The simplest way to get 10x better GenAI outputs

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On with today's programming...

Ever notice how AI sometimes feels like it's playing a guessing game with what you really want? Here's a prompt technique that's like giving AI a PhD in mind reading (okay, not quite, but close enough).

The secret? Get AI to interview YOU.

Instead of hoping AI magically understands your needs, try this: explicitly ask it to ask you questions. Think of it like turning AI into that super-thorough colleague who always knows exactly what clarifying questions to ask before starting a project.

Here's the magic formula:

Add this to the end of any prompt:

“Before you begin, please ask me as many questions as you need to be 95% confident to do an excellent job.”

Want to level it up?

Add specific areas you want the AI to probe:

"Before starting, please ask me questions about: our brand voice, our target customer's specific challenges, competitors we want to differentiate from, and any industry-specific terminology preferences."

Then you may add additional pieces such as:

“Consider things like tone, format, length, style, audience, and any specific elements that would help you nail this brief” or “consider the logical arguments I have made and ensure you understand the brief without making assumptions.”

Depending on what you’re asking the GenAI to do.

Here’s an example.

Let's say you need a sales email. Instead of:

"Write a sales email about our new project management software"

Try:

"Write a sales email about our new project management software. Before you begin, please ask me as many questions as you need to be 95% confident to do an excellent job. Consider things like tone, format, length, style, audience, and any specific elements that would help you nail this brief."

The AI will write a bunch of questions – sometimes in dot points and sometimes in numbered lists. Just respond “1. (answer) 2. (answer)” etc..

The difference?

Instead of getting a generic email, you'll get meaningful questions to respond to:

Who's your target audience?
What's their biggest pain point?
What makes your software unique?
Any specific features you want to highlight?
Preferred length?
Any specific CTA?

Why this technique works so well

Forces clarity in your own thinking
Catches blind spots you might have missed
Results in much more targeted outputs
Saves time on revisions
Creates a collaborative dialogue rather than a one-shot attempt

Want to seriously level it up?

Offer the AI multiple rounds of Q&A until it has that 95% confidence you were after.

Give it a shot today

Next time you're working with AI, instead of hoping it reads your mind, let it interview you first. You might be surprised at questions you hadn't even considered - and how much better the final output becomes.

One final (pro) tip:

Save the questions and your answers. They often make an excellent basic creative brief for future projects.

Cheers

Amantha

P.S. Want to 10x your productivity in just a few hours. Stop using AI like a beginner and start commanding it like an expert with Inventium's GenAI Productivity System (it's our brand new program that I am SOOOO excited to share). I am giving wonderful subscribers (yes you!) $100 off the course price until Friday March 21. Don't miss your chance to transform from AI dabbler to workplace wizard. Enrol now and save $100. Enter: LEVELUP100 at checkout.

P.P.S. If in-person is more your style (you know, actual humans in the same room), we have just released new spots for our Melbourne and Sydney masterclasses. Get your hands-on learning fix and book those here before they disappear faster than the complimentary pastries at morning tea.

One Percent Better with Dr Amantha Imber