How to prompt AI like a pro

In today’s fast-changing digital landscape, AI assistants like ChatGPT are becoming invaluable tools for CEOs, executives and professionals across industries. Whether it’s drafting a report, generating marketing copy or brainstorming strategy, the results you get depend largely on how you ask.

In other words: The quality of your prompt determines the quality of the output.

A recent “ChatGPT Prompting Cheat Sheet” has been circulating online, breaking down 21 practical rules that can transform the way you interact with AI. Below, we explore these steps, adapted with a business lens, to help Maltese leaders and professionals unlock ChatGPT’s full potential.

1. Tone

Set the mood. Do you want the output formal, casual, persuasive or creative? For example, a board report may need a formal tone, while a social media caption benefits from a more casual one.

2. Format

Decide the structure. Should it be an essay, a list, a Q&A or a bulleted summary? Clear formatting makes the response easier to use directly.

3. Act as

Assign ChatGPT a role. Ask it to “act as a consultant,” “act as a recruiter,” or “act as a financial analyst.” This sharpens its perspective.

4. Objective

Define your goal. Do you want to inform, persuade, inspire or entertain? Be explicit, this sets direction.

5. Context

Provide background information. If you’re asking for marketing ideas, include details about your company, industry or audience.

6. Scope

Set topic limits. Narrowing the field ensures depth instead of vague generalities.

7. Keywords

Include relevant terms you want highlighted. For instance, a sustainability-focused article should feature terms like renewable energy, ESG, and net-zero.

8. Limitations

Set boundaries: word counts, style restrictions or compliance requirements. For example, “keep it under 300 words and avoid fluffy terms.”

9. Examples

Show a sample style you like. This helps AI mirror the voice you’re after.

10. Deadline

Indicate urgency or time relevance. Example: “Draft an announcement suitable for Q3 2025.”

11. Audience

Specify who you’re addressing: employees, shareholders, customers or the public. The output shifts accordingly.

12. Language

Clarify the language. Do you need it in English, Maltese, or another language for international communication?

13. Citations

Ask for references if you need data-backed answers or sources you can verify.

14. Points of view

Encourage diversity of thought: “Give me three perspectives—CEO, employee, and customer.”

15. Counterarguments

Request opposing views. This is excellent for risk assessment and strategic decision-making.

16. Terminology

Specify terms to use or avoid. For example, some industries prefer clients over customers.

17. Analogies

Ask for comparisons to simplify complex topics. This is ideal for presentations or training.

18. Quotes

Request relevant quotes from experts, thought leaders or historical figures to add authority.

19. Statistics

Support arguments with data. This builds credibility and trust in business settings.

20. Call to action

Always guide the reader on what to do next. Example: “Schedule a demo,” “Attend our event,” or “Contact us today.”

21. Questions

Finally, ask for clarification. This keeps the dialogue open and ensures you don’t miss key insights.

Why this matters

Prompting is more than a technical trick, it’s a leadership skill in the AI era. For Maltese executives, who often juggle multiple roles in leaner organizations, mastering these rules can save hours of work, sharpen decision-making and enhance communication.

Instead of settling for “average” AI answers, you can guide ChatGPT to act as a reliable advisor.

Practical example

Instead of “Write marketing copy for our business,” you can write “Act as a marketing consultant. Write a 150-word LinkedIn post in a professional yet approachable tone, promoting our Maltese eco-tourism packages. Include keywords like sustainability and authentic experiences. End with a call-to-action inviting readers to visit our website. Provide 2 variations.”

AI is not here to replace human judgment, but to enhance it. By following these 21 rules of prompting, leaders can transform AI into a strategic partner.