Mastering AI Prompt Methods
A comprehensive guide to getting better results from ChatGPT and other AI assistants through strategic prompting techniques.

by JOE DICHIARA CPA

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Four Powerful Prompt Methods
Act As
Assign the AI a specific role or persona
Ask Questions
Use questions to trigger deeper reasoning
Break It Down
Request step-by-step explanations
Primer
Provide context before your main request
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The "Act As" Method
The Act As method (also called Persona Prompting) instructs ChatGPT to take on a specific role or persona before beginning your conversation.
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Why "Act As" Works
1
Focused Responses
It narrows the AI's "mindset," reducing vague or generic answers
2
Matched Style
It gives responses that match the tone, style, and expertise of the persona
3
Goal Alignment
It aligns better with your goals, whether writing, planning, learning, or roleplaying
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How to Use "Act As"
Start your prompt by saying: "Act as a [type of expert, role, or persona]…"
Then follow with your task, question, or scenario.
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Business & Marketing Examples
Copywriting
Act as a direct response copywriter with 10 years of experience. Write a sales page for a lead magnet that helps solopreneurs build email lists.
Social Media
Act as a social media strategist for personal brands. What kind of content pillars should a therapist use on Instagram?
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Coaching & Course Building Examples
Course Design
Act as an online course design expert. Help me outline a beginner-level course for real estate agents using GoHighLevel.
Business Coaching
Act as a small business coach. What advice would you give a solopreneur struggling to find a profitable niche?
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Writing & Personal Development Examples
Writing
Act as a bestselling non-fiction author. Help me brainstorm chapter titles for my book on turning side hustles into full-time businesses.
Act as a seasoned newsletter editor. Rewrite this LinkedIn post so it reads like a newsletter intro and builds curiosity.
Personal Development
Act as a mindset coach. How can I overcome procrastination when launching my business?
Act as a productivity expert. Create a daily time-blocking schedule for someone who works from home and runs a service-based business.
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Bonus Tip: Chain Prompts for Depth
Once the persona is set, you can go deeper with follow-up questions:
Act as a CPA who specializes in helping real estate investors.
Now explain how short-term rentals are taxed differently than long-term rentals.
Follow-up: What are the biggest write-offs they miss?
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The "Ask Questions" Method
The Ask Questions method is a prompt strategy where instead of just giving ChatGPT a task or command, you ask it questions—sometimes multiple or layered questions—to trigger deeper reasoning, clarity, or creativity.
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Why "Ask Questions" Works
1
Critical Thinking
It encourages critical thinking and multi-step reasoning
2
Personalization
It gets clearer, more personalized responses—especially useful for strategy, planning, and troubleshooting
3
Socratic Method
It mirrors the Socratic method, where asking the right questions leads to deeper insights
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How to Use "Ask Questions"
Direct Question
Ask ChatGPT a single direct question (basic use)
Series of Questions
Ask a series of questions to guide the AI's thinking
Reverse Questions
Ask ChatGPT to ask YOU questions first—so it gathers context before responding
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Strategy & Planning Examples
Business Launch
What are 3 questions I should ask myself before launching a new service-based business?
Follow-up: Can you help me answer them?
Client Qualification
What questions should I ask a potential client to determine if they're a good fit for my coaching program?
Follow-up: Draft a script using those questions.
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Personal Guidance & Problem Solving
Personal Guidance
What questions would a mindset coach ask me if I said I was stuck in analysis paralysis?
What questions should I ask myself every Sunday to plan my week with clarity and intention?
Problem Solving
If my landing page isn't converting, what diagnostic questions should I ask to find the bottleneck?
Help me troubleshoot my sales funnel. Ask me 5 questions that would help you identify what's not working.
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Course Creation & Reversing the Flow
Course Creation
What 5 questions could I use to guide students in identifying their target audience?
What questions should I ask ChatGPT to help me outline a course on tax planning for real estate investors?
Reversing the Flow
Before you give me advice, ask me 3 questions to better understand my goals and current situation.
I want to create a lead magnet. Ask me any questions you need before giving suggestions.
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Combining "Ask Questions" With Other Methods
Act as a business coach for solopreneurs. Ask me 3 questions to uncover what's keeping me from hitting my income goals.
This combines the "Act As" method with the "Ask Questions" method for even more powerful results.
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The "Break It Down" Method
The Break It Down method is a prompt technique where you ask ChatGPT to explain something in smaller, simpler steps or parts, instead of giving you everything all at once.
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Why "Break It Down" Works
1
Simplifies Complexity
It makes complex topics easier to understand and act on
2
Logical Organization
It forces ChatGPT to organize information logically
3
Clear Pathways
It gives you a step-by-step path you can follow or refine
4
Prevents Overwhelm
It helps avoid overwhelm and vague or fluffy advice
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How to Use "Break It Down"
Step-by-Step
"Break this down step-by-step…"
Staged Approach
"Explain this to me in 3 stages…"
Progressive Depth
"Can you give me a simple version first, then go deeper?"
Key Components
"List the key parts or phases before we go into detail."
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Learning & Building Systems Examples
Learning Something New
Break down how content marketing works for a personal brand in 5 steps.
Explain how email automation works for beginners. Start with the big picture, then give me one step at a time.
Building Systems or Plans
Break down how I should build a client onboarding system for my coaching business.
I want to create a lead magnet funnel. Walk me through the 3 core pieces first—then we'll go deeper into each.
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Writing & Business Strategy Examples
Writing & Content
I want to write a 5-part email series about tax tips for small business owners. Break down what each email should focus on.
Help me outline a short course on "Bookkeeping for Beginners." Break it down into modules first.
Business Strategy & Offers
I want to build a service package for real estate agents. Can you break down the process of designing an offer step-by-step?
I want to increase my pricing. Break down what mindset shifts and business systems I need to address.
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Follow-Up Prompts for Deeper Dives
1
Initial Breakdown
Break down how to create a high-converting landing page.
2
Deeper Dive
Follow-up: Go deeper into step 2. How do I write an irresistible headline?
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Combining "Break It Down" With "Act As"
Launch Strategy
Act as a launch strategist. Break down a 30-day launch plan for my new membership site.
Mindset Coaching
Act as a mindset coach. Break down the beliefs I need to shift to hit $10k/month consistently.
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The "Primer Method"
The Primer Method is a prompt technique where you feed ChatGPT background information or context before giving it your main command or question.
Think of it like setting the stage before the performance.
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Why the "Primer Method" Works
1
Reduces Guesswork
It reduces guesswork and vague replies by giving the AI a solid foundation
2
Context-Aware
It leads to hyper-relevant, context-aware answers tailored to your situation
3
Project Continuity
It's great for multi-step tasks, branding consistency, or long-term projects
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How to Use the "Primer Method"
Start with your primer (the background)
"You are [role/persona]. Here is the background: [insert context]."
Then follow with your instruction
"Based on that, [task/question]."
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Business & Branding Examples
You are a brand strategist.
Here's the background: My client is a productivity coach targeting ADHD entrepreneurs. Their tone is warm, direct, and slightly humorous.
Based on this, write 3 tagline options for their new offer: "Focus & Flow Academy."
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Writing & Course Design Examples
Email Copywriting
You are a professional email copywriter.
Background: I help solo service providers automate client onboarding. I'm creating a free 3-email welcome series.
Based on this, write the first email that welcomes them and sets expectations.
Course Design
You are a course design expert.
Primer: I'm building a course called "WaveApps for Beginners." It's for non-tech-savvy business owners who want to manage bookkeeping themselves.
Now, create a simple 4-module outline with titles and learning goals.
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Advanced: Feed Multiple Primers
You can build up context gradually, like training ChatGPT across a session:
  1. Primer 1: Brand voice
  1. Primer 2: Target audience
  1. Primer 3: Offer structure
  1. Then: "Write a social media script that introduces the offer in our brand voice."
Great for projects like lead magnets, newsletters, sales funnels, launches, and AI-powered assistants.
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Combining All Methods for Maximum Impact
Act As
Set the role: "Act as a launch strategist"
Primer
Provide context: "I'm launching a membership site for coaches"
Break It Down
Request structure: "Break down a 30-day launch plan"
Ask Questions
Deepen the response: "What questions should I ask myself at each stage?"
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