Table of Contents
Why does ChatGPT sometimes sound brilliant and other times useless?
The difference is not the AI — it’s how you talk to it.
Answer
ChatGPT isn’t guessing. It’s following orders.
Sloppy prompts = sloppy drafts. Sharp prompts = usable results.
You wouldn’t hire an employee without a job description. Don’t expect ChatGPT to perform without one either.
This isn’t magic. It’s management.
Clarity turns trial-and-error into repeatable wins.
How to Talk to It
Think of prompts as play calls.
Lazy: “Summarize this.”
Sharp: “Summarize this into 5 bullet points for a board meeting. Focus on revenue, risks, and next steps.”
Prompts are plays. Call them right, and you win.
Example: Voice Control
You can tell ChatGPT not just what to write, but how to write it. Tone, grade level, verbosity, and reasoning level are all under your control.
Prompt:
“Write one paragraph on why small businesses should use AI tools. First at a 9th grade level, brief and concise. Then at a doctoral level, verbosity high, reasoning level harder. Finally, rewrite it in the style of Ernest Hemingway. Then in the style of Donald Trump.”
9th Grade, Brief, Concise:
Small businesses need speed and focus. AI tools cut wasted time and make work faster and smarter. Clear use equals growth.
Doctoral Level, Verbosity High, Reasoning Harder:
The integration of artificial intelligence within small business operations represents not merely a technological enhancement but a profound reconfiguration of competitive advantage. By reallocating cognitive labor from repetitive, low-value tasks to higher-order strategic thinking, AI enables resource-constrained firms to transcend scale limitations. In practice, this transition mitigates operational inefficiencies, enhances decision precision, and sustains adaptability in volatile markets — outcomes historically reserved for enterprises with superior capital access.
Hemingway:
Small businesses live on speed. Time lost is money gone. AI cuts waste and gives answers fast. Use it, or fall behind.
Trump:
Small businesses — I love them. They need AI, believe me. It saves money, it saves time. Nobody saves time better than me. If you’re not using AI, you’re losing.
ROI Prompt
“Turn these meeting notes into an action plan with tasks, owners, and deadlines.”
TL;DR Quick Recap
Prompts are not casual questions — they’re business commands.
Sharp commands turn ChatGPT into your most reliable assistant.
Every clear order saves time and drives results.
Next Action: Test it today — rewrite one sloppy prompt into a sharp one and compare the output.
Maya Reynolds
Editor-in-Chief
AI Super Simplified
How was today's edition?
Bonus Section: The “Recipe Prompt” Trick
What:
A “recipe prompt” is a checklist-style instruction where you spell out the ingredients you want in the answer — topic, format, tone, and audience.
Why:
Most prompts fail because they’re vague. A recipe prompt removes guesswork, making the AI follow steps like a cook following a recipe. That means less editing and faster, sharper output.
How:
Break down your request into 3–5 parts:
Topic (what it’s about)
Format (bullets, email, summary, plan, etc.)
Tone (casual, professional, persuasive…)
Audience (who it’s written for)
Real-World Examples (All 10 Audiences)
1. Contractors
Prompt:
Write an estimate email for a client asking about a stone veneer accent wall.
Include: greeting, 3 cost line items, project timeline, and a polite close.
Tone: professional but easy to read.
Sample Output:
Hi Sarah,
Here’s the estimate for your living room accent wall:
Labor: $3,800
Materials: $2,700
Cleanup: $350
We can finish in 5–6 business days once scheduled. Let me know if you’d like to move forward.
Best,
Paul
2. Designers
Prompt:
Write a mood board description for a client who wants a “cozy modern” living room.
Include: 1 color palette, 2 textures, 1 theme, and a client-friendly explanation.
Tone: creative but simple.
Sample Output:
Palette: Warm beige, charcoal, and muted sage.
Textures: Soft wool + matte black metal.
Theme: Cozy Modern.
This mix keeps the room inviting but with a modern edge that avoids clutter.
3. Finance
Prompt:
Summarize this month’s cash flow for a small retail store with $95k revenue and $82k expenses.
Include: revenue, expenses, net cash, and 2 recommendations.
Tone: analytical but clear.
Sample Output:
Revenue: $95,000
Expenses: $82,000
Net Cash: $13,000
Recommendations:
Trim overtime labor by $3,000.
Reinvest $5,000 into Q4 holiday inventory.
4. Marketers
Prompt:
Write a Facebook ad for a landscaping company promoting fall cleanups.
Include: headline, 2 benefit bullets, and a clear CTA.
Tone: friendly, persuasive.
Sample Output:
Headline: “Leaves Are Falling — Let Us Handle the Cleanup”
Save your weekends — we do the heavy lifting.
Affordable rates, scheduled at your convenience.
CTA: “Book Your Fall Cleanup Today.”
5. Students
Prompt:
Summarize Chapter 7 of a U.S. history class on the Constitution.
Include: 3 key dates, 2 important figures, and 1 cause-effect chain.
Tone: clear, study-ready.
Sample Output:
Key Dates: 1787 (drafted), 1788 (ratified), 1791 (Bill of Rights).
Figures: James Madison, Alexander Hamilton.
Cause → Effect: Weak Articles of Confederation → Stronger federal government through Constitution.
6. Parents
Prompt:
Write a Saturday schedule for a family with 2 kids (ages 8 and 11).
Include: 3 activities, meal breaks, and bedtime.
Tone: warm, organized.
Sample Output:
9:00 AM – Pancakes at home
11:00 AM – Soccer game at town field
1:00 PM – Lunch at Grandma’s
3:00 PM – Science museum visit
6:00 PM – Pizza + board games
9:30 PM – Bedtime
7. Retirees
Prompt:
Write a monthly budget for a retired couple living on a $4,200 monthly income.
Include: fixed expenses, flexible spending, and savings.
Tone: simple and reassuring.
Sample Output:
Income: $4,200
Fixed: $1,300 housing, $500 insurance, $300 utilities
Flexible: $650 groceries, $400 dining/entertainment
Savings: $400 travel fund
Remaining buffer: $650
8. Cooks
Prompt:
Write a weeknight recipe using chicken breasts and broccoli.
Include: 5 ingredients, 3 steps, and a serving suggestion.
Tone: easy and casual.
Sample Output:
Ingredients: Chicken breasts, broccoli, soy sauce, garlic, olive oil
Steps:
Sear chicken until golden.
Add garlic + broccoli, stir-fry 5 minutes.
Toss with soy sauce and serve.
Serve over steamed rice.
9. Travelers
Prompt:
Plan a 3-day trip to Rome for first-time visitors.
Include: 1 must-see attraction per day, dining options, and a travel tip.
Tone: adventurous, practical.
Sample Output:
Day 1 – Colosseum + dinner at Trattoria Luzzi
Day 2 – Vatican Museums + gelato near St. Peter’s
Day 3 – Trevi Fountain + pasta in Trastevere
Tip: Buy attraction tickets online to skip long lines.
10. Fans
Prompt:
Write a recap of last night’s Celtics vs. Heat game.
Include: 3 key plays, standout player, and final takeaway.
Tone: energetic, fan-first.
Sample Output:
Key Plays: Tatum’s 3-pointer at the buzzer, Brown’s dunk in Q3, Smart’s steal in Q4.
Standout: Jayson Tatum, 35 points.
Takeaway: Celtics stayed aggressive late and proved depth wins games.
Takeaway:
Recipes beat rambles. The more details you add, the closer the output matches what you actually needed.