So you opened ChatGPT, typed in a request, and got… meh results. You’re not alone. You’re Prompting Wrong.
Here’s the truth: bad prompts = bad outputs.
But the good news? Great prompts = game-changing results.
If you’re new to prompting or just want to level up, this guide is for you. Let’s walk through the biggest mistakes beginners make—and how to write prompts that actually work.
🚫 Mistake #1: Being Too Vague
Bad Prompt:
“Write a blog post about productivity.”
This is like asking someone to make dinner without telling them what ingredients you like or how many people they’re cooking for.
Why It Fails:
It gives zero context. You’ll likely get generic, bland content that doesn’t match your needs.
Fix It:
Add context, audience, and intent.
Better Prompt:
“Write a 500-word blog post about productivity tips for remote workers who struggle with distractions. Make it conversational and use bullet points.”
🚫 Mistake #2: No Clear Outcome
Bad Prompt:
“Help me with social media.”
Why It Fails:
AI isn’t a mind reader (yet). This could mean strategy, content ideas, captions, hashtags—who knows?
Fix It:
Be direct about what you want as the end result.
Better Prompt:
“Give me 5 Instagram captions for a fitness coach promoting a new 30-day challenge. Make them motivational and under 150 characters.”
🚫 Mistake #3: Ignoring Tone & Style
Bad Prompt:
“Write an email for my business.”
Why It Fails:
There’s no indication of your brand voice. Should it sound formal? Friendly? Bold?
Fix It:
Tell the AI how to sound.
Better Prompt:
“Write a friendly, upbeat email to my newsletter subscribers announcing a new product launch. Use a fun tone like Apple or Notion’s marketing.”
🚫 Mistake #4: Not Iterating
Bad Approach:
You try a prompt once. It’s not perfect. You give up.
Fix It:
Think of prompting like talking to a smart assistant. Refine your request. Add or remove details. Guide it like you would a teammate.
Example:
First try: “Give me blog post ideas for my business.”
Refine it to: “Give me 10 blog post ideas for a personal finance blog targeting millennials, focused on budgeting and side hustles.”
🚫 Mistake #5: Forgetting Examples
Why It Matters:
AI learns from patterns. If you show it what “good” looks like, it will try to match that style.
Better Prompt:
“Write a product description for a skincare serum like this example: ‘This lightweight serum hydrates deeply without clogging pores. Packed with hyaluronic acid for a youthful glow.’ Now write one for a facial cleanser.”
✨ Bonus Prompt Formula for Beginners on (You’re Prompting Wrong)
Use this easy template:
[Action] + [Output Type] + [Topic/Details] + [Tone/Style] + [Audience]
Example:
“Create a LinkedIn post that explains how small business owners can use ChatGPT for content creation. Make it informative and friendly, with clear takeaways.”
✅ Final Tips for Prompting Like a Pro:
- Be specific — Clarity beats creativity (at first).
- Give examples — Show what you like.
- Mention your audience — It changes everything.
- State your format — Bullet points? Blog? Email?
- Refine and tweak — Don’t settle on the first try.
🔁 TL;DR: Most People Write Bad Prompts. Don’t Be One of Them.
If your AI results feel off, it’s probably the prompt, not the platform.
Start treating your prompts like instructions to a smart collaborator—and watch how much better your output becomes.
Prompt smarter, not harder. Your results depend on it.
Liked this guide? Let me know how you’re improving your prompts!
#PromptEngineering #ChatGPTTips #AIforBeginners