Writing Very Targeted Prompts: The Skill That Changes Everything

We often assume writing prompts is easy. Just toss a few words into a box and expect magic. But here’s the reality. The difference between a vague prompt and a targeted one is the difference between a smart intern and a top-tier strategist. One guesses, the other delivers.

When I first started using AI tools, I didn’t realize the real work was in the input, not the output. Over time, I learned that writing targeted prompts is not just a skill, it’s an edge. And if you can get specific with what you want, you can unlock a level of clarity, creativity, and control most people don't even know is possible.

Let’s break down how you can build that edge.

The First Rule: Know What You Actually Want

Most people write bad prompts because they don’t know what they’re asking for. They write a general request, then get upset when the AI responds with general nonsense. It’s like asking someone to "cook something nice" and expecting a gourmet meal.

When I sit down to write a prompt, I do one thing before typing a word: I write down my intent. Is it to educate? Entertain? Summarize? Sell? That clarity drives everything else.

Take this example:

"Write about leadership."

Now compare it to this:

"Write a 300-word post in a conversational tone about how new managers can handle underperforming team members without hurting morale. Include a real-world scenario."

That’s the difference. Specific prompts guide the AI like a GPS. Vague ones leave it stranded.

Build Structure First, Then Add Layers

Here’s where most people mess up. They think the tone, context, style, format, all of it has to be figured out in one go. That never works. I follow a layering approach.

First, I define the structure. Blog post? Email? Script?

Then, I add context. Who is the audience? What’s the desired action?

Only after that do I refine the style. Is it casual, witty, professional, emotional?

Let’s say I want an Instagram caption for a product launch. Here’s the prompt:

"Write an Instagram caption announcing the launch of a new skincare serum for women in their 30s. Keep the tone empowering and warm. Limit it to 2200 characters and use two emojis."

Every layer adds clarity. You’re not just telling the AI what you want. You’re teaching it how to think like you.

Avoid One-Liner Prompts Like the Plague

Lazy prompts give lazy results. If you just write, "Give me marketing tips," you’ll get recycled fluff from the internet’s bottom shelf.

I learned this the hard way. My early prompts were one-liners, and the answers felt like blog spam. When I rewrote them with deeper context and constraints, everything changed.

Instead of:

"Give me marketing tips."

Use:

"Give me five actionable marketing tips for SaaS founders who are struggling with user retention post-onboarding. Include examples that involve email workflows, in-app messaging, or community engagement."

See the difference? One prompts the AI to think. The other leaves it guessing.

Set Constraints, Not Just Expectations

The magic isn’t just in what you ask, but also in what you don’t want. I call this the boundary rule.

Tell the AI what to avoid. Set limits. It’ll thank you with better output.

If I need a blog post that doesn’t sound robotic, I say:

"Avoid overly technical jargon. Write in a simple, friendly tone that a 10th grader can understand."

If I want creativity, I add:

"Avoid cliches. Use metaphors or analogies instead."

Setting constraints is like giving your AI a runway with edges. It knows where to land, and where not to.

Test and Refine, Don’t Just Accept the First Draft

A prompt is not a final destination. It’s a start. Too many people stop at the first reply and wonder why it doesn’t feel right.

I usually run the same prompt with variations. I tweak one part. Change the tone. Add a constraint. Remove fluff. The results tell me what works and what doesn’t.

Prompt engineering is more like sculpting than typing. You shape, refine, iterate. The first draft is clay, not marble.

Use Real-World Anchors Whenever Possible

AI loves clarity. It performs better when you ground your request in reality.

For example:

"Write a x post about the importance of focus."

vs.

"Write a x post about the importance of deep focus using the example of how Warren Buffett spends hours reading annual reports to spot patterns most people miss. Keep it under 280 characters."

Anchoring helps AI build better metaphors, analogies, and stories. The more grounded your example, the more powerful your output.

Stack Prompts for Compound Outputs

Here’s a trick I use often: chaining prompts.

First, I start with a strategy-level prompt:

"Create a 5-post content strategy for a YouTube channel teaching coding to absolute beginners."

Then, I zoom in:

"Take the second idea from above and write a script outline for a 5-minute explainer video."

Next:

"Now turn that script into a short thread to promote the video."

By stacking prompts, I get coherent content across platforms. It’s all aligned and feels unified. No more random content floating around.

Don’t Be Afraid to Over-Explain

This goes against every copywriting rule, but in prompt writing, clarity beats brevity. Always.

The more information you give, in a structured, readable way—the better your output gets.

I often say:

"Write in a friendly tone. Avoid corporate buzzwords. Start with a real-world example. Paragraphs should be short. Keep sentences under 20 words. Use second-person voice. Don’t use bullets. Don’t summarize at the end."

It may look long, but the AI doesn’t get overwhelmed. It gets smarter.

Prompt Writing Is Not a Hack, It’s a Habit.

This isn’t about tricks. It’s about precision. You build this skill the way you build any creative muscle by writing, testing, failing, and learning.

The next time you feel disappointed by your AI’s response, pause. Look at your prompt. Nine out of ten times, the problem is right there.

So slow down. Think through what you want. Write like you’re briefing a team member who doesn’t know you yet. That’s what AI is. An intern that gets better every time you explain things right.

If you treat prompt writing as a lazy man’s game, you’ll get lazy man’s output. But if you treat it like the craft it is, you’ll start producing results that feel almost magical.

And trust me, that’s when the real fun begins.