Knowing how to talk to AI like a pro might sound high-tech or intimidating—but it’s really just about asking smarter questions. The truth is, AI is a reflection of what you give it. The better your prompt, the better the response you’ll get back.
If you've ever typed something into ChatGPT and felt underwhelmed by the answer, you’re not alone. But don’t worry—today we’ll walk through two simple frameworks that can instantly improve your results: MCP and SMART prompts.
Garbage In, Garbage Out
Let’s get this part out of the way: if your input is vague or confusing, your output will be too. Imagine asking someone, “Can you help me?” with no context. The same thing happens with AI. When it doesn’t know what you want, it guesses—and those guesses can miss the mark.
So how do we fix that? By learning how to prompt clearly and with purpose.
Framework #1: MCP Prompts
MCP stands for:
- Model – What kind of role do you want the AI to take? (e.g., a writing coach, a travel agent)
- Context – What is the background or situation?
- Prompt – What exactly are you asking it to do?
Here’s a quick example:
- Model: “You are a friendly nutritionist.”
- Context: “I’m trying to eat more protein while staying under 1800 calories.”
- Prompt: “Can you give me a simple 3-day meal plan?”
This setup helps the AI understand who it’s pretending to be, what it should focus on, and what outcome you want.
Framework #2: SMART Prompts
Just like SMART goals, SMART prompts are:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Actionable
- Relevant
- Time-bound (if applicable)
Instead of saying, “Help me get better at writing,” try:
“Can you give me 5 writing exercises I can do in 15 minutes each day to improve my storytelling skills?”
It’s focused, it gives clear instructions, and it sets expectations. AI thrives on that kind of clarity.
One Step Better, Every Time
Great prompting isn’t about sounding technical—it’s about being thoughtful. You don’t need to memorize every rule. Just pause, think about what you want, and give the AI some gentle guidance.
If you ever feel unsure, remember: experimenting is part of the fun. And if you’re curious about other common misunderstandings, you might enjoy this post on the Biggest AI Myths.
And if you’re ready to keep learning more techniques, this is a great next step: More prompting techniques.
What Will You Ask Next?
Now that you’ve got these simple tools, your next AI conversation might surprise you. Just remember—your input matters. Every time you pause to give a little more detail, you’re giving the AI a better chance to be helpful.
So, what’s something you’ve been meaning to ask? Try it again using one of these tips—and see what happens.