A Black Girls Guide: Prompt Engineer Blog Series

"Your Words, Your Power"

Alright, let’s be real—getting good responses from AI isn’t magic. It’s all about how you ask. Think of prompts like a recipe. If you throw in half the ingredients and skip the instructions, what you end up with is…well, a mess. But when you’re deliberate about the details, things come together perfectly. That’s what we’re aiming for here—prompts that get AI to deliver exactly what you want, with no surprises.

Here’s the bottom line: AI only gives you what you put into it. If your prompt is vague, expect a vague response. If it’s clear and precise? That’s when the magic happens.

So, What Even Is a Prompt?

Basically, a prompt is the input you give to an AI like ChatGPT to generate a response. It’s you telling the AI what you want it to do. But here’s the catch—AI doesn’t read minds. If you want rich, meaningful answers, you have to be intentional about the way you ask. A prompt is your way of saying, "Here’s what I need—now give it to me straight."

For example, say you’re planning a wellness retreat and you type:"What are some activities I could include?"

That’s okay, but it’s a little weak. Now try:"I’m organizing a wellness retreat for black women, focused on relaxation and mental clarity. What are five creative activities that would fit this theme?"

Boom. That second one? Way more useful. See how adding context and being specific gives the AI more to work with? That’s what we’re aiming for throughout this book—prompts that leave no room for guesswork.

Your First Rule: Tell, Don’t Assume

A lot of folks assume that AI knows what they mean without spelling things out. Spoiler: it doesn’t. If you ask a vague question, the AI will guess—and it won’t always guess right. The key is to be clear from the start. Instead of saying, "Give me vacation ideas," say:"Suggest three vacation spots for a solo black woman traveler who’s all about relaxation, food, and culture."

That’s the kind of prompt that gets results. The clearer you are, the less back-and-forth you’ll need to get what you want.

Garbage In, Garbage Out

Let’s talk about the GIGO principle—Garbage In, Garbage Out. It’s simple: if you feed the AI a bad prompt, you’ll get a bad answer. Think of the AI as a mirror—it reflects whatever you show it. If you put in lazy input, expect a lazy output. But when you take the time to craft a thoughtful prompt? That’s when the AI starts to shine.

And listen, don’t stress about getting it perfect on the first try. One of the best things about AI is that it’s cool with follow-ups. If the first response isn’t quite right, you can always tweak your prompt and try again. The AI isn’t going anywhere—it’s here to help you figure things out.

Let’s Talk Prompt Structure

Alright, now that we know what a prompt is, let’s break down how to build a good one. There are three things you want to keep in mind: context, instructions, and constraints.

First up, context. AI doesn’t know what you’re thinking unless you tell it, so give it some background. Think of it like setting the scene. Instead of saying, "What should I cook for dinner?" try:"I need a quick dinner idea for tonight. Something healthy, low-carb, and kid-friendly, but no chicken—I’m tired of chicken."

Next, you’ve got instructions. Be clear about what you need the AI to do. Do you want a list? A step-by-step guide? A short summary? If you don’t say what you want, the AI might ramble—and nobody has time for that.

Finally, there are constraints. Constraints are like bumpers in a bowling alley—they keep things focused. You can tell the AI what to leave out or set word limits to make sure it doesn’t go off the rails. For example:"Explain the benefits of meditation in under 150 words, without using any technical jargon."

See how those pieces work together? When you give the AI all the right ingredients, it knows exactly how to deliver.

Experiment Time: Play Around and Refine

Here’s the fun part: AI loves a good experiment. You can start with a basic prompt, see what it gives you, and then tweak it until it’s perfect. Think of it like adjusting the seasoning in a recipe—sometimes you need a little more salt or spice to get it just right.

Let’s try it out. Open up ChatGPT (or whatever AI tool you’re using) and run these two prompts:

"What are some ideas for a wellness retreat?"

"I’m planning a wellness retreat for black women. Suggest five activities that promote mental clarity and relaxation, but leave out yoga since that’s already on the schedule."

Notice the difference? That second prompt gives you more relevant, personalized suggestions because it’s detailed and focused. The more intentional you are with your prompts, the better the AI will respond.

Start Small, Build Big

You don’t have to write perfect prompts from the start. In fact, it’s often better to start with a simple question and build on it as you go. Think of it as a conversation—ask, refine, follow up. For example:

First Prompt: "What’s a good breakfast idea?"

Follow-Up: "What’s a good low-carb breakfast idea for someone who’s always in a rush?"

Refinement: "Can you give me a low-carb breakfast recipe that takes under 10 minutes to make, with ingredients I probably already have at home?"

See how each step makes the prompt better? It’s all about fine-tuning until the AI gives you exactly what you need.

Building the Habit

Here’s a little challenge: the next time you need help—whether it’s planning your week, writing an email, or brainstorming a new idea—try crafting a thoughtful prompt. Notice how much better the AI responds when you give it clear, specific instructions. And don’t be afraid to tweak your prompts as you go. The more you practice, the better you’ll get.

Coming Up In The Next Blog: How to Get AI to Match Your Vibe

In the next chapter, we’re talking tone and style—how to make sure the AI doesn’t just give you the right answer, but gives it in a way that fits your energy. Whether you’re drafting a business email or planning your next self-care Sunday, you’ll learn how to shape the AI’s voice to match the moment.