What is AI prompt? Why do many users not prompt correctly?

AI prompt is a command or instruction you give to an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to request it to perform a specific task. For example, when you write an AI prompt to create blog content or advertising ideas, the success or failure of the result depends 80% on the quality of the prompt. If the prompt lacks context, has vague goals, or doesn't specify the output format, the AI will give a general, long-winded response that is difficult to apply to SEO or Ads.

The problem isn't that the AI is "weak," but that the brief isn't clear. Many marketers often overlook this element when writing AI prompts, leading to keyword-optimized content, lack of structure, or content that is unsuitable for the target audience. As a result, you waste time editing, or even have to start over. Understanding how to write effective AI prompts will help you better control the output and increase work efficiency.

Basic Components of an Effective AI Content Prompt

When writing AI prompts, you don't always need to use all the components, but mastering them will make your prompt clearer:

• Instructions: Determine what the AI needs to do, who it's for, and what the goal is. Example: "Write a blog post about AI prompts to guide beginner marketers."
• Context: Provide background information such as product, market, customer profile, USP (Unique Selling Point), and brand standards.
• Input Data: Specify the desired document, content snippet, question, or problem to be solved.
• Output: Specify the desired format, such as length, structure (H2/H3, table, checklist), tone, or file type.

Formula for writing AI content prompts"> standard

A simple formula for writing AI prompts: [Role] + [Task] + [Context/Data] + [Constraints/Rules] + [Output Formatting] + [Tone ].

Example: "You are an SEO expert. Task: Suggest 10 blog topics about AI prompts. Context: Target audience: Vietnamese marketers, focusing on how to write AI prompts for content. Constraints: Each topic must have a main keyword. Output: Table with columns [Topic] [Keyword]. Tone : Professional, easy to understand."

This formula helps your AI prompts be concise yet complete, reducing the risk of "not getting the intended message."

How to write content with high-level AI

To write effective AI prompts, you need to focus on clarifying your requirements, context, and desires so that the AI can provide the most accurate answer. Here are some tips:

Write clearly in the command

Incorrect: “Write an advertisement for natural cosmetics”

Correct: “Write 3 Facebook ads for a natural cosmetics shop, targeting female customers aged 25-35, focusing on the benefit of ‘safe beauty’, under 100 words, with a clear CTA clearly.”

Tip: Always visualize the output you want beforehand to provide accurate information.



You need to provide enough information and context for your command

Personalize AI by role

You can ask the AI to play a role. Example:

“You are a copywriter specializing in Facebook ads. Create 5 catchy headline examples for an anti-aging serum product, under 30 characters long.”

This helps the AI “role-play” and create more realistic content.

Provide a sample example

Provide an example to help the AI understand the exact style you want.

Example: “Write an 800-word blog post about how to choose a laptop for students. The writing style should be like the example below: ‘Concise, approachable, with many real-life examples.’”

Break down a big request

Instead of asking the AI to write a 3,000-word article right away, break it down into smaller parts as follows:

Step 1: “Write a detailed outline for the blog post…”

Step 2: “Write the introduction according to the outline above…”

Step 3: “Write each H2 section in detail…”

This method helps the content to be concise, logical, and not rambling.



Example of a practical prompt requesting a meeting summary

Confirm and Re-evaluate

One thing many of you overlook is not asking AI to check your answers; let the AI check them automatically according to the criteria you provide.

Example: “Check if the article adheres to the title ‘SEO Strategy for Online Shops’, and if it is logical, Is it coherent, and engaging? If not, please revise it.”

Some limitations and considerations when prompting AI

To write effective AI prompts, you need to understand the limitations of AI.

• Context window limitations: Don't cram too much information in at once. For large content, break it down into smaller parts so the AI can answer more accurately. When needing to reiterate, briefly summarize the old data.
• Temporary memory limitations: Long chats can cause the AI to forget details. After 5-6 iterations, repeat the core requirement in 2-3 lines. Hallucination: Request AI "Use only the information I provide. If unsure, reply "Insufficient data to confirm." For facts requiring verification, request the source or method of verification.

  Practical application: Create a perfect SEO blog post from A-Z by writing an AI prompt (Copy & use immediately)

  Below is a sample workflow to create a blog post about "mini coffee makers" using a prompt AI.

  Step 1: Research the topic & keywords: "You are an SEO expert. Goal: Build a 90-day blog topic outline for the niche "mini coffee maker". Output: Table 5 columns [Topic] [Main KW] [Secondary KW] [Search intent] [Priority: High/Medium/Low]. Target audience: Male/female 22–35, like to make coffee at home, budget 2–5 million VND."

  Step 2: Detailed outline for an article: "Create a detailed outline for the article "How to choose a mini coffee maker for a small apartment". Requirements: 1 intro (120-150 words), 5-7 H2s, each H2 with 1-2 H3s, 1 conclusion + CTA. Add a list of 5 FAQ questions based on People Also Ask.

  Step 3: Write each section (break it down): "Write the Introduction section of 120-150 words, in a neutral-friendly tone, avoiding clichés, with a hook at the beginning." Then write each H2 section like "Write H2.1 (200-250 words): “Identify usage needs.” Include example scenarios (1 person, 2 people), frequency of use, suitable coffee type ."

  Step 4: Optimize on-page SEO: "Create Meta Title (≤60 characters), Meta Description (≤160 characters), Slug URL, TL; DR 2 sentences. Insert the main keyword 3-4 times naturally; Add 5 secondary keywords in H2/H3.

  Step 5: Self-check & revise: "Self-grade your work according to 5 criteria: Usefulness, depth, clear structure, smoothness, credibility (1-5). Suggest 5 high-priority revisions to improve your score. Then apply it to the final version.

  Discover 5 steps to implementing an effective content strategy

  FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions when learning how to write AI Prompts

  1. Is a longer AI prompt better? No. What's important is clear objectives + sufficient context + specific output.
  2. How to AI “The right brand voice”? Provide sample writing style (2–3 paragraphs), guidelines on rules, and recommended/unrecommended words. How is an AI prompt for SEO different from a prompt for Ads? SEO requires depth and structure, while Ads requires brevity, conciseness, and variant testing. How to reduce “illusions” when writing AI prompts? Require no fabrication, demand sources/verification, and avoid overly vague questions. Should one AI prompt do everything? It should be broken down into stages (research → outline → writing → optimization → proofreading). By applying the above tips, you will write A more effective AI prompt helps your SEO content stand out and achieve the desired results. If you're struggling with AI prompts, try this sample workflow today!

     Conclusion

     Effective use of AI isn't about the tool, but about how you prompt. A good prompt will turn AI into a true partner helping you create quality SEO content, ads, emails, or social posts.

     Try this checklist for your work now. You'll see that AI not only saves time but also improves the quality of your content, thereby helping you increase traffic, conversion rates, and revenue.