ChatGPT Prompts Cheat Sheet:
Best Prompts for Smarter AI Responses

You know that feeling when you’re staring at ChatGPT, fingers hovering over the keyboard, but you’re not quite sure how to phrase your request to get the best response? You’re not alone.

Many ChatGPT users type in whatever comes to mind and hope for the best.

Does this sound like you?

Here’s an important thing to remember: Good prompts get good results. Great prompts unblock the powerful tool’s full potential.

This ChatGPT cheat sheet gives you the exact requests and techniques to get sharper, more useful, and relevant responses every single time.

Importance of effective AI prompt engineering

AI can do incredible things. It’s why ChatGPT ranks #8 in the world’s most visited websites. And it only took 5 days to reach 1 million users after its launch in November 2022.

People use it to summarize complex topics, generate ideas, and even write complete drafts. But when your AI-generated content isn’t what you expected, it’s usually because of how you framed your request.

AI follows instructions exactly as given—the clearer and more structured the prompt, the better the output. 

For example, say you ask ChatGPT to write a blog post about productivity. You might get a surface-level response filled with standard advice you’ve probably seen a hundred times.

Let’s say you ask it to write a blog post on how time-blocking helps remote workers avoid burnout. You also ask it to provide specific examples and write in a conversational tone. The result is a more relevant response.

Good prompt engineering comes down to a few key things:

• Specificity: The more precise your request, the better the response.

• Context: AI doesn’t fill in gaps on its own. Provide background information, audience details, or any necessary framing. This ensures the response aligns with expectations.

• Structure: The way you phrase a single prompt influences the quality of the output. 

• Intent: Defining the purpose of the response helps AI generate the right type of content.

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Common mistakes in ChatGPT prompt crafting

Most AI-generated responses miss the mark because of how users write the prompt. Or their custom GPTs aren’t specific enough. If the answer you’re getting feels generic, inaccurate, or off-topic, it’s likely due to the instructions you gave.

Mastering the art of prompting is knowing what to avoid so you don’t waste time tweaking bad outputs. Before diving into specific prompts and our handy dandy ChatGPT cheat sheet, let’s check out some common pitfalls of prompt engineering.

Overly complex AI instructions

More detail doesn’t always mean better results. If your prompt has excessive instructions, conflicting requests, or unnecessary restraints, the AI might struggle to process what’s actually important.

These complex prompts can lead to cluttered, off-balance, or overly rigid responses.

Good prompts are specific without being overwhelming. Don’t cram in every possible requirement at once. Focus on what’s most important. If you need multiple elements, break the request into separate steps.

Ask for the content first. Then, refine it with follow-ups instead of looking for the perfect answer on the first try. 

Asking leading questions

A common mistake is crafting a prompt that assumes or pushes toward a specific answer. AI follows patterns based on how you frame a question. If a request is biased or one-sided, the response will reflect that.

Let’s look at an example. Maybe you ask, “Why is remote work always more productive than office work?” This question forces the AI to defend one side instead of giving a fair, balanced answer.

For a more accurate, objective answer, you could ask something like, “How does remote work impact productivity, both positively and negatively?”

Providing the wrong context

AI doesn’t read between the lines. If a response feels broad or misses key details, it’s likely because the original prompt didn’t set things up correctly. Context tells AI what matters most. This includes who the audience is, what the purpose is, and what type of output you actually need. 

For example, imagine that you ask ChatGPT for a “summary of this article” with no other details.

The AI could give you anything from a one-sentence recap to a full-page breakdown.

Want a summary in three bullet points for executives?

A paragraph aimed at beginners?

Say so upfront. The more relevant context it has, the more likely it is to generate an answer that fits your needs.

Examples of effective AI prompts

A well-crafted question can make all the difference. Are you a marketer? What about a coder? Or maybe you’re a designer or part of a customer service team.

No matter your industry, creating effective prompts can help you get the most out of ChatGPT. Here’s how to frame your requests for specific tasks to get more relevant responses.

Prompts for marketers

ChatGPT can be a significant time-saver for marketers. They can use it to generate content ideas, write engaging social media posts, and so much more.

If you want to craft compelling marketing copy or brainstorm campaign ideas, don’t just ask for a list of general suggestions.

Be specific about your goals, the tone you want to strike, and who you’re trying to reach.

Here are some examples of prompts for different situations:

• Landing page copy: “Create landing page copy for a product that helps [target audience] manage [specific task]. The tone should be [professional/friendly/conversational/formal/informal/engaging]. Highlight the key features and other key aspects [insert those features here].”

• Ad copy for Facebook campaign: Write Facebook ad copy for a [product] targeting [target audience]. Emphasize how [benefit] can fit into their [specific routine]. Use a [professional/friendly/conversational/formal/informal/engaging] tone and [adjective] approach.”

• Social media post for product launch: Write a [social media platform] post announcing the launch of our [product]. Focus on [key feature] and the benefits of [specific benefit]. Keep the post [engaging/concise/short].”

• Content strategy for blog posts: “Create a content strategy for a blog focused on [topic/industry]. The strategy should include suggested post topics, target audience, and posting frequency. Make sure the strategy aligns with [specific goals] and provide actionable steps for implementation.”

• Email marketing campaign: “Write a 5-email sequence to nurture leads for a [product] targeting [specific audience]. The tone should be [professional/friendly/conversational/formal/informal/engaging]. Focus on the pain points of [pain point] and how [product] makes it easier to [solution].”

• Referral program description: “Write landing page copy for a referral program promoting our [product]. Explain the benefits for both the [referrer/receiver]. Keep the tone [conversational/friendly].”

Prompts for coding

Using AI for coding? Your instructions need to be precise. The more context you give about the problem you’re solving, the more likely you are to get a relevant response.

Avoid asking for generic code. Instead, focus on the functionality, programming language, or algorithm you need help with.

Here are some examples of effective prompts:

• Debugging help: “I’m getting a [error message] in my [programming language] code. I’m trying to [task], but I’m not sure why it’s failing. Here’s the code: [insert code]. Can you help me identify the issue?”

• Function creation: Write a [programming language] function that [description of task]. The function should [include specific conditions or requirements].”

• Optimize existing code: “Optimize this [programming language] code that [description of task]. The current implementation is too [slow/inefficient] for [reason].

• API request handling: “Write a [programming language] function that sends an API request to fetch [specific data] for a [specific task], handles the response, and [processes the data].”

• Unit tests creation: “Write unit tests for a [programming language] function that [task]. Include tests for both valid and invalid outputs to ensure the function handles edge cases.”

Prompts for sales

Sales teams can use AI tools to create pitch decks, analyze customer data, or craft email templates. The key here is to ask for solutions that match the buyer’s journey or state in the funnel.

This means framing your request based on the target audience and their specific pain points.

Some examples:

• Sales email to new lead: “Write a personalized sales email for a potential client who [specific business]. Mention how our [product] can [solve specific pain point] and [other benefits]. Keep the tone [professional/friendly].”

• Sales pitch for a SaaS product: “Write a sales pitch for a SaaS product that helps companies [specific business function]. The target audience is [job title/role] in [business type]. Emphasize the key benefits, such as [feature 1], [feature 2], and [feature 3].”

• Lead qualification questions: “Generate a list of 5 qualifying questions to ask a potential lead for a [specific product]. The questions should focus on their [current tools/challenges/interests] and the [specific solution] they need.”

• Follow-up email after a meeting: “Write a follow-up email to a potential customer after a meeting for [specific product]. Mention the key points discussed, answer any remaining questions, and offer [next steps].”

• Objection-handling response: “Write a response to a potential customer who has expressed concern about [specific objection]. Address the concern by emphasizing [specific benefits] and offer [solution/alternative].”

Prompts for designers

Designers can leverage AI to generate ideas, explore color schemes, or even create initial drafts for projects. However, a broad prompt like “Design [project] for me” won’t cut it.

Be specific about the type of design, mood, and audience you’re targeting. Look at some of these examples for some inspiration. 

• Logo design concept: “Design a [style] logo for a [business type] with an emphasis on [vibe]. Use [primary color] and [secondary color] as the main color scheme. Create something [adjective] yet {adjective].”

• Webpage layout: “Design a [style] homepage layout for a [specific business type]. Include sections for [specific elements]. The overall style should be [adjective] and easy to navigate.”

• Social media post graphic: “Design a [social media platform] post to promote our [product/event]. Use [color scheme] and include text that says [key message]. Make sure the design is [adjective] and aligns with our brand identity.”

• UI/UX feedback: Review this UI design for a [specific app]. Provide feedback on [specific issue], such as ease of navigation, clarity of [specific feature], and overall user flow.”

Prompts for research

Conducting research is yet another way to use ChatGPT. It can sift through data, find trends, and summarize findings. To get quality insights, frame your request with clarity on the scope of your research.

Looking for trends in a specific industry? Or do you need a deep dive into a specific topic? Context matters.

Consider these example prompts:

• Literary review summary: “Summarize key research findings from the last [time period] on [specific topic]. Focus on [specific aspects], such as [sub-topic 1], [sub-topic 2], and [sub-topic 3].” 

• Data analysis insights: “Analyze the data for the last [time period]. Identify any trends or patterns and highlight which [product category/segment] performed best. Suggest potential reasons for [declines/improvements].”

• Market research summary: “Provide a summary of recent market research on consumer behavior in [industry]. Focus on [specific aspects], such as [consumer preferences], [buying habits], and [pricing sensitivity].”

• Competitive analysis: “Conduct a competitive analysis for a new product type] entering the market. Identify the main competitors, pricing strategies, and key differentiators in the market.”

• Industry trends report: “Generate an industry trends report for [industry] covering key developments in the last [time period]. Include emerging technologies, market shifts, consumer behavior changes, and regulatory updates.”

• Survey question generation: “Generate a list of [number] survey questions for [specific target audience] to assess satisfaction with [specific product/service]. The questions should focus on [specific aspects] and include both qualitative and quantitative elements.”

Prompts for customer service

ChatGPT can help handle routine customer inquiries, craft responses, and even troubleshoot common problems.

But to get helpful replies, you’ll need to frame your requisitions with a clear understanding of the customer’s issue. Be specific about the situation and the tone you want the AI to use.

These examples can help give you an idea of how to frame your prompts:

• Respond to a product complaint: “Write a customer service email responding to a customer who is unhappy with [specific product]. Apologize for the inconvenience, offer a [refund/exchange], and reassure them about the quality of our products.”

• Troubleshooting guide for common issues: “Write a step-by-step troubleshooting guide for a customer having trouble with [specific product]. Include [common fixes/solutions] and easy-to-follow instructions.”

• Customer feedback request: “Write a polite email requesting feedback from a customer who recently used our [specific service]. Encourage them to share their experience and provide suggestions for improvement.”

• Response to a late delivery complaint: “Write an email informing a customer of a delay in their order. Apologize for the inconvenience, provide the new estimated delivery date, and offer a [discount/free shipping] on their next purchase.”

• Upsell opportunity email: “Write an email to a customer who recently purchased [basic product]. Offer them an upgrade to [premium version]. Highlight the additional features and benefits of the [premium version]. 

Stay on top of the latest AI trends

That’s a wrap for our ChatGPT cheat sheet! We hope you’re feeling more equipped to harness the power of AI in your everyday work.

Optimizing your workflow? Tackling a coding challenge? Transforming your marketing strategies? Whatever the case, the tools and tips we share can help you master ChatGPT. 

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