Are you using AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude, but getting lacklustre results? If so, you’re not alone — and you’re probably making the same mistake as many UK marketers and business owners: writing vague prompts.
In the same way a vague brief produces poor client work, a vague AI prompt leads to generic, unhelpful responses. The good news? It’s easily fixed. Here’s how to give your AI a proper talking to.
Why Vagueness Fails
Large Language Models (LLMs) aren’t mind-readers. They rely entirely on the input you provide. When you ask something like:
“Help me with a report.”
— the AI is left guessing your intent, audience, topic, tone, and format. You wouldn’t give such a brief to a junior employee, so don’t give it to your AI assistant either.
Compare that to:
“Draft a 300-word executive summary on 2024 UK ecommerce trends, written in a professional tone for a board-level audience.”
The difference is night and day.
The 3-Step Fix for Vague Prompts
- Define your goal: What exactly do you want the AI to do? Be precise.
- Add context: Who is it for? What’s the background?
- Set constraints: Think tone, length, format, or even specific examples.
Before and After Prompt Examples
Unclear: “Write a LinkedIn post about GDPR.”
Clear: “Write a LinkedIn post for a UK SME audience, explaining in plain English why GDPR compliance builds customer trust. Keep it under 150 words, and include a question to drive engagement.”
Unclear: “Help me plan a campaign.”
Clear: “Create a 4-week content campaign plan for a Manchester-based B2B fintech startup targeting UK accountants. The tone should be professional but friendly, and each week should focus on a different pain point.”
Prompt Formula to Use
Here’s a simple structure you can adapt to nearly any situation:
[Action] + [Context] + [Constraints] = Clear Prompt
Example: “Write a 200-word blog introduction for a UK recruitment agency targeting recent grads, in a friendly and approachable tone.”
Test, Refine, Repeat
Even a great prompt may need tweaking. If the first result is close but not quite right, ask the AI to iterate:
“Now rewrite that with a more conversational tone.”
“Add a bulleted summary at the end.”
Prompting is not a one-and-done process — it’s collaborative.
Final Thoughts
The biggest barrier to success with AI isn’t the technology — it’s communication. The better your prompts, the better your outcomes. In the competitive world of UK business, clarity is currency.
Next time you’re disappointed by AI output, ask yourself: did I prompt it like a pro?
Want to dive deeper into advanced prompting techniques or see examples tailored to your sector? Let me know in the comments or connect with me directly.
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