You’re writing ChatGPT prompts wrong — here’s how to fix it

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You know the frustration: you type a question into ChatGPT, hit enter, and get a rambling answer that misses the mark. Or worse, you spend more time rewording your prompt than actually using the AI’s output. For entrepreneurs, every minute counts—unclear prompts mean wasted time and subpar results.

But with a few simple tweaks, you can turn ChatGPT into a precision tool that delivers exactly what your business needs. Let’s break down how to write prompts that get you focused, actionable responses—every single time.

How We Wrote Prompts Like a Pro Copywriter

We put ourselves in the shoes of a solo business owner crafting marketing copy for a new website. The challenge? Get ChatGPT to produce crisp, benefit-focused headlines and body text—without endless back-and-forth edits.

Here’s how we used a structured approach to prompt writing, ensuring every output was on-target and ready to use.

Why This Prompting Approach Works

✅ Sets clear expectations with context & intent, reducing ambiguity

✅ Specifies output format, saving time on editing & reformatting

✅ Uses role prompting to guide tone and style, matching your brand voice

✅ Enables fast iteration—one prompt, multiple refined outputs

✅ Cuts down on wasted cycles, boosting productivity & ROI

How We Did It: Step-By-Step Prompting Guide

When you want ChatGPT to work as a true business assistant, it’s all about how you ask. Here’s the exact workflow we followed to get sharp marketing copy in minutes:

1. Define Your Context & Role

We started by telling ChatGPT who we were and what we needed:

‘Act as a marketing copywriter. I run an AI education platform for entrepreneurs.’ 

This sets the scene so the AI knows how to tailor its language and expertise.

2. Add Relevant Information

Next, we included details ChatGPT should know:

‘My current website headline is ‘AI Education Platform designed for Entrepreneurs.’ Our main value is practical, no-nonsense learning.’ 

The more precise you are, the fewer generic answers you’ll get.

3. State Your Intent Clearly

We followed up with a direct request:

‘I want you to suggest five more effective, benefit-driven headlines that would attract busy business owners.’

A clear ask means a more targeted response.

💫 Level Up

Write Prompts That Get Results—Master the Art with Skill Leap

Ready to consistently get the best from ChatGPT? Our Prompting Essentials: Learn To Use ChatGPT Like A Pro course gives you the hands-on, practical skills to write prompts that work—fast.

You’ll learn how to:

• Use the four-part prompt formula for any business task

• Apply role prompting for expert-level outputs

• Control output formats (tables, lists, summaries, scripts)

• Troubleshoot and iterate for perfect responses

• Build a reusable prompt library that saves hours each week

By the end, you’ll write prompts that think like an expert and perform like a pro.

4. Specify the Output Format

To avoid messy paragraphs, we said:

‘Please present your suggestions as a numbered list.’ 

This way, the output was instantly readable and easy to copy-paste.

5. Review & Refine

The first batch was solid—but we wanted punchier language.

We replied:

‘Can you make these headlines more action-oriented and slightly shorter?’

Instantly, we got a new list that hit the mark.

6. Request Explanations or Alternatives

For learning and future use, we asked:

‘Briefly explain what you changed in this version versus the previous.’

Now, we had insight into effective prompt tweaks for next time.

This approach took less than 10 minutes and produced polished marketing copy that would have otherwise taken hours.

Other Use Cases

Clear, structured prompts aren’t just for marketing. This method transforms how you use ChatGPT for countless business needs—no technical skills required.

✏️ Consultants: Draft proposals or reports tailored to specific client industries

☑️ HR Leads: Create onboarding checklists or job descriptions with a set tone

🛒 Ecommerce Owners: Get product descriptions in table format for easy uploads

🏅 Coaches: Summarize client session notes into actionable next steps

💡Bonus Pro Tips

Show, Don’t Just Tell: Paste a sample output with your prompt to give ChatGPT a model to mimic—this reduces guesswork and errors.

Use Custom Instructions: Set your preferred tone or style in ChatGPT’s settings so it remembers your preferences across sessions.

Build a Prompt Library: Save effective prompts for repeat tasks—reuse and adapt instead of starting from scratch every time.

⏭️ What’s Next

Thursday’s edition drops the biggest AI updates shaping the week.

Next Tuesday, we’re back with another practical how-to to help you get more out of AI in your work.

Stay tuned — good things ahead.