Tired of AI Dad Jokes That All Sound the Same?
When I first teach people about prompting, I often start with a simple example: Write me a dad joke about [insert topic here]. It’s a quick way to show off AI’s creativity, right? Well, here’s what happens 75% of the time:
AI spits out a joke about bringing a ladder to a meeting to “scale” something. The first time, it’s cute. The 12th time, not so much.
So why does this happen? Because everyone gives essentially the same prompt. It’s like expecting a gourmet meal but only handing the chef a potato and some salt. Crafting a compelling AI prompt is about giving it more “ingredients” to work with—specific instructions, context, and structure.
That’s where the PREPARED framework comes in.
What Is the PREPARED Framework?
PREPARED stands for:
- Persona: Tell the AI who it is.
- Request: Be specific about what you want.
- Explain: Provide context and background.
- Process: Lay out steps for the task.
- Aim: Define the goal of the response.
- Restrictions: Clarify what to avoid.
- Examples: Show what success looks like.
- Discuss: Iterate to improve the results.
It’s a bit like assembling IKEA furniture—you get the best results when you follow the instructions carefully (and have a sense of humor about the process).
Now, let’s break down each piece of the framework.
1. Persona: Tell the AI Who It Is
Imagine introducing yourself at a networking event. If you simply say, “I work in business,” the conversation might stay surface-level. But if you say, “I’m a brand strategist for e-commerce startups,” suddenly the chat becomes much more relevant. AI works the same way—it delivers the best results when you tell it exactly who it needs to “be.”
- Why it matters:
The persona shapes the AI’s tone, expertise, and approach. It’s like giving the AI a role to play, ensuring its knowledge and communication style align with your needs. Without this guidance, the AI defaults to being a generalist—and we all know generalists don’t always hit the mark. - Pro Tip:
Start your prompt with “You are…” and describe the persona clearly. Specify expertise, tone, and even an audience it should tailor its response for. - Example Expansion:
“You are a customer support specialist with experience in helping e-commerce businesses improve customer retention. Your responses should be empathetic, concise, and focused on actionable advice.” - Why it works:
When you define the persona, you give AI the tools to tap into its most relevant knowledge and adjust its tone. A well-defined persona ensures the response feels personalized and professional, whether it’s a deep analysis or a quirky social media caption.
2. Request: Be Clear About What You Want
Imagine standing in front of a vending machine and saying, “Give me something.” You could end up with a bag of peanuts—or nothing at all. AI operates in the same way: if your request isn’t clear and actionable, you’re unlikely to get the results you want.
- Why it matters:
Your request is the AI’s main directive. A vague ask leads to guesswork, but a specific, detailed request focuses the AI’s response and minimizes back-and-forth revisions. - Pro Tip:
Use action verbs like “Create,” “Explain,” or “List.” Be as specific as possible about what you want, how you want it, and why you need it. - Example Expansion:
“Write a 500-word summary of the top three marketing trends for 2024. The response should focus on actionable insights for small business owners and include one example per trend.” - Why it works:
A focused request ensures the AI delivers exactly what you’re looking for—without unnecessary fluff or tangents. Clear requests save time and reduce the need for follow-ups, making AI a more efficient partner.
3. Explain: Provide the Background
Picture this: you ask a friend to buy a gift, but forget to mention it’s for a wedding. They might show up with a birthday card! AI thrives when it knows the full story, just like we do. Providing context allows the AI to align its response with your specific needs.
- Why it matters:
Context fills in the gaps that the AI can’t infer. It ensures the output is relevant, accurate, and tailored to your situation. Without this, the AI may rely on assumptions that don’t match your intentions. - Pro Tip:
Provide details about the audience, purpose, tone, and any relevant constraints. More context equals better results. - Example Expansion:
“Draft a press release for the launch of our new productivity app. The app is designed for remote workers and includes features like task tracking and team collaboration. The tone should be professional yet approachable, appealing to tech-savvy professionals aged 25–45.” - Why it works:
By explaining the purpose and audience, the AI can tailor its output to fit your goals perfectly. The more specific your context, the more precise and impactful the response will be.
4. Process: Lay Out the Steps
Asking AI to “just handle it” is like saying, “Cook me dinner,” without mentioning whether you want pasta, steak, or vegan tacos. Sure, it’ll give it a shot, but the results might not match your taste. Instead, outline the steps so AI knows exactly how to approach the task.
- Why it matters:
Providing a process not only organizes the task but also builds context for each step. For example, asking AI to create an outline before writing forces it to plan the structure, ensuring the draft aligns with your goals. This step-by-step approach reduces confusion and sets the foundation for better outputs. - Pro Tip:
Use phrases like “First,” “Next,” and “Finally” to outline your desired workflow, especially for complex tasks. This creates a logical sequence that guides AI through the process. - Example Expansion:
“Write a blog post on remote work trends. Step 1: Research the three biggest trends for 2024. Step 2: Create an outline for a 750-word blog post. Step 3: Write the first draft, including an introduction, three main sections, and a conclusion.” - Why it works:
Breaking tasks into steps allows AI to focus on each piece before moving to the next. Asking for an outline first, for instance, helps AI think through the overall structure and main ideas, making the final draft more cohesive and targeted.
By guiding the workflow, you’re not just organizing the task—you’re also helping AI “think” more like a human, planning ahead and building on its own context as it progresses.
5. Aim: Define the Goal
Imagine asking a team member to write a report but forgetting to mention that it’s for a high-profile presentation. They might create something perfectly functional—but not polished enough for the audience. AI is the same. It needs to know your endgame to deliver results that hit the bullseye.
- Why it matters:
The aim tells AI why you need the output and what success looks like. Without a clear goal, AI may focus on the wrong aspects of the task, leaving you with work that misses the mark. - Pro Tip:
State the purpose of the output explicitly. Words like “to guide,” “to persuade,” or “to inform” can clarify the end goal. - Example Expansion:
“Write a persuasive email to encourage our top-tier clients to renew their subscriptions early. The goal is to highlight the benefits of renewal, emphasize the limited-time discount, and drive immediate action.” - Why it works:
By defining the goal, you help AI craft content that aligns with your strategy—whether it’s driving action, informing decisions, or building trust. This step ensures the output serves a purpose, not just a task.
6. Restrictions: Clarify What to Avoid
Think of restrictions as the “rules of the game.” If you tell AI to write about your product but forget to mention, “Don’t compare us to competitors,” it might throw in an awkward side-by-side comparison you didn’t ask for. Boundaries keep the AI on track and prevent unintended detours.
- Why it matters:
Restrictions eliminate irrelevant or counterproductive content, keeping the response focused on what’s most valuable to you. They’re particularly important when tone, language, or compliance are critical. - Pro Tip:
Be explicit about what the AI should avoid—such as specific words, topics, or tones. Even a quick “no buzzwords, please” can work wonders. - Example Expansion:
“Create a job posting for a customer service manager. Avoid corporate jargon like ‘synergy’ or ‘game-changing.’ Focus on clear language that highlights the responsibilities and benefits.” - Why it works:
By setting boundaries, you ensure the output aligns with your preferences and avoids unnecessary revisions. Restrictions act like a compass, steering the AI away from pitfalls.
7. Examples: Show What Success Looks Like
Imagine asking someone to decorate a cake without showing them a picture of the design you want. You might end up with something artistic—but completely wrong for your vision. AI loves examples because they provide a clear blueprint for what you’re looking for.
- Why it matters:
Examples guide the AI’s tone, style, and structure, helping it align its output with your expectations. They eliminate ambiguity and make the response more on-target from the start. - Pro Tip:
Provide links, references, or even brief descriptions of the tone or style you prefer. If you don’t have an example, describe one in detail. - Example Expansion:
“Write an Instagram post promoting our sustainable yoga mats. Use a tone similar to this post [link to example]—light, conversational, and engaging, with a focus on eco-friendly benefits.” - Why it works:
Examples act as a creative north star for AI, ensuring the response mirrors the look, feel, or structure you have in mind. They also save time by reducing the need for back-and-forth refinements.
8. Discuss: Iterate to Improve
Think of AI as your ultra-enthusiastic intern—it might nail the task on the first try, but chances are it’ll need feedback to make it shine. Discussion and iteration are where the real magic happens.
- Why it matters:
The first draft isn’t always the final draft. Feedback helps refine the output, ensuring it meets your needs and builds AI’s “understanding” of your preferences for next time. - Pro Tip:
When providing feedback, highlight what worked and what didn’t. Ask for specific changes, like “Make the tone friendlier” or “Add bullet points for readability.” - Example Expansion:
Original Output: “Here’s the customer email draft.”
Feedback: “This is a great start! Let’s make the tone a bit warmer and add a sentence thanking the customer for their loyalty. Also, can you include the link to our loyalty program?” - Why it works:
Iteration turns good responses into great ones. By treating AI as a collaborative partner, you refine outputs faster while teaching it to deliver better results in the future.
Why It Matters
Crafting PREPARED prompts doesn’t just improve your results—it transforms AI from a basic tool into a true powerhouse collaborator. By following these steps, you’ll unlock smarter, faster, and more precise outputs, whether you’re writing compelling marketing copy, diving deep into data analysis, or sparking innovative ideas.
Want to become a pro? Check out my full PREPARED Prompt Framework Guide for even more tips and examples. It’s your ultimate playbook for turning “meh” prompts into magic.
With the PREPARED framework, AI doesn’t just answer your questions—it delivers responses that feel tailor-made for your needs. Ready to put it to the test? Start small, experiment, and maybe even ask it for a better dad joke. After all, you deserve better than, “Why did Julie use a ladder with ChatGPT? So she could step up to the challenge of AI!” ??
