What Is Prompting? (No, It’s Not a Fancy New Sport)
When people hear the word prompting, they often think it sounds technical or complicated. In reality, it’s simply the way you ask AI to do something. The better the request, the better the result.
Think of prompting like giving cooking instructions to a four-year-old. If you say, “Make pasta,” you’ll end up with cold noodles in a bowl. If you say, “Boil water first, add pasta for 8 minutes, then stir in the sauce,” you’ll get something closer to dinner.
AI works the same way.
Why Prompts Matter
AI is not a mind reader. It only has the information you provide. A vague request leads to vague results. A clear request gives useful output. That’s why prompting is less about being “clever” and more about being precise.
The Marks of a Good Prompt
A strong prompt usually includes three elements:
Context – What are you working on? Who is it for?
Example: “This is a short guide for small business owners.”
Format – How should the answer look? A list, a summary, a draft?
Example: “Write a checklist with five items.”
Tone – Do you want it formal, casual, or approachable?
Example: “Use a professional but friendly style.”
Weak vs. Strong Prompts
Weak: “Write about healthy food.”
Strong: “Write a 300-word article in a friendly tone with three easy lunch ideas for busy office workers.”
The difference is like asking a child to “tidy up” versus “put the toys in the box and the books on the shelf.” The first is confusing. The second is clear.
Sometimes adding context or giving the AI a role can help with better results.
Weak: “Give me a market analysis of Company A”
Strong: “Act as a senior market analyst. Give me a comprehensive market analysis of Company A in comparison to that field in general. Analyze turnover, revenue, competitive advantages and give full report at the end of your analysis.”
The Bottom Line
Prompting isn’t a secret skill. It’s just clear communication. Once you know how to provide context, format, and tone, you’ll get much better results — and save time rewriting or clarifying.
At Heimo AI, we’ll keep sharing practical examples of how to prompt. With the right approach, AI becomes less frustrating and far more useful.
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