Complete Guide to Writing AI Prompts

What are AI prompts?

It's 2025, the year of AI. It's all over the digital space. You probably used it, heard of it, read about it, or unknowingly interacted with it. That Alexa you chat with over Amazon shopping lists or weather information? AI. The "Elaborate" function on Google Docs? AI. These digital buddies act as our personal assistants, promising to make our lives easier. 

But as with any tool, the magic isn't in the machine. It lies in the handling skills. For AI, that comes down to prompts. 
 

So what exactly are they? It's the input from your end, either as a block of text or code, where you ask AI to give us specific results you want. AI turns your vision into reality. Need a Gaudi-style painting of the Eiffel tour? A TikTok script? A marketing campaign? A lesson plan for your recorded class? All possible if you know how to ask. 

But here's the kicker: how you phrase the information, statement, question, command, or code will influence the quality of the results you receive. A well-phrased request will unlock unimaginable outputs, either as text, image, code, audio, or video. A vague, generic one? Not much to expect that you haven't seen before.

Mastering AI prompting isn't just a skill—it's THE skill. Whether you're using ChatGPT, OpenAI, or Microsoft Copilot, knowing their capabilities and limitations and crafting specific prompts is the difference between mediocre, robotic, mind-blowing, and uniqueness.

And yet, most people overlook it.

Not you, though.
 

You're about to master the art of AI prompts in 2025.

Why prompts are essential to good AI output

Most AI systems run on natural language processing and machine learning technology. This means they don't just read your input. They also learn from it. Remember the early days of Google or Safari, when you had to nail the exact words(keywords) to land on page one? Over the years, search engines got better at understanding context, nuances, and details. And that happened thanks to all the input they received. 

AI works the same way.

If you want high-quality output, you need effective AI prompts. Your prompt is the data AI uses to understand how to perform a specific task based on existing knowledge. An effective prompt will minimize misunderstanding errors and generate accurate responses.
 

For example, "Give me content marketing tips." might spit out generic info. But if you turn it into "What are the five high-converting content marketing strategies for a SaaS startup with a limited budget and focus on organic growth?", now AI has context and clear direction, and it is forced to generate a targeted answer.

How to write prompts for AI

Considerations

You do not learn to ride a bike by only reading about how to ride a bike. You hop on, wobble, maybe fall a few times, and then, eventually, ride it. Writing an AI prompt is no different. So, the only way to master it is by using it.

We're not going to sugarcoat it. Even with all the AI prompting guides out there(this included), you won't get it perfect on the first try. However, having the right approach(and a solid starting point) will flatten the learning curve. And, if you're already using AI, this guide will take your results from decent to glorious. 

The beauty of AI is that it can also teach you how to use it. Despite what the "best prompts for AI" hype suggests, it's not some complex sorcery hidden between "magic words." In fact, as new models arise and old ones are improved, prompting will become more intuitive. Of course, some basic information is still necessary for a novice to get the hang of it. And here's what you need to know.

Approaches to AI prompting

Forget the so-called "prompting tips" that flooded the internet in the past year. Those magic incantations formulas rarely deliver. Rather than focusing on strict iterations like "Act as a genius marketer," you should be focusing on two core approaches to getting high-quality output: 

Conversational Prompting

Did you notice how AI interfaces resemble a chat window? That's not just for UI aesthetics. AI wants to "chat" with you in order to fine-tune its response. Think of it as your brainstorming colleague. The more you interact with it, the more you guide it to change and adjust its results based on the additional information you provide during your conversation. 

Have an example to shape its response? Give one.

Want a specific writing style? Mention it.

Keep the conversation going, asking questions and refining outputs until you get exactly what you need.

Tasked-Based Prompting

This is where you go from experimenting to precision, by giving AI a structured prompt for specific results. Usually, this comes after the conversational prompting. Once you understand how AI models interpret prompts, you can craft structured, repeatable instructions.

A highly-deliverable task-based prompt consists of:

• Role of AI – "Act as a teacher, marketer, painter, illustrator, programmer, etc.. "
• Clear instructions in natural, direct language – It can be either the end goal, steps on how to follow, or approach it. Even the exact order you want to do certain tasks can help it get better outputs, such as "Explain first, then provide two real-world examples with reliable sources." 
• Constraints that guide AI – "Keep the response under 250 words. Avoid jargon and repetitive words."
• Examples – You can give a real model to follow and force it to adapt its response to fit a certain style. "Follow this format: [example]."

Unlike conversational prompting, task-based prompts are designed for efficiency. You design a prompt formula that works, and then you can use it repeatedly, and pass it to others.

How to write AI image prompts

An AI-generated image is as good as its prompt is. To test this simple yet powerful concept, let's take a single idea and refine it step by step until we create a powerful prompt that delivers the best results. 

Note: We use our own Image Generator for this test.

Define your main subject

"A battle-hardened warrior in armor"

Source: Flixier.com

Set the scene or background.

Where is the action taking place? "A battle-hardened warrior in armor, standing on the ruins of an ancient battlefield."

Specify lighting, shadows, and color palettes.

How to set the mood through lighting and color? "A battle-hardened warrior in the dark, weathered armor, standing on the ruins of an ancient battlefield, illuminated by the eerie glow of a blood-red sunset, with deep crimson and burnt orange hues dominating the sky."
 

Choose an artistic style.

In what style do I envision the scene? "A battle-hardened warrior in the dark, weathered armor, standing on the ruins of an ancient battlefield, illuminated by the eerie glow of a blood-red sunset, with deep crimson and burnt orange hues dominating the sky. A hyper-realistic digital painting with intricate details on the armor and scars on the warrior's face."

Add emotions and mood.

What’s the emotion I want to evoke? "A hyper-realistic digital painting of a battle-hardened warrior in dark, weathered armor, standing on the ruins of an ancient battlefield, illuminated by the eerie glow of a blood-red sunset, with deep crimson and burnt orange hues dominating the sky. The warrior's expression is weary yet determined, reflecting years of battle and sacrifice."

Define perspective and framing.

What’s the angle and perspective? "A hyper-realistic digital painting of a battle-hardened warrior in dark, weathered armor, standing on the ruins of an ancient battlefield, illuminated by the eerie glow of a blood-red sunset, with deep crimson and burnt orange hues dominating the sky. The warrior's expression is weary yet determined, reflecting years of battle and sacrifice. Cinematic shot, low-angle perspective, emphasizing the warrior's stature and resilience."

Realistic or abstract?

Do you want a realistic image, cartoon style or artistic one? "A hyper-realistic digital painting of a battle-hardened warrior gripping a bloodstained sword, standing on the ruins of an ancient battlefield, illuminated by the eerie glow of a blood-red sunset, with deep crimson and burnt orange hues dominating the sky. The warrior's expression is weary yet determined, reflecting years of battle and sacrifice. Cinematic shot, low-angle perspective, emphasizing the warrior's stature and resilience. Add ultra-realistic textures with fine details on the armor, dust particles visible in the air, and subtle battle scars on the warrior's face. Avoid any exaggerated fantasy elements, overly muscular proportions, or cartoonish aesthetics."

Source: Flixier.com

How to write AI art prompts

Most of us tried at least once(ok, maybe a couple of times) MidJourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, Gemini, or even our Flixier's image generator. So, you already know the thrill: AI can generate anything you can think of: anime scenes, tattoo artwork, futuristic product designs, even a reimagined Cola can straight out of a cyberpunk movie. You name it! 

Or... it can completely fail at it. It all lies on your prompting skills since AI can't really  guess what you want. It simply follows your words like a painter follows a brushstroke. The better the prompt, the better the image it can generate. 
 

For an AI image prompt to work at true potential you need to DEFINE:
 

Main character or scene – Every piece of art has a clear focal point. What's your image about? Is it a person? A landscape? A surreal concept? Define it!

Vague prompt: "A cat". Well, you'll end up with any cat.

Specific prompt: "A majestic black cat with emerald-green eyes, sitting on a gothic castle balcony under a full moon." Now AI knows how to "paint” it.
 

Artistic style or movement - Do you picture a Van Gogh painting style? A cyberpunk illustration? Maybe a Pixar-style animation? Make sure AI knows the style you're aiming for.

No style prompt: "A futuristic city.” That could be anything, from realistic to abstract?

Giving it direction: “A neon-lit cyberpunk cityscape in the style of Blade Runner at mid-dawn, with rain-soaked empty streets and glowing billboards." Now, this is a clear vision.

Specific details - AI builds on details. Think of lighting, layers, angles, textures, techniques, framing, or aspect ratios. The more specific you get, the better.

Dull prompt: " A person riding a bike" Is it a man, girl, woman, boy?

More depth: "A young woman riding a vintage Pegas bicycle through a sunlit Paris street, soft golden-hour lighting, motion blur in the background." That's a well-framed composition for any tool.

Emotional tone—What mood or vibe do you want to evoke? Use words that describe the mood, such as melancholic, cinematic, joyful, etc.

Neutral: "A forest" is an emotionless text prompt, and that’s what it will get you.

Build on atmosphere: "A misty, eerie pine forest at dawn, with twisted trees and a faint glowing light in the distance" gives AI a mood to encompass.

Color specification - If you want a specific color palette or combination, AI has to know about it.

Random color: “A beach at sunset." Is it a rocky beach, sandy or tropical?

Defined color scheme: "A serene tropical beach at sunset, with a sky painted in soft pinks and oranges, reflecting on turquoise soft water." Ohh, this is a clear colorful show to build on!

Level of realism—Do you wish for a hyperrealistic image, a cartoon-style, or something completely abstract.

Ambiguous: " A dragoon." Do you want a realistic one or fantasy?

Clear instruction: "An ultra-realistic dragon with iridescent blue scales, razor-sharp teeth, and glowing ember-like eyes, soaring over a medieval castle."

Action verbs and adjectives - Dynamic prompts simply make better visuals. Use verbs to describe actual actions and then adjectives to convey a specific tone and mood. 

Static: "A girl." Doing what exactly?

Motion: "A fearless young warrior girl, gripping a silver sword, standing atop a rocky cliff as the wind blows through her dark braided hair."

Prompt length—Some models deliver better results on short or long prompts. Test to find out what works best.

Basic: "A mountain scene."

Detailed: "A breathtaking view of the Dolomiti, snow-capped peaks under a crystal-clear blue sky, with a wooden cabin nestled among pine trees in the foreground."
 

AI isn't perfect, but that's where post-editing comes in. Once you've generated your image, take it further. You can use Flixier to turn it into a video or GIF, adjust color correction, apply filters, or tweak gamma values, contrast, and sharpness. AI might have given you the foundation, but with the right edits, you can bring the final masterpiece to an artistic level. 

Tips for writing great prompts

AI models are incredibly powerful and smart but are not mind readers. The secret to getting great results is in writing better prompts. And there are some basic guidelines you need to focus on. If you're generic, you'll get a generic response. If you're specific and detailed, you'll get something closer to what you envisioned.

This is how you guide AI to understand exactly what you want:

Define Your Goal

Specify what you are looking for and clearly state it using natural, simple language. Are you looking to summarize, generate an image, answer a question, restructure, or brainstorm? Before you start typing, ask yourself: “What do I need AI to do?" 

"Give me a text for my DIY blog." This is too open-ended. AI doesn't know what kind of DIY projects you cover on your blog, who your audience is, or how detailed you want the text to be.

"Write a 500-word beginner-friendly blog post for my DIY home decor blog on how to build a floating bookshelf using only basic tools." Now, AI has a clear goal and can come up with relevant content.

Be Specific and Clear

Use language that anyone would understand, like explaining a task to one of your colleagues who's never done it before. Don't give AI too much freedom without enough directions so that you won't end up with generic responses or even completely off the mark.

"Summarize my meeting notes." This is too broad. Does AI need to condense everything into a few sentences? Or to focus on action items?

"Summarize my meeting notes in bullet points. Identify key decisions, next steps, and any follow-up actions required." Now, the AI knows exactly what to focus on.

Assign AI a Specific Role

When you assign AI a role, like "Acting as a researcher," AI will tailor its output according to a researcher's tone, expertise, and response style. When you assign a specific role, the response is much more aligned with your real expectations.

For example, if you need an in-depth explanation, you can tell AI to act as a professor. If you need a marketing pitch, you can make it a sales expert.

"Explain machine learning to me."  The AI doesn't know what level of detail you need.

"Act as a university professor and explain machine learning to a beginner with no technical background. Use simple analogies." Now, AI will tailor its response to match the specific style, depth, and experience.

Provide Positive and Negative Examples

Sometimes, it's more important to tell AI what you definitely don't want to do or how to do it. This avoids results that include cliches, irrelevant details, or formats you don't want or that are too robotic.

Let's say you need an Instagram caption for a bakery. "Write an Instagram caption for my bakery."  This prompt is too broad and could result in something generic like: "Come enjoy our delicious pastries!"

"Write a short, engaging Instagram caption for my bakery's new sourdough bread. Avoid overused phrases like 'baked with love' or 'freshly made.' Instead, focus on the crunchy crust and soft interior." Using this prompt, you avoid overused responses. 
 

Offer Feedback

AI, as humans, learns from feedback. Be it good or bad. Did AI come up with an interesting point of view, a proper structure, or engaging results? Tell it so it can build on it further, or store it as a "good example" for future iterations. The same goes for what you didn't like, so it can improve.

For example, if AI generates a product description for your digital store, but it sounds too robotic, tell it: "Rewrite this in a more conversational and playful tone."

If you're happy with parts of its response but want improvements in others, say: "The introduction is perfect! Now, make the second paragraph more engaging by adding a fun, real fact."

By treating AI as an iterative tool rather than a one-and-done generator, you can work on the results to match your expectations.

Ask AI to Ask You

One of the most important AI prompt tips is giving AI the opportunity to clarify certain details before coming up with a response.

"Ask me any follow-up questions that would help you generate the best possible image of a futuristic city skyline at sunset." The questions that will follow, helps the tool to gather all necessary information before it starts creating, leading to more accurate results.
 

Practice, Test, and Adjust Prompts

This last one is less known and rarely used. But it can upgrade the performance of the prompt template you use. 

• Test different versions of prompts, such as short, direct prompts versus longer, more detailed ones, to see which one performs better.
• Refine your instructions and tweak wording if AI's response isn't quite what you expected.
• Compare generated results by running the same prompt through different AI tools to see which one delivers.

The AI Prompt Formula for Success

[Intent] + [Goal] + [Context] + [Constraints] + [Style/Tone] + [Examples]

Biggest Limitations of AI

 Hallucination: Fabrication of Information

AI models can often generate information that appears reasonable but is entirely fabricated, a phenomenon known as " AI hallucination."

Real-World Example:

In June 2023, a New York lawyer faced sanctions after submitting a legal brief that included fictitious case citations generated by one and only ChatGPT. The AI provided references to cases that never existed, leading to a $5,000 fine for the attorneys involved and their law firm.

How to avoid fabrication of information:

• Verify Information: It’s up to you to always cross-check AI-generated facts with authoritative sources, especially in critical fields like law or medicine.​
• Use AI as an extension: Treat AI outputs as a starting point, not definitive answers. Paying attention and fact-checking is essential to ensure accuracy.​

Ambiguous Responses: Dependence on Prompt Clarity

The responses of AI rely heavily on the specificity and clarity of user prompts. Vague instructions could lead to generic or unclear answers.

Real-World Example:

While specific documented instances are limited, users often report that broad prompts like "Tell me about climate change" yield superficial overviews. On the other hand, more detailed prompts such as "Summarize the key scientific findings on climate change from 2020 to 2025" result in more precise and trust-worthy responses.​
 

How to avoid ambiguous responses:

• Be Specific: Define the goal and details of your query clearly to guide the AI toward the desired and reliable information.​
• Iterative Refinement: If the initial response is too vague, refine your prompt and ask follow-up questions to get more detailed information.​

AI Bias: Reflection of Societal Prejudices

AI systems can unintentionally reinforce the biases that already exist in society.

Real-World Example:

In 2018, Amazon discontinued an AI recruiting tool after discovering it discriminated against female candidates. The system, trained on resumes submitted over a decade, which led in favoring male applicants by downgrading resumes that included the word "women's" or referenced all-women's colleges. ​

How to tackle bias:

• Diverse Training Data: We should use AI models are trained on datasets that are representative and inclusive to minimize inherent biases.​
• Regular Audits: Continuously monitor and evaluate AI systems for biased outcomes, making improvements as needed.​
• Human Oversight: Incorporate your own human judgment in AI-driven decisions, particularly in sensitive areas such as recruitment and law enforcement.​

15 AI Templates to Get the Best Results

Looking to generate text, images, videos, or valuable insights? The proper text prompt can get you from idea to ready-to-use digital product. We've compiled the following 15 high-impact AI prompt templates across different use cases. Now is the best time to bookmark this article for future use.
 

1. Researching & Fact-Checking

Prompt template: "Act as a research analyst and summarize the latest insights on [topic] using data from reliable academic papers, government reports, and expert sources. Highlight key findings, recent statistics, and any conflicting viewpoints."

Why it works: AI won't automatically cite sources unless you instruct it to. This prompt pulls valid information from reputable materials. Be sure to fact-check resources.
 

2. Content Creation & Writing Assistance

Prompt template: "Write a compelling [blog post/article/ newsletter/social media caption] about [topic] in the style of [author or brand tone]. Keep it engaging, insightful, actionable, and free of clichés. Aim for [word count], and include a strong opening hook."

Why it works: AI tends to craft generic content unless you clearly define a certain style and purpose.

3. Video Generation (Scriptwriting + AI Video Tools)

Prompt template: "Create a [30-second/2-minute] video script for [topic/domain] in a [define style: educational, cinematic, TikTok-style] format. The video should have a compelling hook in the first 5 seconds, clear, engaging narration, and high-quality visuals. Suggest text overlays, transitions, and sound effects that will complete the project."

Why it works: AI-powered video tools like Flixier need structure, and this prompt ensures a smooth script-to-video process. Of course, you can even use a prompt for scripting as well, so keep reading.

4. AI-Powered Brainstorming

Prompt template: "Generate five unique ideas for [business, content, product], avoiding overused trends. Include one 'wild card' idea that challenges conventional thinking."

Why it works: AI can get stuck in predictable patterns. Asking for a "wild card" forces it to think beyond standard ideas that it used to.

5. AI for Social Media Marketing & Ad Copy

Prompt template: "Write three variations of a high-converting [Google/Facebook/LinkedIn/Instagram] ad for [product/service/company]. One should be emotional, one high data-driven, and one catchy. Include a compelling CTA."

Why it works: AI-generated ad copy can feel repetitive, and with this prompt you’ll get multiple angles to test.

6. Storytelling & Scriptwriting

Prompt template: "Write a short story about [character], who faces [conflict] in a world where [unusual scenario]. Keep the dialogue natural, build suspense, and include an unexpected twist."

Why it works: AI writes better stories when you provide conflict, setting, and tone upfront.

7. Resume & Cover Letters

Prompt template: "Write a professional yet engaging cover letter for a [job title] role at [company]. Highlight my experience in [specific skills] and connect it to the company's mission. Keep it under [word count] and avoid generic phrases."

Why it works: AI-generated cover letters can sound too fabricated. With this text prompt you keep them personal and tailored to your own experience.

8. Learning & Skill Improvement

Prompt template: "Explain [complex topic] using an analogy a 10-year-old would understand easily. Then, provide a technical explanation for an expert audience."

Why it works: This text prompt can make AI an effective teaching tool that can adapt on the level of understanding of the user.
 

9. Debugging & Code Optimization

Prompt template: "Analyze the following [programming language] code for errors and suggest optimizations for efficiency and readability. Code: [insert exact code]."

Why it works: AI can be used to debug and refactor code, but defining goals improves its recommendations.
 

10. Summarizing Long Documents or Videos

Prompt template: "Summarize the key takeaways from [document/video/transcript] in 5 bullet points. Make it clear, concise, and actionable."

Why it works: AI can over-summarize getting lost into details or do the opposite and miss important details. Asking for bullet points keeps clarity as its compass.

11. Conversational AI for Customer Service

Prompt: "Act as a customer support representative for [company]. Respond to a frustrated customer who had an issue with [problem], offering a professional, empathetic, and solution-focused response."

Why it works: AI-generated responses sound more human when given tone and situation details.

12. Productivity & Task Automation

Prompt template: "Create a structured daily schedule for a [job role], balancing [task priorities] with deep work, meetings, and break times."

Why it works: AI can optimize workflows when given constraints and clear objectives.

13. AI for Personal Growth & Habits

Prompt template: "Suggest a 30-day challenge to improve [habit, e.g., time management, fitness, mindfulness]. Each day should have a small, actionable step that builds toward lasting change."

Why it works: This text prompt can help you structure habit-building techniques with progressive steps tailored to your own needs.

14. AI-Powered Event Planning

Prompt template: "Plan a [type of event] for [audience], including venue suggestions, schedule, entertainment, and food recommendations. Keep it within a [budget] and include creative engagement ideas."

Why it works: It acts as an event planner when given clear details like theme, venue, and budget constraints.

15. AI for Audience Engagement & Social Media Strategy

Prompt template: "Generate five engaging LinkedIn post ideas for [industry], each designed to spark discussion. Use a mix of storytelling, data insights, and thought-provoking questions."

Why it works: AI works best with strategic guidance rather than vague requests.