How to Learn Prompt Writing: 101

If you’re new to AI and wondering how to use large language model (LLM) tools like ChatGPT effectively, you’re in the right place. You’ve probably heard people talking about “prompts,” but what exactly are they, and why do they matter? More importantly, how can you write prompts that consistently produce the results you want?

At Social Sales Link, we’ve spent a lot of time mastering the art of prompt writing. To simplify things, we’ve developed the CRISPY™ model: An easy-to-use, structured approach that helps you clearly communicate with AI. 

We’ve also developed askSSL.ai, a tool that utilizes AI to help you begin sales conversations without being salesy by using the power of AI combined with LinkedIn and social selling.

Let’s dive into the basics of prompt writing, and get you started with CRISPY™ today.

What is a Prompt, Anyway?

Think of a prompt as the instructions you give to AI tools like ChatGPT using everyday language. Like when you ask a question or give directions to a colleague, your prompt guides the AI’s response. But there’s a key difference: AI isn’t human. It doesn’t naturally understand subtle hints or vague instructions. The more precise you are, the better your results will be.

For example, a prompt like “Tell me about marketing” will produce a generic, broad response that, let’s face it, will likely be useless to you. But if you say, “Write a short LinkedIn post about three easy marketing tips for small business owners in a conversational tone,” your AI-generated response will be much more valuable and focused.

Why does starting with well-written, well-constructed prompts matter? Simply put, they save time and frustration. These “good” prompts ensure you spend less time fixing, editing, or rewriting. By mastering prompt writing, you unlock more powerful, relevant, and usable content from your AI interactions.

Introducing the CRISPY™ Framework

At Social Sales Link, we wanted a simple yet effective way to teach professionals how to write great prompts consistently. That’s why we created a framework in 2023 that has evolved into what we teach and train on now: CRISPY™. Here’s what it stands for:

* Context – Provide background information, making sure the AI clearly understands your specific situation or needs.
* Role – Clearly define how you want AI to respond. Should it reply as a seasoned sales expert, a friendly peer, or a marketing coach?
* Inspiration – Give AI a central theme or idea to follow, helping keep its responses aligned with your goals.
* Scope – Set clear boundaries to keep AI’s responses relevant. Specify what to include, what to avoid, and the level of detail needed.
* Prohibitions – Explicitly state what you don’t want, steering the AI away from unwanted topics, tones, or styles.
* You – Always ensure your prompt includes your unique voice and perspective, making AI’s response authentic and aligned with your brand.

Why structure your prompts? Without a structured approach, prompts often end up too vague or broad. Vague prompts produce vague results. CRISPY™ helps avoid ambiguity and provides a clear roadmap to consistently strong results.

And why “CRISPY?” It’s easy to remember the acronym and you’ll be able to easily think of what the individual letters stand for when you’re creating your own prompts.

Creating Your First Simple CRISPY™ Prompt

Let’s create your first CRISPY™ prompt together, step by step. Imagine you want to craft a LinkedIn post about social selling tips for beginners:

1. Start with Context (C)

“I’m a sales coach looking to share quick tips on LinkedIn about social selling for beginners.”

2. Define the Role (R)

“Act as an approachable, engaging, yet award-winning social selling expert.”

3. Provide Inspiration (I)

“Focus in on and discuss practical, simple strategies anyone can use immediately.”

4. Set the Scope (S)

“Compose a concise LinkedIn post with three easy-to-follow tips. Keep the total length under 150 words.”

5. Include Prohibitions (P)

“Avoid using complicated sales jargon or overly promotional language.”

6. Incorporate “You” (Y)

“Ask me questions that you need to complete this task, one at a time.”

See the difference? Rather than leaving the LLM guessing, you’ve provided clear, structured instructions, increasing the likelihood that the AI’s response will hit the mark on the first try.

The “Y” in CRISPY™ is the framework element that goes the extra mile for you. By having the AI ask you the questions it needs to build you the best output, it will incorporate your voice and tone into its results.

Easy, Real-World Examples of CRISPY™ in Action

To get you started in the right frame of mind, here are some prompts we have developed by using the CRISPY™ framework. Each prompt below is intentionally generic and designed so you can quickly adapt it to your specific needs. By working with these examples, you’ll get comfortable using CRISPY™ while completing actual tasks and achieving practical goals. You’ll also get a peek “under the hood” at how these real-world prompts deliver effective results.

Sales – Closing Techniques

Closing deals effectively and confidently is critical, yet many sales professionals struggle with what to say when that all-important “moment of truth” arrives. This prompt is designed to help you identify persuasive yet genuine techniques and phrases that encourage your prospects to move forward without resorting to pressure tactics that harm relationships.

Context: I’m looking to finalize deals with potential customers.

Role: Act as an experienced sales closer with a track record of successful deals. 

Inspiration: Discuss effective closing techniques and compelling phrases to ask for the sale confidently. 

Scope: Concentrate on strategies that encourage agreement and movement toward closing. Prohibitions: Do not include high-pressure tactics that could create buyer’s remorse or distrust. 

YOU: Ask me questions that you need to complete this task, one at a time. 

Sales and Marketing – Market Analysis 

Whether launching a new product, entering a new market, or staying competitive, a thorough industry analysis is crucial for your company’s success. Use this prompt to guide your market evaluation, uncover meaningful trends, and identify opportunities and challenges impacting your strategic planning.

Context: I need to analyze the current landscape of the [industry you’re looking to analyze]. 

Role: Assume the perspective of an industry analyst. 

Inspiration: Provide insights into trends, challenges, and opportunities, supported by relevant data. 

Scope: Include key players and both short-term and long-term forecasts. 

Prohibitions: Refrain from including irrelevant industries or superficial observations that lack depth. 

YOU: Ask me questions that you need to complete this task, one at a time.

Marketing – SEO Improvement

Building high-quality backlinks can dramatically enhance your website’s visibility and search rankings. This prompt guides you to develop a focused, ethical, and strategic approach to link-building that will boost your SEO efforts while protecting your brand’s credibility and reputation.

Context: I want to obtain high-quality backlinks to enhance the SEO of [Website name]. 

Role: Act as an SEO consultant. 

Inspiration: Provide strategies for acquiring valuable backlinks to improve search visibility. 

Scope: Focus on ethical, practical, and effective approaches to link building. 

Prohibitions: Avoid black hat techniques or shortcuts that could harm the website’s reputation. 

YOU: Ask me questions that you need to complete this task, one at a time.

General Business – Financial Management 

As someone responsible for business growth and success, strong financial management is a must-have. It can feel overwhelming without proper guidance, however. Use this prompt to develop practical, actionable advice on budgeting, managing cash flow, and navigating common tax concerns without drowning in financial jargon or complicated explanations.

Context: I need a guide for small business financial management.

Role: Operate as a small business financial consultant. 

Inspiration: Provide tips on budgeting, cash flow management, and tax considerations. 

Scope: Focus on practical strategies that small business owners can implement. 

Prohibitions: Avoid overly technical financial jargon that may confuse non-experts. 

YOU: Ask me questions that you need to complete this task, one at a time. 

General Business – Plan for Business Expansion 

Congrats! You’re thinking about expanding your business. It’s an exciting time, but careful planning is key to navigating pitfalls and capitalizing on growth opportunities. This prompt will help you develop a comprehensive expansion plan tailored to your unique goals, assess your current operations, identify strengths and risks, and create actionable strategies to achieve sustainable growth.

Context: Small businesses may face challenges when considering expansion. 

Role: Develop a comprehensive business expansion plan. 

Inspiration: Evaluate current operations, financial health, and market position to identify [EXPANSION GOALS]. 

Scope: Conduct a SWOT analysis to assess strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Outline strategies and create detailed action plans for each, considering resource requirements and potential operational impacts. Address human resource needs and include risk management strategies. 

Prohibitions: Ensure the plan aligns with your overall business vision and goals and remains adaptable. 

YOU: Ask me questions that you need to complete this task, one at a time.

Utilizing the CRISPY™ model when prompt writing empowers you to get consistently strong results from your AI interactions. Remember, transparent and structured prompts are key to unlocking AI’s potential. CRISPY™ will help you save time, communicate authentically, and achieve your goals more effectively. Start experimenting with these examples, refine your approach, and soon, you’ll craft prompts that feel second nature. The more comfortable you become with CRISPY™, the more impactful and authentic your AI-generated content will be.

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