My Top 5 Prompting Tricks (That Actually Work)

Help for eliminating robotic AI responses — and to start sounding like you.

Why This Matters

You’ve heard me say it: garbage in, garbage out. But honestly — sometimes the output is dull even when your input seems solid. Why is that?

Because writing for AI is not the same as writing for people.

Prompting isn’t about mashing buttons. It’s about directing tone, shaping voice, and nudging nuance into focus. That’s not cheating — it’s creative control.

The problem is, many who use AI — say ChatGPT — don’t put the effort into crafting their prompts. Most don’t even bother!

This article goes beyond the basics. Whether you’re a writer, marketer, coach, or curious creative, these tips will help you:

• Sound more like you
• Evoke real emotion
• Give your prompts structure and soul
• Make AI your collaborator, not just a tool

Let’s get to it…

1. Write from a Point of View (POV)

Why it works: Most AI responses default to a neutral, generic tone. Giving it a perspective — even a fictional one — makes it feel more human.

Before Prompt:
Write a short story about a person moving to a new city.

Before Output:
John packed up his car and drove to a new city with hopes of starting fresh. The streets were unfamiliar, but he was optimistic. He got a job, made some friends, and slowly began to adjust to his new life.

After Prompt:
Write a short story about a person moving to a new city from the POV of a jaded musician who’s convinced he peaked ten years ago.

After Output:
I tossed my busted amp in the trunk next to my last ounce of hope and pulled onto the freeway. New city, same gigless nights. The skyline looked like a promise — sharp and shining — but I’ve seen promises before. They crack like guitar strings under the wrong hands. I wasn’t chasing a dream. I was outrunning a ghost with a six-string and a half-smile.

2. Specify Emotional Beats or Shifts

Why it works: AI tends to flatten emotional arcs (the robotic output we’ve talked about). Inputting key emotional shifts helps it feel much more like a human expression.

Before Prompt:
Write a 2-paragraph letter to a friend.

Before Output:
Hey, hope you’re doing well. I just wanted to catch up and share a few things from my week. It’s been a bit hectic, but things are fine overall. Let’s find time to talk soon!

After Prompt:
Write a 2-paragraph letter that starts confident, dips into vulnerability, and ends with quiet hope.

After Output:
Hey, I’ve been crushing it at work and knocking out every task they throw my way — finally feels like I’m finding my rhythm. But underneath it all, I’ve been struggling more than I’d like to admit. The nights are quiet, and the silence gets loud. Still, I believe things are turning, and I’d love to catch up. Talking to you always brings light.

3. Use “Character Notes” for Style Control

Why it works: Noting abstract descriptors, i.e., “be funny,” don’t always land with AI. Assign an attitude or persona instead.

Before Prompt:
Write an article about TikTok trends.

Before Output:
TikTok trends evolve rapidly, ranging from dances to cooking hacks. Users enjoy participating in viral challenges and using trending audio clips.

After Prompt:
You are a sarcastic Gen X copywriter who resents TikTok but has to write about it anyway.

After Output:
Welcome to the glittering wasteland known as TikTok, where teens lip-sync for likes and I, a fossil from the cassette tape era, must pretend to care. Somewhere between dance challenges and DIY lattes, I lost my will to live — but hey, let’s dive into what’s trending, shall we?

4. Set Constraints for Creativity

Why it works: Funny, but limiting choices makes the AI work harder — and sometimes smarter.

Before Prompt:
Write a poem about love.

Before Output:
Love is gentle, love is kind,
A precious feeling, hard to find.
It lifts us high and holds us tight,
A beacon burning through the night.

After Prompt:
Write a poem about love using only one-syllable words.

After Output:
Your hand in mine,
Our steps in line.
We share one bed,
Our thoughts unsaid.
A touch, a grin,
Our love is skin.

5. Train Your Voice with Reference Passages

Why it works: This is where a little work can go a long way! AI won’t mimic your style until you show it.

Before Prompt:
Write a blog post about why perfectionism kills creativity.

Before Output:
Perfectionism often prevents people from taking creative risks. It causes delays and stress, ultimately limiting growth and innovation.

After Prompt:

Write a blog post in my voice about why perfectionism kills creativity.
"""
Sample:
I don’t trust anyone who’s never botched a project. Scars mean you tried. Silence means you quit.
"""

After Output:
If your Google Docs folder has 17 drafts of the same blog post, you’re not perfect — you’re paralyzed. You’re waiting for flawless and skipping right past finished. And I get it. I’ve been there. But creativity isn’t clean. It’s messy, loud, and shows up unshowered. Invite it in anyway.

Final Thought

If your output sounds soulless (a common complaint of AI) — the problem probably isn’t the model. It’s the prompt.

Prompting isn’t a shortcut. It’s a fine-tuned craft.

You bring the spark of an idea. You bring the voice. The AI? That’s your amplifier.

Write like you mean it. And the model will answer in kind.