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In this article, I’ll break down the science and strategy of prompting using six critical techniques:
ELI5
Jargonize
Humanize
Self-Critique
Self-Edit
Prompt Formatting (Roles, Inputs, Context, Execution)
1. ELI5: “Explain Like I’m 5”
Want to test if your idea is clear? Try explaining it to a 5-year-old.
Why it works:
Forces you to strip away complexity.
Helps validate clarity and core logic.
Perfect for simplifying product benefits or pitch decks.
Prompt Example:
“Explain the benefits of AI automation in property management like I’m 5.”
AI Response:
“Imagine you have 100 toy boxes to clean every day. AI is like a robot helper who knows which ones are messy and cleans them fast so you can go play.”
🔥 Pro Tip: Use ELI5 to test your messaging before creating ads, landing pages, or investor decks.
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2. Jargonize: Speak Expert-to-Expert
Now flip the script.
Why it works:
Builds credibility with technical or niche audiences.
Shows depth of expertise and mastery.
Useful for whitepapers, investor decks, or B2B outreach.
Prompt Example:
“Explain AI-enabled predictive maintenance in PropTech using technical terminology.”
AI Response:
“Predictive maintenance leverages machine learning algorithms to anticipate system failures by analyzing IoT sensor data, reducing downtime and improving operational efficiency in real estate asset management.”
🔥 Pro Tip: Use Jargonize after ELI5 to create a 2-tier content strategy: beginner and expert versions of the same idea.
3. Humanize: Add Emotion, Empathy, and Story
People buy with emotion, then justify with logic. AI doesn’t feel—but it can help you write content that connects.
Why it works:
Enhances relatability and resonance.
Boosts engagement and shareability.
Perfect for personal brand posts, speeches, or emails.
Prompt Example:
“Turn this sales pitch into an emotional story about why this product matters.”
Before:
“Our course teaches business automation strategies using AI.”
After (Humanized):
“When I left the military, I had no roadmap. AI became the system that helped me scale my business without burnout. This course is the exact framework I wish I had then.”
🔥 Pro Tip: Feed AI your own stories to humanize product copy with authenticity.
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4. Self-Critique: Make the AI Audit Its Own Work
Good prompting is like having a built-in editor on call.
Why it works:
Helps improve structure, tone, and logic.
Encourages refinement and iteration.
Ideal for writing scripts, speeches, and long-form content.
Prompt Example:
“Critique your previous output like a Harvard writing professor.”
AI Response (Self-Critique):
“The message is clear, but the opening lacks emotional impact. Consider beginning with a personal anecdote to hook the reader and improve storytelling.”
🔥 Pro Tip: Prompt AI to act as different types of reviewers (copywriter, editor, investor, customer) for 360° feedback.
5. Self-Edit: Improve, Enhance, and Elevate
Most people stop after the first response. That’s like publishing a rough draft.
Why it works:
Transforms basic content into high-performing material.
Refines for tone, clarity, or conversion.
Great for tightening email sequences, sales pages, and scripts.
Prompt Example:
“Rewrite this paragraph to be more persuasive, emotional, and concise.”
Before:
“This course contains a lot of valuable information for beginners.”
After:
“This course gives you the exact tools I used to go from overwhelmed to automated—in just 30 days.”
🔥 Pro Tip: Run self-edit loops: 1st draft → Self-Critique → Self-Edit → Refine → Final.
6. Prompt Formatting: Roles, Inputs, Context, Execution
Here’s the game-changer: Prompt Structure = Output Quality.
Break your prompts into 4 sections for pro-level results:
🔹 Role
Assign a persona to the AI.
“Act as a SaaS email copywriter…”
“You are an award-winning journalist…”
“Act as a VC reviewing a pitch…”
🔹 Input
Give the raw material or context.
“Here’s the rough pitch script: [paste script]”
“Below is the product description: [paste]”
🔹 Context
Describe your audience, goal, and tone.
“The audience is tech startup founders. Tone should be bold and aspirational.”
🔹 Execution
Tell it what to produce.
“Rewrite the copy with urgency and emotional storytelling.”
“Format it as a 3-step CTA email.”
⚡️ Final Word: Prompting Is the New Productivity Skill
In a world powered by AI, your value isn’t in having the tools—it’s in knowing how to wield them.
Prompting isn’t just a tech skill. It’s a leadership skill.
It’s how you communicate vision. Extract clarity. Inspire action.
So next time you open ChatGPT, don’t just ask a question.
Command clarity. Demand excellence. Prompt like a pro.
Take Action Now
Want the exact prompt templates I use to build viral content, sales pages, and digital products?
Drop “PROMPT PACK” in the comments or DM—and I’ll send it your way.
Let’s turn AI into ROI.
— John
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Building success together,
John Thomas
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