and hedging, which is where bad answers hide.
Then make it check its own work
This is the most underrated technique there is. Tell the AI to check its answer before it hands it over and the quality jumps. Add this to the end of any prompt that matters:
Before delivering, verify: [YOUR CHECKS, LIKE "DOES IT MATCH THE TONE?" AND "IS IT UNDER 500 WORDS?"]. Verify that every claim is supported by the context I provided, and mark any statements that are assumptions rather than facts. The output MUST include: [WHAT IT MUST CONTAIN]. If any are missing, flag it and revise.
Want it to stop just agreeing with you, too? That's the whole point of The Truth Prompt.
Pick the Right Model and Thinking Level
Both apps let you trade speed for brainpower. Quick stuff gets the fast setting. Hard, multi-step problems get more thinking.
In ChatGPT
Open the model menu, pick GPT-6, then set the Thinking slider: Instant, Medium, High, Extra High or Pro.
- Instant for everyday writing, questions and chat. It's right for most of your day.
- Medium or High for math, logic, analysis and multi-step work.
- Extra High or Pro for the hardest problems.
Free and Go get a lighter GPT-6 with a Think button for harder questions. Plus goes up to High. Pro, Business and Enterprise go all the way to Pro. For a cited report, use deep research (every plan, with different limits). For coding, use Codex in the ChatGPT desktop app.
In Claude
Pick the model from the menu next to the send button (at the top on mobile), then set the Effort menu: Low, Medium, High, Extra high or Max.
- Sonnet 5.5 for everyday work. Every plan has it, and it starts on Medium effort.
- Haiku 5.5 for quick, light tasks.
- Opus 5.5 for your hardest work (Pro and up). Pair it with High effort or more.
Thinking is always on with the 5.5 models, so effort is the dial you turn. For a cited report, use + > Research (paid plans). For coding, use Claude Code (Pro and up).
Maverick's tip
Instant or Low effort on a hard problem gets you a shallow answer, and maxing it out on a simple question just wastes your time. What each plan includes changes often, so I keep it all on one page: Plugins, Connectors and MCPs Explained.
Fix Weak Answers With the Follow-Up Loop
Your first prompt is a draft, not a contract. The people who get the best results don't write one perfect prompt. They push back. Three to five rounds is normal.
When an answer is weak, don't start a new chat with slightly different words. A new chat throws away everything it just learned about you. Figure out which of the four parts was missing and patch that one, right in the same chat.
| What went wrong | What failed | Say this next |
|---|---|---|
| It's generic and could apply to anyone | Context | "You don't know enough about my situation yet. Ask me 5 questions that would let you give a much better answer." |
| It gave advice instead of doing the work | Task | "Don't tell me how. Just do it. Produce the actual deliverable." |
| It's correct but doesn't help me win | Outcome | "Remember the goal is [X]. Redo this optimizing for that, not for completeness." |
| It's a wall of text | Format | "Same content. Give it to me as a table with 4 columns and no intro." |
| It's too safe and hedged | Task | "Pick one and defend it. No 'it depends'. Tell me what you'd actually do." |
Three follow-ups worth memorizing
1. THE INTERVIEW (fixes missing context fast) Before you answer, ask me 5 questions that would let you give me a much better answer. Then wait for my replies.
2. THE CRITIQUE (makes the second draft much better) Now critique what you just wrote. What's the weakest part and why? Then rewrite only that part.
3. THE STAKES (kills the hedging) Assume this has to work or I lose the client. What would you change? Be blunt.
Maverick's tip
The interview is the single fastest fix, and it works before you start too. Stuck and can't even write a good prompt? Type "I'm stuck on [PROBLEM]" and paste the interview under it. The AI usually knows exactly what it's missing. It just won't tell you unless you ask.
Worked Examples and Other Frameworks
Here are the same four parts on three different jobs, so you can use them as models for your own. After that come the other frameworks worth knowing. Everything here works in both apps.
Example: the lead list
# Outcome Book 15 sales calls in the next 30 days for my bookkeeping service. # Task Find me 50 companies that fit my ideal customer profile and rank them by how likely they are to need me right now. # Context I do bookkeeping for construction contractors in Texas doing $2M-$20M in revenue. They come to me when they're growing fast and their books are a mess. Attached: my client list and pitch deck. Skip anyone already using a big 4 firm. # Format A table: company, city, est. revenue, why they fit, the signal they need help now, priority score 1-10. Sort by score. No intro.
Why it works: 15 calls in 30 days makes it put urgency over volume. "50, ranked" gets a list instead of a lecture. The niche, revenue band and buying trigger aim it, and named columns mean it lands ready to work from.
Example: the explainer
# Outcome I have to present our new pricing model to the sales team on Monday and get them bought in, not confused. # Task Turn the attached pricing doc into a 5-minute talk track I can deliver from memory. # Context The sales team hates change. Last time we changed pricing, three reps quit. Their main fear is that higher prices mean they miss quota. The new model actually raises their commission on every deal over $50k. # Format Spoken language, not slides. Under 700 words. Lead with what's in it for them. Explain it like I'm in seventh grade. End with the three objections they'll raise and my answers.
Why it works: The outcome is buy-in, not understanding, which changes the whole angle. "Three reps quit last time" reshapes everything. The format handles the objections up front.
Example: the rewrite
# Outcome I want this landing page to convert cold traffic from Instagram into email signups. Currently at 4%, I want 10%. # Task Rewrite the headline, subhead, and the 3 benefit bullets. Give me 3 versions of each. # Context Audience: people who follow me for AI tips and have never bought anything from me. They're skeptical of anything that smells like a course. The freebie is a real guide, not a teaser. Attached: current page + my 5 best-performing captions for voice. # Format Just the copy. Label each version. No explanation unless I ask. Under 30 words per headline.
Why it works: A number to beat makes it write for conversion, not pretty sentences. The skepticism is the whole problem, and now it knows. "Just the copy" saves you scrolling past three paragraphs of preamble.
PTCF: Persona, Task, Context, Format
The same idea with a role up front: "You are a senior financial analyst with 15 years of experience." A role sharpens the answer, but it's no substitute for context. Add constraints (tone, length, what to avoid) and a self-check and you've got the six-part professional prompt.
RISEN: for multi-step processes
Role, Input, Steps, Expectation and Narrowing. Best when you need to walk the AI through a specific process. Steps is the key addition, and Narrowing adds your constraints.
- Role: You are a startup advisor specializing in go-to-market strategy.
- Input: We are launching a B2B SaaS tool. Target: SMBs 10-50 employees. Budget: $10K/month.
- Steps: 1) Identify 3 ideal customer segments. 2) For each, define the pain point and messaging. 3) Recommend 2 acquisition channels with estimated CAC. 4) Create a 90-day launch timeline.
- Expectation: A strategic GTM document I can present to investors.
- Narrowing: Focus only on organic and content-led channels. No paid ads.
CRISPE: for creative work
Capacity/Role, Relevant Insight, Instruction, Style/Personality and Experiment. The Personality part pins down the exact tone, and the Experiment part asks for several options. Best for copywriting and branding, where tone is everything.
Chain of thought: for math and logic
Add "Let's think step by step" and the AI breaks the problem into steps before answering, which cuts errors on math, logic and complex analysis. For really hard problems, also turn up the thinking level from Step 5.
I have a business that generates $50K/month in revenue. My fixed costs are $20K, variable costs are 30% of revenue, and I want to hire 2 new employees at $4K each. Let's think step by step: what is my monthly profit after the new hires, and at what revenue level do I break even if I add a third hire?
Power techniques most people miss
- Few-shot examples. Show 2 or 3 examples of what you want. Showing usually beats describing.
- Negative instructions. Say what not to do: "Do not use jargon." "Do not start with 'In today's fast-paced world.'" "Do not exceed 200 words."
- Role-stacking. "You are a marketing strategist who also has a background in behavioral psychology and data analytics."
- Perspective shifting. "Analyze this business decision from the perspective of the CEO, the CFO, and the head of product. What would each recommend and why?"
- Temperature by phrasing. For facts: "Be precise and factual. Do not speculate." For ideas: "Be creative and unconventional. Surprise me with unexpected angles."
- Focus the dump. Pasting a huge block of text? Add "Focus on X and Y."
Ready-to-Use Prompts
Copy, paste and fill in the brackets. Every one works in ChatGPT and Claude, and every one is built on the same parts: a clear task, your context and the format you want back.
Productivity
Morning Planner
You are my personal productivity coach. Based on these tasks [LIST TASKS], create an optimized daily schedule. Assign time blocks, group similar tasks, identify my most important task, and include 2 break periods. Format as a time-blocked table from 8am to 6pm.
Meeting Summarizer
Summarize the following meeting notes into a structured brief. Include: 1) Key decisions made, 2) Action items with owner and deadline, 3) Open questions that need follow-up, 4) A one-sentence executive summary. [PASTE MEETING NOTES]
Email Inbox Zero
You are a professional communications expert. I have 15 unread emails to respond to. For each email I describe, draft a response that is professional, concise (under 100 words), and matches the appropriate tone. Ask me to describe each email one at a time.
Weekly Review
Act as my accountability coach. Ask me these questions one by one and compile my answers into a structured weekly review: 1) What were your 3 biggest wins? 2) What did not go as planned? 3) What did you learn? 4) Top 3 priorities for next week? 5) One habit to improve?
Goal Breakdown
I want to achieve [GOAL] within [TIMEFRAME]. Break this down into monthly milestones, then break the first month into weekly tasks. For each task, estimate the time required and identify dependencies. Present as a project timeline.
Decision Matrix
I need to decide between [OPTION A] and [OPTION B]. Create a weighted decision matrix with at least 8 criteria relevant to this type of decision. Score each option 1-10 on each criterion. Calculate weighted totals and provide a clear recommendation with reasoning.
Delegation Helper
I am a [ROLE] with these tasks on my plate: [LIST]. Identify which tasks I should do myself, which I should delegate, and which I should eliminate. For tasks to delegate, suggest the ideal person/role and a brief for them.
Focus Session Designer
Design a 90-minute deep work session for me. I need to [TASK]. Include: a 5-minute warmup ritual, clear start/stop times for each sub-task, one micro-break placement, and an end-of-session review prompt.
Business and Sales
Find Customers
Outcome: [X] new customers in [TIMEFRAME]. Task: find me [NUMBER] companies that match my ideal customer profile and rank them. Context: I sell [WHAT] to [WHO]. They buy when [TRIGGER]. My best client is [EXAMPLE]. Skip [WHO TO EXCLUDE]. Format: table (company, why they fit, buying signal, priority 1-10). Sort by priority.
Cold Outreach
Outcome: book [NUMBER] calls this month. Task: write [3] versions of a cold email. Context: I do [SERVICE] for [AUDIENCE]. Proof: [BEST RESULT YOU'VE GOTTEN SOMEONE]. They get pitched constantly and delete everything. Attached: 3 emails that got replies. Match that tone. Format: under 120 words. Subject + body.
Pricing Decision
Outcome: raise revenue without losing my best clients. Task: give me 3 pricing options and pick one. Context: current pricing [X]. Costs [Y]. Competitors charge [Z]. My clients stay because [REASON]. Format: table comparing the 3, then one paragraph on which you'd pick and why. No 'it depends'.
Pricing Strategy
You are a pricing strategist. Help me price [PRODUCT/SERVICE]. My costs are [DETAILS], target market is [DESCRIBE], and competitors charge [RANGES]. Recommend 3 pricing models (with pros/cons of each), suggest a specific price point with justification, and outline an A/B testing plan.
SWOT Analysis
Conduct a comprehensive SWOT analysis for [BUSINESS/PRODUCT]. For each quadrant, provide at least 5 specific points based on the context I provide. Then create an action plan: 2 strategies to leverage strengths, 2 to address weaknesses, 2 to capture opportunities, and 2 to mitigate threats. Context: [PROVIDE DETAILS].
Pitch Deck Outline
Create a detailed outline for a 12-slide investor pitch deck for [BUSINESS]. Include suggested content for each slide: Problem, Solution, Market Size, Business Model, Traction, Team, Competition, Go-to-Market, Financials, Ask, Timeline, and Vision. Base it on: [PROVIDE DETAILS].
Competitive Analysis
Analyze [COMPETITOR 1, 2, 3] as competitors to my business [DESCRIBE]. For each, identify: pricing strategy, target audience, key differentiators, weaknesses, and market positioning. Then identify gaps in the market that none of them are addressing. Present a comparison matrix.
Customer Persona
Create a detailed customer persona for [PRODUCT/SERVICE]. Include: demographics, psychographics, goals, frustrations, typical day, information sources, objections to buying, and the trigger event that makes them search for a solution. Make it specific enough that I could picture this person.
OKR Generator
Generate quarterly OKRs for a [TEAM/DEPARTMENT] at a [COMPANY TYPE]. Create 3 Objectives, each with 3-4 measurable Key Results. Each KR should have a specific metric, target number, and baseline. Include a suggested check-in cadence and risk factors.
Contract Reviewer
Review the following contract and identify: 1) Any clauses that are unusually favorable to the other party, 2) Missing protections I should negotiate for, 3) Ambiguous language that could be interpreted against me, 4) Standard vs non-standard terms. Note: This is for informational purposes; I will consult a lawyer. [PASTE CONTRACT]
Business Plan Executive Summary
Write a one-page executive summary for [BUSINESS]. Include: the problem we solve, our solution, target market with TAM/SAM/SOM estimates, revenue model, current traction, competitive advantage, team highlights, and funding ask with use of proceeds. Make it compelling enough to get a meeting.
Writing and Content
Write in My Voice
Task: read the attached [5] pieces of my writing and write me a style guide that describes exactly how I write. Sentence length, punctuation habits, words I use, words I never use. Format: one page. Then help me save it so you can use it in every chat.
Turn a Doc Into a Post
Outcome: get people to click through to my email list. Task: turn the attached [DOC] into [3] social posts. Context: my audience is [WHO]. They care about [WHAT]. Attached: my 5 best performing posts, match that voice. Format: under 150 words each. Hook in the first line. No hashtags.
Edit My Writing
Task: edit the attached draft. Cut anything that doesn't earn its place. Context: it's for [AUDIENCE] and the goal is [OUTCOME]. It's currently too [LONG/SOFT/VAGUE]. Format: give me the edited version first, then a short list of what you cut and why.
Blog Post Generator
You are a content strategist. Write a 700-word blog post about [TOPIC]. Target audience: [DESCRIBE]. Tone: conversational but authoritative. Structure: compelling hook (no cliches), 3 subheadings, practical examples, and a CTA to [ACTION]. Do not start with "In today's...".
LinkedIn Post Creator
Write a LinkedIn post about [TOPIC/LESSON]. Use the hook-story-insight-CTA structure. Opening line must stop the scroll. Max 200 words. No hashtags in the body. Add 3-5 relevant hashtags at the end. Write in first person, conversational tone.
Cover Letter Customizer
Rewrite my cover letter for a [JOB TITLE] position at [COMPANY]. Highlight how my experience in [YOUR EXPERIENCE] directly addresses their requirements for [KEY REQUIREMENTS FROM JOB POSTING]. Keep it to one page, professional tone.
YouTube Script Writer
Write a 10-minute YouTube video script about [TOPIC]. Structure: strong hook (first 15 seconds), problem setup, solution walkthrough with 3 key points, and a compelling outro with CTA. Include timestamps and suggested B-roll notes.
Product Description
Write a product description for [PRODUCT] targeting [AUDIENCE]. Include: a headline (under 10 words), 3 benefit-focused bullet points (not features), a paragraph explaining the transformation the customer gets, and an urgency-driven CTA.
Newsletter Template
Create a weekly newsletter template for [NICHE/INDUSTRY]. Include: a subject line formula, a personal intro section, 3 curated insights with commentary, one actionable tip, and a conversation starter question. Length: 500-700 words.
Press Release
Write a press release announcing [NEWS]. Include: a compelling headline, a strong lead paragraph (who, what, when, where, why), 2 supporting paragraphs with quotes from [SPOKESPERSON], boilerplate about [COMPANY], and media contact information. Follow AP style.
Research and Analysis
Analyze My Data
Outcome: figure out why [METRIC] dropped. Task: analyze the attached spreadsheet and tell me the 3 most likely causes. Context: [WHAT CHANGED RECENTLY]. [WHAT I ALREADY RULED OUT]. Format: rank the 3 by likelihood. For each, give me the evidence in the data and the one thing I should check to confirm it.
Compare Options
Outcome: [WHAT THE DECISION IS FOR]. Task: compare [OPTION A], [B], and [C] and recommend one. Context: my constraints are [BUDGET, TIME, TEAM]. What matters most to me is [PRIORITY]. Format: comparison table, then a clear recommendation with the strongest argument against it and why you'd still pick it.
Summarize for a Meeting
Outcome: walk into [MEETING] and be the most prepared person in the room. Task: summarize the attached [REPORT/TRANSCRIPT]. Context: the people in the room care about [WHAT]. The likely pushback is [WHAT]. Format: 5 bullets max, then the 3 questions I'm most likely to get asked and my answers.
Learning
Explain It Simply
Task: explain [TOPIC] to me. Context: I know nothing about it and I have to [USE IT / PRESENT IT / DECIDE ON IT] by [WHEN]. Format: explain it like I'm in seventh grade. Under 300 words. One analogy. Then tell me the one thing most people get wrong about it.
Concept Explainer
Explain [COMPLEX CONCEPT] as if I am a [SKILL LEVEL: BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED]. Use 3 real-world analogies, provide one concrete example I can try myself, and end with 3 questions I should be able to answer if I understood correctly. If my skill level is beginner, avoid jargon entirely.
Study Plan Creator
Create a 4-week study plan for learning [SUBJECT]. I can dedicate [X HOURS A WEEK]. Current level: [DESCRIBE]. Include: weekly objectives, specific resources (books, courses, videos), practice exercises, and a mini-project to complete by the end. Format as a weekly calendar.
Socratic Tutor
I want to learn about [TOPIC]. Instead of explaining it to me, teach me using the Socratic method. Ask me questions that guide me to discover the concepts myself. Start with foundational questions and progressively increase complexity. Correct my misunderstandings gently.
Book Summarizer
Summarize the key ideas from [BOOK TITLE] by [AUTHOR]. Include: the central thesis in 1 sentence, the 5 most important concepts, 3 actionable takeaways I can implement today, and a critical analysis of the book's strengths and weaknesses. Format for a busy reader who has 5 minutes.
Skill Assessment
I want to assess my current level in [SKILL]. Ask me 10 progressively harder questions about [SKILL], starting from basics to advanced. After each answer, rate my understanding and explain what I got right or wrong. At the end, give me an overall assessment and a targeted improvement plan.
You are a [LANGUAGE] conversation partner. Have a natural conversation with me in [LANGUAGE]. My level is [BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED]. After every 3-4 exchanges, gently correct any grammar or vocabulary mistakes I made. Adjust difficulty based on my responses. Start with a casual greeting.
Health
Meal Planner
Create a 7-day meal plan for [DIETARY PREFERENCE]. Budget: $[X]/week for [X] people. Include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and 2 snacks. Provide a consolidated grocery list sorted by store section and a Sunday meal prep schedule to batch-cook as much as possible.
Workout Program
Design a [X]-week fitness program. Goal: [LOSE WEIGHT/BUILD MUSCLE/GENERAL FITNESS]. I can work out [X] days per week for [X] minutes. Equipment: [GYM/HOME/BODYWEIGHT]. Include warm-up, main workout, and cool-down for each day. Progressive overload built in.
Habit Tracker Setup
Help me build a habit tracking system for these 5 habits I want to develop: [LIST HABITS]. For each habit, define: the smallest possible version (2-minute rule), a specific trigger/cue, the reward, and how to handle missed days. Then create a 30-day tracking template.
Sleep Optimization
I currently sleep [X HOURS] per night and wake up feeling [DESCRIBE]. Analyze my current routine: [DESCRIBE BEDTIME ROUTINE]. Suggest a science-backed evening routine with specific times, a bedroom environment checklist, and a 2-week sleep experiment I can try.
Stress Management Plan
I am experiencing stress from [SOURCES]. Create a personalized stress management plan with: 3 daily micro-practices (under 5 minutes each), 2 weekly longer practices, 1 monthly reset activity, and specific triggers for when I should escalate to professional help.
Creative
Social Media Content Calendar
Create a 30-day content calendar for [PLATFORM]. My niche: [DESCRIBE]. Include: post type (carousel, reel, story, text), topic, caption draft, best posting day/time, and hashtag set. Mix educational (40%), entertaining (30%), and promotional (30%) content.
Brand Voice Guide
Help me define a brand voice for [BUSINESS]. Analyze these 3 examples of content I like: [PASTE EXAMPLES]. Then create a brand voice document with: personality traits (3 adjectives), tone do's and don'ts, vocabulary preferences, sentence structure guidelines, and 3 example paragraphs in the defined voice.
Short-Form Video Script
Write a 60-second TikTok/Reels script about [TOPIC]. Structure: pattern-interrupt hook (first 2 seconds), problem statement, 3 quick tips with visual cues, and a CTA. Include on-screen text suggestions and transition notes. Tone: energetic and authentic.
Image Prompt Generator
I need images for [PROJECT]. Generate 5 detailed image generation prompts I can use with ChatGPT. Each prompt should specify: subject, composition, lighting, color palette, mood, and style. Make each one visually distinct from the others.
Podcast Episode Planner
Plan a podcast episode about [TOPIC]. Include: an attention-grabbing title, a 3-sentence episode description, a detailed outline with timestamps, 5 discussion questions, 2 potential guest suggestions with why they would be interesting, and a closing CTA.
Career
Resume Bullet Rewriter
Rewrite these resume bullet points using the XYZ formula (Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y] by doing [Z]). Make each one quantifiable with specific metrics. Current bullets: [PASTE BULLETS]. Target role: [DESCRIBE].
Interview Prep Coach
I have an interview for [ROLE] at [COMPANY]. Act as the interviewer and ask me 10 likely questions. After each of my answers, rate 1-10 and give specific feedback on content, delivery, and what was missing. Then suggest a stronger answer using the STAR method.
Salary Negotiation Script
I received an offer for [ROLE] at $[X]. I want $[Y]. Help me negotiate: provide 3 market data points supporting my ask, write an email counter-offer, create a phone script for the negotiation call, and define my walk-away number with reasoning.
LinkedIn Profile Optimizer
Review my LinkedIn profile [PASTE SECTIONS]. I want to attract [TYPE OF OPPORTUNITIES]. Rewrite my headline (max 120 chars), About section (max 300 words), and top 3 experience descriptions. Use keywords that recruiters in [INDUSTRY] search for.
Career Transition Plan
I am currently a [CURRENT ROLE] and want to transition to [TARGET ROLE]. Create a 6-month plan including: skills gap analysis, specific courses/certifications to get, networking strategy (who to reach out to and what to say), portfolio projects to build, and a timeline with milestones.
Money
Budget Creator
Analyze my monthly income ($[X]) and these expenses: [LIST]. Create a budget using the 50/30/20 rule. Identify where I am overspending, suggest 5 specific cuts with estimated savings, and create a monthly budget template I can follow.
Investment Research
Research [INVESTMENT/ASSET CLASS] for me. Cover: current market conditions, historical performance (5-year and 10-year), key risks, tax implications, how it fits into a diversified portfolio, and whether it makes sense for someone with [DESCRIBE SITUATION]. Note: I will verify with a financial advisor.
Tax Deduction Finder
I am a [JOB TYPE/FREELANCER/BUSINESS OWNER] earning $[X]/year. Walk me through every tax deduction I might be eligible for. Ask questions about my situation to identify ones I am missing. Create a checklist of documents I need to gather before filing.
Side Income Evaluator
I have [X HOURS A WEEK] and [SKILLS]. Evaluate 5 side income opportunities for me. For each: estimated monthly income, startup cost, time to first dollar, difficulty level, and scalability potential. Rank them by ROI on my time and recommend the best starting point.
Financial Goal Planner
I want to save $[X] in [TIMEFRAME]. My current monthly income is $[Y] and expenses are $[Z]. Create a savings plan with: monthly targets, specific expense cuts, potential income boosts, milestone checkpoints, and what to do if I fall behind. Include a visual progress tracker format.
Common Mistakes and Quick Fixes
| If this happens | Try this |
|---|---|
| The answer is generic and could apply to anyone | You skipped context. Upload the three files a new employee would need, or run the interview follow-up. |
| You got advice instead of the actual work | Add a verb and a number. "Find me 50..." beats "help me get customers." |
| It's correct but doesn't help you win | Tell it the outcome, then ask it to redo the answer for that goal. |
| You got a wall of text | Say the format: "Same content, as a table with 4 columns, no intro." |
| It hedges with "it depends" | "Pick one and defend it. Tell me what you'd actually do." |
| Five tasks in one prompt came back mediocre | One task per prompt, then follow up in the same chat. |
| You keep retyping the same background | Put it in a Project, or in custom instructions (ChatGPT) or Instructions for Claude. |
| Hard questions come back shallow, easy ones take forever | Match the thinking level: Instant or Low effort for quick stuff, High or more for hard problems. |
| You started a new chat and lost everything | Stay in the thread and correct it. Only start fresh when it's clearly lost the plot. |
| It focused on the wrong part of what you pasted | Say what matters: "Focus on X and Y." |
| You were polite instead of clear | "Could you maybe help me look at some ideas?" is four hedges. Say exactly what you want. |
Quick Reference: The One-Page Cheat Sheet
Keep this open. It's the whole guide on one page, and it works in both apps.
| Part | Ask yourself | One line that does it |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Outcome | Where am I actually trying to end up? | "What I'm ultimately trying to achieve is [GOAL] by [WHEN]." |
| 2. Task | What's the one specific thing I need right now? | "Right now I need you to [VERB] [NUMBER] [THING] that [CRITERIA]." |
| 3. Context | What would a new employee need to know? | "Here's my situation: [...]. I've attached [FILES]. I've already tried [X]." |
| 4. Format | How do I want to receive this? | "Give it to me as [STRUCTURE], [LENGTH], [READING LEVEL], no [WHAT TO SKIP]." |
| Self-check | Did it check its own work? | "Before delivering, verify [CHECKS]. If anything is missing, flag it and revise." |
| Follow-up | Is the answer weak? | "Ask me 5 questions that would let you give a much better answer." |
Thinking level: In ChatGPT, use GPT-6 on Instant for everyday work and Medium or High for hard problems. In Claude, use Sonnet 5.5 on Medium for everyday work and Opus 5.5 on High or more for the hardest ones.
DO THIS TODAY
Open ChatGPT or Claude and create a Project for the thing you work on most. Upload the three files a new employee would need and paste in a short "how I like things done" note. Then take the last prompt you typed, rebuild it with outcome, task, context and format, and compare the two answers side by side.
Published · Checked