Feeling lost staring at that blinking cursor in Midjourney or ChatGPT? You're not alone! This post will break down what a prompt is and show you how to write effective ones that get you the results you want. This is especially useful for digital product creators and PLR sellers who want to use AI to boost their businesses. It's important to understand both what you want to achieve and what the prompt needs to do. Trust me, it makes all the difference.
What Exactly Is a Prompt?
Simply put, a prompt is a set of instructions you give an AI tool. Think of it like ordering food at a restaurant. The more specific you are about what you want, the more likely you are to get exactly what you're craving (unless you're too annoying, then who knows!). This works across different platforms. You can use it in Midjourney for visuals, ChatGPT for text, Claude, Ideogram, and Playground. Each uses prompts in slightly different ways.
Why Prompts Matter
Well-written prompts lead to better, more predictable outputs. If you want consistent and quality results, you need to learn how to write effective prompts.
Poor Prompts = Poor Results
Vague instructions lead to unpredictable results. If you're not specific, you can't expect the AI to magically know what you want.
Imagine you ask a 10-year-old to “draw cute animals.” You'll probably get whatever they think is cute, instead of what you were hoping for. Maybe you wanted forest animals, and they draw you underwater creatures. That's why clarity is key.
Aligning Your Goal with the Prompt's Goal
Separate the overall product you want to create from the individual prompts needed to create it.
Breaking Down Your Project
Let's say you want to create and sell a Christian journal.
Don't just type: “Create a Christian journal prompt for me.”
Instead, break it down into smaller tasks:
- Cover design
- Interior design
- Description
- Sizing
Each of these tasks needs its own specific prompt. Each task is going to need its own prompt. You're essentially telling someone else how to make each piece.
Crafting Effective Prompts: Visuals
AI is like an assistant; it needs clear direction. It's not a mind reader!
The Structure of a Visual Prompt
Here's a structure that works well for visual prompts:
- Subject: What is the main focus? (cat, robot, car, etc.)
- Style: Watercolor, hand-drawn, photorealistic, etc.
- Going with a photorealistic style can take the pressure off needing to take great photos yourself.
- Color Palette: Branding colors, specific hex codes, etc.
- Your color palette is important for branding purposes.
- Mood: Upbeat, wistful, dark, etc.
- Background: Plain, clip art, watercolor, outdoor, etc.
- Aspect Ratio: For wall art, stickers, marketing images, blog posts, banners, etc.
Example Prompt Breakdown
Let's put it all together. Here's an example prompt:
Boho floral bouquet, watercolor style, muted earth tones, white background, aspect ratio 4:5
Adding Details and Refining Images
Add details like lighting, keywords, and framing to your prompts. You can also remove elements like text or backgrounds. Use tools like Canva or Photoshop for background removal if you don't want to specify it in the prompt.
Prompting for PLR Creators & Digital Products
Prompts can help you generate all sorts of things, including:
- Clip art packs
- Coloring pages
- Quote art
- Stickers
Start with the end in mind. Prompts should lead to usable and sellable products.
Consistency and quality matter if you're making PLR or digital products. A great prompt leads to a more efficient and consistent business. If you want to get into making money from AI art, check out this AI art passive income guide.
The Human Element
Even when using AI, your voice and style should be involved. Don't rely on AI to do everything, but don't be afraid to use it to make your business more efficient.
Using AI to Improve Your Prompts
Struggling with visual language? Use ChatGPT to help! Ask it: “This is what I'm working on, can you help me come up with some prompts?” Remember, AI is meant to be an assistant, not a replacement for your own creativity. You can use these prompts for things like passive income from AI-generated wall art by learning How to Market AI Wall Art Effectively.
Free Resource: Prompts with Purpose Guide
I have a free printable prompt planner called Prompts with Purpose. Grab it here: https://thatplrshop.com/PPG. It walks you through the exact process I use before writing any prompt.
Join the Community
Join my free AI Art Club Facebook group! Find it here: https://thatplrshop.com/ppfb. We share tutorials, inspiration, and prompts within the group.
If you're a PLR creator or small business owner, check out the AI Art Club membership. Find out more about it here: https://thatplrshop.com/artclub. There are weekly trainings and resources provided. There's also an upcoming path on becoming a terrific AI artist. To get you started I even have an AI Art Bundle Freebie Offer.
Writing effective prompts is a skill that can significantly improve your AI art and content creation. Remember to be specific, break down your projects, and use AI as a tool to enhance, not replace, your own creativity. By mastering the art of the prompt, you can unlock the full potential of AI and take your digital products to the next level.
ChatGPT Prompts: Beginner FAQs
What’s a prompt in ChatGPT?
A prompt is any text you type to start a conversation or ask ChatGPT for help. It could be a question, a task, or a specific instruction. Whatever you write shapes how ChatGPT responds.
How does a prompt work?
When you give ChatGPT a prompt, it uses your words and context to generate its reply. The clearer your input, the better and more relevant the answer you’ll get.
Can I give more than just a question as a prompt?
Yes, you can include instructions, details, or even examples. The more specific your prompt, the more tailored and useful the response becomes.
Do I need to use special wording?
No special format is required. Write naturally, as you would to another person. Adding context, roles, or examples can help, but plain language works fine.
What happens if my prompt is vague?
If your prompt is unclear or too short, ChatGPT may give a generic or off-target reply. Giving enough detail helps you get a better response.
Can I ask ChatGPT to play a role?
Yes, you can. For example, you can start with, “Act as a travel agent,” or “Pretend you’re a coding tutor.” This helps shape both the style and the content of the answer.
Are there limits to what I should put in a prompt?
You should avoid sharing personal information and follow the platform’s rules. Besides that, you can ask about almost any topic or task.
How long should my prompt be?
There’s no strict limit, but prompts that are clear and focused usually work best. Long, rambling prompts can confuse the model.
Can I refine my prompt if ChatGPT misses the point?
Absolutely. You can rephrase, add more detail, or clarify your request. This often leads to much better answers.
Is there a way to get more consistent results?
Yes. If you use similar wording and structure for repeated tasks, you’ll notice more predictable responses. Setting roles or giving examples within your prompt also helps keep things on track.
Do prompts work the same in all versions of ChatGPT?
The basic idea is the same, but newer versions like GPT-4 often understand more complex or subtle prompts better than older versions.
What is “prompt engineering”?
Prompt engineering means designing your prompts thoughtfully—using context, roles, and examples to fine-tune ChatGPT’s responses to get the results you want.
Do different tasks need different prompts?
Yes. For writing help, you might need to give a topic and style. For coding, include a clear problem and language. The approach depends on what you’re asking for.
Can I save or reuse prompts?
You can copy prompts you like and use them again. Some platforms also let you save prompt templates for regular tasks or projects.
Are there tools or templates for better prompts?
Yes. Many online guides offer sample prompts and templates. Using these can save time and help you get more out of ChatGPT.
Want to try making your own prompt? Start with something clear and specific you’d like help with, and see how ChatGPT responds!
Any and all art that you see above can be found in the May Art Drop from the Ai Art Club! We'd love to see you in there.
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