Writing Better Prompts: How to Get More Out of AI Tools 2026
- Basic Formula: Role + Goal + Context + Details for effective AI communication
- Crucial Elements: Assigning a specific role, clear goals, sufficient context, desired output format
- Common Mistakes: Being too vague, not assigning a role, forgetting the output format, asking too much at once
- Iterative Process: Testing, refining, and adapting for optimal results
- Practical Value: Better prompts save time, deliver better output, and increase AI effectiveness
The quality of AI output depends entirely on the input you provide. A poorly formulated prompt yields generic results, while a sharp query can provide exactly what you're looking for. For entrepreneurs and marketers who want to save time and achieve better results, prompt engineering has become an essential skill.
Are you already using AI in your marketing? Then also read our guide on top AI tools for marketers in 2026 for practical applications.
Why prompt quality matters
AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini are powerful, but they lack context and intuition. They interpret your requests literally, without reading between the lines. A vague question yields a vague answer. A specific, targeted prompt generates output you can use immediately.
“The quality of AI output depends entirely on the quality of the prompts you provide – garbage in, garbage out applies here more than ever”
For entrepreneurs looking to leverage AI for growth, be sure to check out our AI-driven marketing strategies for 2026.
The ROCKET formula for effective prompts
Instead of asking random questions, use this structured approach:
Role - What role should the AI take?
Objective - What needs to be done?
Context - For whom and in what situation?
Kuality Requirements - What specifications?
Example - Provide an example (optional)
Tone - What tone and style?
Example of the ROCKET formula in action
Bad: "Write a text about lead generation"
Good:
Role: You are a B2B marketing consultant with 10 years of experience.
Objective: Write a practical guide of 800 words.
Context: For SMEs in the technology sector struggling with lead quality.
Quality Requirements: Use 5 concrete tactics, each with a practical example.
Tone: Professional yet accessible, avoid jargon.
Want to learn more about lead generation? Check out our lead generation services for SMEs.
“The difference between a good and bad AI result often lies in one or two words in your prompt – specificity is everything”
Advanced prompt techniques that work
1. Chain of thought prompting
Let the AI reason step by step by adding "think step by step".
Example: You are an e-commerce consultant. A Shopify store has a 2% conversion rate, but the industry average is 3.5%. Analyze step by step which factors could be causing this and provide 3 priority improvement actions.
For more tips on conversion optimization, read our article on CRO in 2026 with AI and Personalization.
2. Few-shot prompting
Provide examples of desired output.
Example: You are a copywriter. Write product descriptions in this style:
Example 1: "This organic coffee from Colombia awakens your senses. Every sip brings you the warmth of the Andes mountains."
Example 2: "Handmade lavender soap. Your skin feels soft, your bathroom smells of Provence."
Now your version for: eco-friendly bamboo toothbrushes.
3. Persona prompting
Let the AI respond from a specific perspective.
Example: You are Emma, 34 years old, a marketing manager at a scale-up with 50 employees. You have a limited budget but need to show results. Which 3 marketing channels would you prioritize and why?
Practical prompt templates for marketing
For content strategy
Template: You are a content strategy expert. Create a content calendar for [company/industry] for Q1 2026.
Target audience: [description]
Channels: [LinkedIn/blog/email]
Goal: [leads/awareness/sales]
Tone: [professional/casual/expert] Provide 4 content ideas per month with title, platform, and call-to-action.
More about content creation with AI? Read our article on AI Copywriting in 2026: Human or Machine.
For ad copy
Template: You are a direct response copywriter. Write 3 Facebook ads for [product/service].
Target audience: [specific description]
Benefit: [biggest pain point you solve]
Length: maximum 125 characters
Include: urgency and social proof
Test different hooks
For professional advertising strategies, check out our performance marketing services.
For email marketing
Template: You are an email marketing specialist. Write a 3-email welcome series for new subscribers of [company].
Email 1: Welcome + expectations
Email 2: Social proof + value
Email 3: Soft sell Tone: [warm/professional/expertise] Each up to 150 words.
For SEO content
Template: You are an SEO content specialist. Write a 1200-word blog post about [topic] for [target audience].
Primary keyword: [main keyword]
Secondary keywords: [list of 3-5 keywords]
Structure: H1, H2, H3 with natural keyword integration
Tone: informative and accessible
Conclude with a clear call-to-action
Want to learn how SEO and AI work together? Read our article on combining SEO and AI for smart content strategies. For professional SEO support, check out our SEO services.
“Effective prompt engineering requires understanding how AI systems 'think' - it's a new skill every professional needs to develop”
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Mistake 1: Being too general
Mistake: "Create a marketing plan"
Better: "Create a 90-day lead generation strategy for a B2B SaaS startup with a €10k monthly budget"
Mistake 2: Not specifying output format
Mistake: "Provide SEO tips"
Better: "Create a checklist of 10 SEO actions for local businesses, each with expected impact (high/medium/low)"
Specifically for local businesses, read our article on local SEO in Belgium.
Mistake 3: Forgetting Context
Mistake: "Write a product launch post"
Better: "Write a LinkedIn post for the launch of our new CRM module, targeting sales managers in the Benelux"
Mistake 4: Not Planning for Iteration
Always start with "Version 1:" and ask for feedback to refine.
The RACE Model for Structured Prompts
Another powerful method is the RACE model, specifically developed for marketing prompts:
Reach - Who do you want to reach?
Act - What action should be taken?
Convert - What is the desired outcome?
Engage - How do you maintain engagement?
Read more about this model in our article on the RACE model for ChatGPT prompts.
Prompt Optimization for Different AI Tools
ChatGPT Specific Tips
Use "Act as..." for role clarification
Request source attribution with "Include sources"
For creativity: increase temperature in settings
Want a full masterclass? Check out our ChatGPT masterclass 2026 guide.
Claude Benefits
Excels in long documents and analysis
Provide more context, Claude can process it better
Explicitly ask for structure and formatting
Gemini Strengths
Good at real-time information
Effective for data analysis prompts
Combine with Google Workspace for workflows
Measurable results from better prompts
The impact of structured prompts is measurable and significant. Research consistently shows better results for companies that systematically work on prompt optimization.
Practice confirms these figures. Dutch marketing agencies are leading the way in prompt engineering, achieving impressive results.
For AI-driven automation in your business, discover our AI automation services.
“The best prompts provide context, specify the desired output, and include examples - this increases the chance of success by 70%”
Building your first prompt library
Step 1: Inventory your most common tasks
Content creation (blogs, social media, advertisements)
Customer communication (emails, FAQs, support)
Strategy development (plans, analyses, reports)
Data analysis and interpretation
Step 2: Develop templates per category
Start with 3-5 basic templates that you use 80% of the time. Test them thoroughly before expanding.
Step 3: Test and document results
Keep track of which prompts provide the best output for your specific use. Make notes of what works and what doesn't.
Step 4: Share and refine
Share successful prompts with your team and refine them based on feedback and new experiences.
Want to get started immediately with advanced techniques? Read our article on advanced prompt engineering.
The evolution towards autonomous AI and agents
The future goes beyond good prompts. We are evolving towards autonomous AI agents that perform complex tasks independently. Read more about this development in our article on autonomous AI and AI agents in marketing.
For companies that want to lead the way, now is the time to build AI skills. Start with prompt engineering, but keep an eye on broader developments.
From SEO to GEO: the future of discoverability
Prompt engineering is also becoming crucial for GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) - optimizing for AI search engines like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity. Read our article on from SEO to GEO to be prepared for this shift.
Get started immediately
Writing better prompts is a skill you develop through practice. Start with the ROCKET formula, build a small library of your best prompts, and experiment with advanced techniques as you become more comfortable.
The difference between AI being a time-consuming toy or a productivity booster lies in how you communicate with it. Invest in your prompt skills – the return is immediately visible.
For professional support with AI implementation in your business, check out our AI for growth services or schedule a free strategy consultation.
🚀 More leads, higher conversion, better ROI
This article provided you with insights. Now it's time for action. Whether you want to build a profitable webshop, generate more revenue from performance marketing or SEO, or grow with AI marketing - we provide concrete support to help you move forward.
💬 Discuss your challenge directly with Frederiek: Schedule a free strategy consultation or send us a message
📧 Prefer to email? Send your question to frederiek@clickforest.com or call +32 473 84 66 27
Strategy without action remains theory. Let's take your next step together.
Frequently asked questions about writing better prompts
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A prompt is the instruction or question you give to an AI tool. It's similar to a briefing for a freelancer – the clearer you are, the better the result.
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Research shows 40-73% better output with structured prompts versus free-text questions. In practice, this often means the difference between usable content and something that needs to be completely rewritten.
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The basic principles remain the same, but each tool has its own strengths. ChatGPT excels in creativity, Claude in analysis, and Gemini performs strongly with real-time information.
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With daily use, you'll see clear improvement within 2-3 weeks. After 2-3 months, you'll be able to apply advanced techniques.
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Yes, but that's rarer than prompts that are too vague. If you notice the AI getting confused, break down complex commands into smaller steps.
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Create a document with categories (content, marketing, analysis) and mark your top 5 per category. Update monthly based on new experiences.
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For complex tasks, yes, because AI models are often better trained on English data. For simple commands, it makes little difference.
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A good prompt generates output you can use with minimal adjustments. If you find yourself rewriting a lot, optimize your prompt.
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Test new variations monthly and update your library quarterly based on what works best for your specific use. AI tools evolve quickly, so keep experimenting.
Sources & References
Prompt engineering best practices and techniques
OpenAI Help Center: “Best practices for prompt engineering with the OpenAI API” – https://help.openai.com/en/articles/6654000-best-practices-for-prompt-engineering-with-the-openai-api
OpenAI Help Center: “Prompt engineering best practices for ChatGPT” – https://help.openai.com/en/articles/10032626-prompt-engineering-best-practices-for-chatgpt
Lakera AI: “The Ultimate Guide to Prompt Engineering in 2025” – https://www.lakera.ai/blog/prompt-engineering-guide
DigitalOcean: “Prompt Engineering Best Practices: Tips, Tricks, and Tools” – https://www.digitalocean.com/resources/articles/prompt-engineering-best-practices
Applications of prompts in marketing and AI tools
PromptMixer: “7 Best Practices for AI Prompt Engineering in 2025” – https://www.promptmixer.dev/blog/7-best-practices-for-ai-prompt-engineering-in-2025
Dev.to: “The Complete Guide to Prompt Engineering in 2025: Master the Art of AI Communication” – https://dev.to/fonyuygita/the-complete-guide-to-prompt-engineering-in-2025-master-the-art-of-ai-communication-4n30
Market data and trends regarding prompt engineering
SQ Magazine: “Prompt Engineering Statistics 2025: Surprising Growth” – https://sqmagazine.co.uk/prompt-engineering-statistics/
Precedence Research: “Prompt Engineering Market Size, Share and Trends 2025–2034” – https://www.precedenceresearch.com/prompt-engineering-market
