I hosted a prompt engineering workshop at work today, and it was quite revealing.

What struck me most was how many of my colleagues, despite using AI tools regularly, didn’t fully grasp how Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT actually work (this video explains it pretty well). There was a lot of frustration about the AI “making up facts” or giving inconsistent answers.

This experience reminded me of my own journey with ChatGPT. I used to approach it with similar misconceptions, expecting perfect accuracy every time. But as I learned more about the nature of LLMs and started experimenting with different prompting techniques, I realized there’s a more effective way to interact with these systems.

One approach that I find very useful is iterative prompting.

It’s not a magic bullet, but I’ve found it can significantly improve the quality of ChatGPTs responses.

What’s iterative prompting? Simply put, it’s the process of refining your prompts through multiple rounds of interaction with an AI. Instead of settling for the first response, you evaluate it, tweak your prompt, and try again. It’s a bit like polishing a rough draft.

Here’s an example:

Iterative Prompting Example: Writing a Bedtime Story

Initial Prompt:

“Write a short bedtime story for children.”

Initial AI Response:

“Once upon a time, there was a little rabbit named Fluffy who lived in a cozy burrow. One day, Fluffy decided to explore the big forest. He hopped along and met many friendly animals. As the sun began to set, Fluffy realized it was time to go home. He found his way back to his burrow and snuggled up in his warm bed, happy about his big adventure. The end.

Refined Prompt:

“Write a bedtime story for a 5-year-old about overcoming fears. The main character should be a young hedgehog. Include a problem the hedgehog faces and how they solve it. The story should be about 150 words long.”

Refined AI Response:

“In a lush green forest lived a young hedgehog named Spike. Spike was afraid of the dark and always hurried home before sunset. One evening, while playing with his friends, Spike lost track of time. As the sky darkened, he found himself far from home.

Trembling, Spike curled into a ball, his quills sticking out. But then he remembered his mother’s words: ‘The night is just as beautiful as the day, if you give it a chance.’

Taking a deep breath, Spike uncurled and looked around. He saw twinkling fireflies dancing in the air and heard the gentle hooting of an owl. The moon cast a soft glow on the path home.

Step by step, Spike walked through the forest, marveling at the night’s wonders. When he reached home, he realized the dark wasn’t so scary after all. From that day on, Spike enjoyed evening strolls, no longer afraid of the night.”

Further Refined Prompt:

“Revise the bedtime story about Spike the hedgehog overcoming his fear of the dark. Add more sensory details to make the nighttime forest come alive. Include a moment of decision where Spike chooses to be brave. End the story with Spike feeling proud of himself and looking forward to future adventures.”

Further Refined AI Response:

“In a forest where oak leaves whispered secrets to the wind lived a young hedgehog named Spike. Spike loved playing in the golden sunlight but always scurried home before the first star appeared. The dark scared him.

One dusky evening, while chasing butterflies, Spike strayed far from home. As shadows lengthened, panic prickled through his quills. He curled into a tight, shivering ball.

But then, a cool breeze carried his mother’s words: ‘The night is full of wonders, if you’re brave enough to look.’

Spike faced a choice: stay curled up or explore the night. With a deep breath, he uncurled and opened his eyes wide.

Suddenly, the forest came alive! Fireflies twinkled like tiny, floating stars. An owl’s soft hoot echoed like a lullaby. The moon painted silver paths on the dewy grass.

Step by step, Spike tiptoed home, his nose filled with the sweet scent of night-blooming jasmine. When he finally reached his burrow, Spike felt a warm glow of pride. He had faced his fear and discovered a whole new world!

As he snuggled into bed, Spike smiled, excited for tomorrow’s nighttime adventure. The dark wasn’t scary anymore – it was the beginning of something magical.”

This example illustrates how iterative prompting can dramatically improve the quality of creative writing, even for something as specific as a children’s bedtime story.

1. We started with a very basic prompt, which resulted in a generic, simplistic story.
2. We then added more specific requirements about the main character, theme, and length, which led to a more focused and meaningful story.
3. Finally, we requested revisions to enhance sensory details, highlight the character’s growth, and improve the ending. This resulted in a rich, engaging story that fulfills its purpose as a bedtime tale.

Now, it’s your turn! Next time when you use ChatGPT, try this approach and let me know how it goes. It may not be perfect the first time you try, but, with practice, you’ll get better over time.

P.S. For those who want to dive deeper, I’m co-hosting a live online workshop “Master AI for Email: Learn to Develop Quality Campaigns with ChatGPT” on August 12 and 13 together with email marketing guru Jeanne Jennings. We’ll be exploring how to create and use your own ChatGPT assistants to develop campaign strategies. Do check it out!

P.P.S. Fun fact: I’m preparing for a motorcycle trip in the South of France, and as I was writing this article, it got me thinking about how iterative improvement applies to riding too – I struggle with hairpins quite a bit and it’s only through repeated practice and refinement that I’m getting better.

Each turn teaches me something for the next one, just like each iteration in prompting. Whether it’s crafting the perfect AI prompt or navigating a tricky mountain road, the key is to keep refining, keep learning, and enjoy the process of improvement. Can’t wait to start putting my skills to the test on those winding French roads!

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