Vague prompts like "help users make UGC" produce average output because they give the AI nothing to work with. When you're vague, the model guesses. Treat every prompt like a recipe written for someone who has never been in your kitchen — every step spelled out, every assumption named.
The Recipe Rule
Write each prompt as an explicit recipe. Assume the AI knows nothing about your task. Don't say "write a caption." Specify the audience, tone, length, points to include, and points to avoid. That level of detail is what makes the output repeatable.
Weak vs. Structured Instructions
Compare:
- Weak: "Create a social media post."
- Structured: "Draft a 50-word Instagram caption targeting young entrepreneurs, focusing on time management tips. Include a question to encourage engagement."
The structured version gives constraints, defaults, and a target outcome. The ambiguity drops, and the output lines up with your goal.
Spotting Assumed Context
Read every prompt for assumed context. If your instruction leans on unwritten rules or knowledge living only in your head, the output will surprise you. Scan for terms or references that need background, and put everything important on the page.
Exercise: Reverse-Engineer Your Best Scripts
Take one of your best scripts and break it into a step-by-step recipe. Mark every decision point and every instruction that shaped the final piece. You'll surface the context you supplied by instinct — and learn how to write it down for the next prompt.
