Not getting what you need from ChatGPT? OpenAI shared new tips for writing better prompts — here’s a quick guide to what actually works.
Summary: For better ChatGPT results, structure your prompts clearly (Role, Objective, etc), break into sections, use step-by-step reasoning, repeat key instructions in long prompts, and try building “agents” that act instead of just reply.
Ever asked ChatGPT for help and got… something off?
We’ve all typed a vague prompt like:
“Write an Instagram caption for my product”
…and received something generic, clunky, or just not quite right.
ChatGPT is powerful — but it’s also fast and literal. If you don’t guide it clearly, it’ll guess. Often badly.
OpenAI’s latest prompting advice is here to help. Below, we break it down with real examples tailored for freelancers, content creators, and small business owners.
1. Use a clear prompt structure
OpenAI recommends a structured format:
Role, Objective, Instructions, Steps, Output Format, Examples, Context, Criteria
Here’s a quick comparison:
Prompt A (vague):
“Write a caption for my new productivity planner.”
Response:
Straightforward and clear:
Meet your new productivity partner. Designed to help you stay focused, prioritise what matters, and get things done—without the overwhelm.
Warm and relatable:
Because productivity isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing what matters. This planner helps you keep it simple and stay on track.
For a business audience:
Strategic, simple, and practical. This planner helps you turn your goals into clear action—day by day, week by week.
Prompt B (structured):
“You are a marketing copywriter for a stationery brand. Your job is to write Instagram captions to promote the FocusFlow daily planner. Follow these steps: 1) Hook 2) Benefit 3) CTA. Format as 1–2 short lines. Example caption I like: [Dream, plan, get it done. This is the blueprint you can follow to hit your goals over the next 90 days using the MiGoals Progress Journal. Because who says goals have to take a year?]. The tone should be encouraging, not pushy.”
Response:
Big goals need clear days.
FocusFlow helps you cut the noise and get the right things done. Start planning with intention today.
Overwhelmed by your to-do list?
The FocusFlow planner turns chaos into calm, one focused day at a time. Make space for what really matters.
You don’t need more hours—just a better plan.
FocusFlow helps you stay on track without burning out. Try it and feel the shift.
Plans that actually work? Yes, please.
FocusFlow keeps your goals front and centre, every single day. Grab yours and get started.
Feel like you’re always busy but never done?
FocusFlow guides your day with clarity and purpose. Because productivity should feel good.
The difference in output quality is significant — and you spend less time editing.
2. Separate info clearly
ChatGPT scans for structure. Help it out by breaking up your input. Use headers, bullet points, or even simple tags if needed:
<goal>
Announce launch of our FocusFlow planner
</goal>
<tone>
Encouraging, modern, not salesy
</tone>
<steps>
1. Hook
2. One key benefit
3. CTA
</steps>
This kind of clarity is especially helpful when you’re batching content or using reusable prompt templates.
3. Build an AI agent
Instead of treating ChatGPT like a search bar, you can build an “agent” — to help it take on tasks more independently.
To create an agent:
- Define what tasks it should help with
- Use ChatGPT Pro to create a custom GPT
- Give it clear instructions, tone, and example content
- Test and refine using your real workflow
- Consider expanding with integrations or memory later
Example agent instructions:
You are the Producing Paradise content assistant. Your job is to help Jess and Aimee brainstorm, structure, and refine productivity-focused content for freelancers, small business owners and knowledge workers. Use a friendly but calm tone, British English, and practical advice. Avoid buzzwords. Prioritise Notion, Google Workspace, and digital tools that simplify life.
Example agent prompt template:
I’m planning a [type of content] about [topic]. The target audience is [e.g. freelancers with ADHD]. Please:
1. Suggest 3 title ideas
2. Write a 1-paragraph tl;dr
3. Suggest 3 practical tips or tools to include
Tone: Calm, friendly, practical. Use British English.
It’s especially helpful for freelancers or small business owners who need help staying consistent with repetitive tasks like content calendars, admin, or outreach. Think of it as onboarding a digital assistant you can delegate to — without the overhead.
4. Be explicit with long context
ChatGPT-4 can handle longer inputs — but that also means it needs guidance on what to do with them.
If you’re pasting in a brand guide, past content, or research, be clear about its purpose:
“Use the info below only for tone and voice, not content. Follow the steps above strictly. Repeat back your plan before writing captions.”
Even better? Repeat key instructions at the end. It feels redundant, but helps.
5. Encourage step-by-step thinking
Sometimes you’ll want more than a quick-fire response. In those cases, ask ChatGPT to slow down and reason first.
You can literally say:
“First, think step by step about the audience, tone, and what makes a good caption for this product. Then write three options.”
This kind of ‘chain-of-thought’ prompt leads to more intentional and relevant results — especially when you’re tackling strategy, planning or messaging.
Better prompts, better outcomes
You don’t need to become a prompt engineer to get great results. Just think about how you’d brief a new team member — clear instructions, useful examples, and a little bit of context.
As freelancers and small business owners, we already do this in lots of other areas. Apply that same thinking here, and ChatGPT becomes far more useful — and far less frustrating.
Try it yourself
Got a task coming up? Try one of these ideas right now: Start a new prompt in ChatGPT
So far there are seven posts in this series, check out the others:
- How to personalise ChatGPT
- Help me work
- Help me learn
- Help me with home life
- Have a bit of fun
- Which AI has the freshest data?
And relatedly: Should I use AI, given its concerning environmental impact?