Original: "Write me a marketing email."
Problem: No context about product, audience, goal, or tone. AI will produce generic content.
Preflight Checklist
Quick quality gate before you hit enter. Run through this checklist to catch common issues and improve your prompts.
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How to Use This Tool
Before sending your next prompt, scan through this checklist. You don't need to check every box—just confirm that you've addressed the items relevant to your task. Even checking a few items can significantly improve your results.
Prompt Preflight Check
0/10 Complete
Check all items that apply to your prompt. The more boxes you check, the better your prompt!
See the Difference
Watch how applying checklist items transforms prompts from vague to effective.
Before: Missing Context
Checklist gaps: Context (0/2), Format (0/2), Style (0/2)
After: Complete Prompt
Improved: "Write a marketing email announcing our new project management app to small business owners. Emphasize time savings. Keep it under 200 words, professional but friendly tone. Include a clear call-to-action."
Result: AI can now produce targeted, useful content on the first try.
Checklist score: Context (2/2), Request (2/2), Format (2/2), Style (2/2)
Quick Reference
Keep these principles in mind when crafting prompts.
Be Specific
Instead of "make it better," say "make it more concise" or "add more technical detail."
Give Context
Explain who you are, what you're working on, and why you need this output.
Show Examples
If format matters, show the AI what good output looks like with a sample.
One Task at a Time
Complex requests often get better results when broken into separate steps.
Specify Length
Tell AI how long the output should be: "in 3 sentences," "under 200 words," etc.
Know Your Audience
Mention who will read the output so AI can adjust complexity and tone.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Vague Adjectives
Words like "good," "nice," "better," or "improved" mean different things to different people. Replace them with specific criteria: "more formal," "shorter," "with examples."
Assuming AI Knows Your Context
AI doesn't know your project history, your company, or your preferences. Each conversation starts fresh. Provide relevant background every time.
Packing Multiple Tasks
Asking AI to "research, summarize, and create a presentation" often yields poor results. Break complex requests into sequential prompts for better quality.
Pro Tip: The 5-Second Review
Before hitting send, quickly scan your prompt: Is the main ask clear? Would someone unfamiliar with your situation understand what you need? If not, add context.