Like any tool, AI writing tools require skill to be effective. Learn how to unlock the power of AI writing tools by using these secrets to generate high quality AI writing.
The quality AI writing is dependent on the instructions that you provide. “Garbage in, garbage out” is a common phrase used to computer science to describe how poor input leads to poor output. In order to produce writing that is better tailored to your idea, you need to provide detailed instructions that capture the intent of the writing you want to generate.
Prompt Engineering
How can you provide AI writers with good instructions? The answer: “prompt engineering.” It is a concept in natural language processing (NLP) that helps provide AI writers with clear instructions that prime them with details so they can produce writing that aligns with your idea. In other words, it’s the process of crafting specific prompts that give AI writers the context they need to generate high-quality content.
A well-engineered prompt is specific and detailed enough to give the AI writer clear direction. It should provide relevant information such as the tone of the content, the intended audience, the writing style, and the specific topic. For example, if you want the AI writer to create an comprehensive article on a new product, the prompt should include information such as the features of the product, its benefits, and the target audience.
To create a good prompt, you need to have a clear idea of what you want the AI writer to produce. You should think about the purpose of the writing, the message you want to convey, and the specific details that need to be included. Once you have a clear idea, you can start crafting a prompt that provides the necessary context for the AI writer.
Prompt Engineering Hack
If you find yourself struggling to create effective prompts for the AI writing tool you’re using, there is a simple, yet effective hack, that can improve the quality of your written content. Rather than spending time experimenting with prompts, use the AI writer itself for assistance. By instructing the AI writer to generate a prompt for you, you can leverage its powerful language processing capabilities to create a prompt that more closely aligns with your intended idea or topic.
Below is the simple two-step hack to create a prompt that you will use to generate the final AI writing that you want created.
Step 1: Use the AI Writing to Generate a Prompt
The first step is using your AI writer to generate a prompt. It’s important to note that asking an AI writing tool to generate a prompt does require you to provide specific instructions and details about the type of prompt you want to generate.
Generate Instructions Yourself
As a simple example, I wanted Paragraph AI to create a marketing email so readers will want to sign up for a one-year gym membership. I provided this instruction: “Write me a prompt to generate a very persuasive email that leads the reader to sign up for a one-year gym membership in the next 30 days.” Those instructions produced the following prompt:
“Write a persuasive email to encourage the reader to sign up for a one-year gym membership within the next 30 days. Focus on the benefits of joining the gym, such as improved health and fitness, access to a variety of classes, and the convenience of having a gym close to home. Make sure to emphasize the limited-time offer of a one-year membership and the potential savings that come with it. Finally, provide a clear call-to-action for the reader to take advantage of the offer before it expires.”
Generate a Prompt Using a Sample
If you’re having trouble generating a prompt for your AI writer, there’s another hack that can achieve a similar result. Instead of creating instructions to generate a prompt yourself, find sample text that resembles the written content you want to create. Once you’ve found the sample text, instruct your AI writer to create a prompt that will generate content similar to the sample text.
To illustrate this method, I used the written content provided in Step 2 below as my sample text and prompted Paragraph AI with the following instructions: “Generate a prompt to instruct an AI writer to produce written content that is similar to written content I have provided below. The prompt should be sufficiently descriptive. [Sample text from Step 2]”
As a side note, the written content in Step 2 exceeded Paragraph AI’s 1,000 character prompt limit, so only a portion of the text was used.
The instruction and sample text I provided resulted in the following prompt being generated:
“Prompt: Write an article that encourages readers to join a gym. Describe the benefits of joining, such as the discounted rate, the variety of classes, and the convenience of having a gym close to home. Emphasize the expertise of the instructors and the range of classes available to help readers reach their fitness goals. Use the provided content as a reference, but make sure to include your own unique ideas and voice.”
The prompt generated by Paragraph AI included several aspects of the sample text. However, it failed to include instructions to sign up, given its time-limited nature and potential cost savings. The prompt generated by Paragraph AI included several aspects of the sample text. However, it failed to include instructions to sign up, given its time-limited nature and potential cost savings.
The written content is an example why any text generated by an AI writer is not perfect. The writing must undergo thorough review and revision by a human to ensure accuracy and effectiveness.
Step 2: Insert the Prompt into the AI Writer
The second step is inserting the prompt back into the AI writer to produce the final AI writing desired. I copied and pasted the initial prompt generated using my own instructions, which produced the following AI writing:
“Are you looking to get in shape and improve your health? If so, now is the perfect time to join our gym! For a limited time, we are offering a one-year membership at a discounted rate. With this membership, you will have access to a variety of classes and the convenience of having a gym close to home.
At our gym, we offer a wide range of classes that are designed to help you reach your fitness goals. From yoga and Pilates to high-intensity interval training, you can find a class that fits your needs. Plus, our experienced instructors will be there to guide you every step of the way.
We also understand that convenience is key when it comes to staying active. That’s why we have multiple locations throughout the city, so you can find one that is close to home. This way, you can easily fit a workout into your busy schedule.
Take advantage of this limited-time offer and sign up for a one-year membership today! With the potential savings, you can start working towards your fitness goals while also saving money. Don’t wait – this offer won’t last forever! Act now to get the most out of your gym membership.”
As seen above, Paragraph AI’s prompt generated detailed AI writing that followed the instructions.
For comparison, I inserted this vague prompt: “Write an email to encourage the reader to sign up for a one-year gym membership.” Below is the AI writing that was generated, which is written very generally and sounds like a less robust marketing email.
“Are you looking to get fit and stay healthy? If so, then a one-year gym membership is the perfect solution for you! With a one-year gym membership, you’ll have access to a wide variety of fitness classes, equipment, and amenities to help you reach your goals. Plus, you’ll be able to work out whenever you want, with no time restrictions. And, with our competitive rates and discounts, you’ll be able to save money while getting in shape.”
If you want the writing to be just right, you’ll need to take a look at the AI’s prompt and make some changes to make it fit your style.
Conclusion
Prompt engineering requires thoughtful planning and writing skills. If you struggle to generate quality writing instructions, AI writers can be extremely helpful tool to generate a prompt.
AI writers cannot think for you so the content they generate will only be as good as the prompts you provide. Consider taking a writing course to improve your writing if you want to create prompts that best mirror your thoughts.
