Spent 40 hours testing prompts so you don't have to. These seven work for 90% of what you'll ever need. Copy, paste, profit.
The Experiment
Here's what I did. Collected 100 prompts from Reddit, Twitter, LinkedIn. Prompts people swore by. Prompts that went viral. Prompts from "prompt engineering courses."
Tested every single one. Same tasks. Same inputs. Tracked what worked.
Ninety-three of them? Garbage. Overhyped. Or so specific they're useless for normal people.
But seven? These seven crushed it. Consistently. For different tasks. Different models. Different skill levels.
And the best part? You don't need prompt engineering expertise to use them.
Just copy. Fill in the blanks. Get results.
Why Most Prompt Collections Suck
You've seen them. "1,000 ChatGPT prompts!" "The ultimate prompt library!"
They're trash. Here's why:
They're too specific. A prompt for "writing LinkedIn posts about SaaS marketing for B2B companies" helps exactly one person.
They're too simple. "Act as a copywriter" isn't a prompt. It's the beginning of a prompt you still have to write.
They don't transfer. What works for ChatGPT fails on Claude. What works for writing fails for analysis.
These seven? They're different.
They're templates. Frameworks. You adapt them to your needs. They work across models. They scale with you as you get better.
Think of them like cooking recipes. Not "here's a sandwich I made," but "here's how to make any sandwich."
Let's get into it.
Prompt 1: The Universal Writer
Use this for: Emails, blog posts, social media, reports, anything with words.
The template:
Write a [type of content] about [topic] for [specific audience].
Purpose: [what this should accomplish]
Tone: [how it should sound]
Length: [specific word/character count]
Format: [structure requirements]
Key points to include:
- [point 1]
- [point 2]
- [point 3]
Avoid: [things to exclude]Real example:
Write a product announcement email about our new calendar sync feature for existing customers who use our project management app.
Purpose: Get users to try the new feature this week
Tone: Excited but not pushy, helpful
Length: 200 words maximum
Format: Short intro, 3 benefit bullets, clear CTA
Key points to include:
- Syncs with Google Calendar and Outlook
- Automatic meeting prep from project context
- Two-way sync keeps everything updated
Avoid: Technical jargon, assuming users know why this mattersWhy it works:
It gives AI everything it needs to know. Who, what, why, how. No guessing. No generic output.
The "avoid" section? That's the secret weapon. It prevents the clichés and filler that make AI writing sound like AI writing.
Pro tip:
Add "Before you write, tell me what angle you're planning to take" at the end. You'll catch issues before AI writes 500 words of wrong.
Prompt 2: The Problem Solver
Use this for: Stuck on something. Need solutions. Want creative approaches.
The template:
I'm trying to [goal] but I'm stuck because [specific obstacle].
Context:
- [relevant detail 1]
- [relevant detail 2]
- [relevant detail 3]
I've already tried:
- [attempt 1] - [result]
- [attempt 2] - [result]
Generate [number] different approaches to solve this. For each approach:
1. Explain the strategy in one sentence
2. List 3 specific steps to implement
3. Identify the main risk or challenge
4. Suggest how to measure if it's workingReal example:
I'm trying to get clients to respond to my proposal follow-ups but I'm stuck because they go silent after the initial meeting.
Context:
- I'm a freelance web designer
- My proposals are detailed and fair-priced
- Initial meetings go great, then nothing
- Usually following up 3-5 times with no response
I've already tried:
- "Just checking in" emails - get ignored
- Offering discounts - feels desperate, still no response
- Calling instead of emailing - get voicemail
Generate 3 different approaches to solve this. For each approach:
1. Explain the strategy in one sentence
2. List 3 specific steps to implement
3. Identify the main risk or challenge
4. Suggest how to measure if it's workingWhy it works:
The "I've already tried" section is critical. It stops AI from suggesting obvious things you've already done.
Asking for risks and measurement? That makes solutions actually usable, not just theoretical.
Pro tip:
Run this prompt for the same problem across different AI models. Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini. You'll get wildly different approaches. One will usually click.
Prompt 3: The Clarity Machine
Use this for: You wrote something. It's too long, too complicated, or too boring.
The template:
Rewrite this to be [target length] while making it [desired quality]:
[paste your content]
Rules:
- Keep all key information
- Make it scannable
- Use active voice
- No jargon unless necessary
- [any other specific requirements]
Then explain what you changed and why.Real example:
Rewrite this to be 100 words while making it compelling and clear:
"Our integrated solution leverages cutting-edge AI technology to facilitate seamless collaboration between distributed teams. By utilizing our proprietary algorithm, we optimize workflow efficiency and maximize productivity outcomes. The platform features robust functionality including real-time synchronization, automated task allocation, and comprehensive analytics dashboards. Organizations implementing our solution typically observe significant improvements in key performance indicators."
Rules:
- Keep all key information
- Make it scannable
- Use active voice
- No jargon unless necessary
- Make it sound human, not corporate
Then explain what you changed and why.Why it works:
The "explain what you changed" part is brilliant. You learn what makes writing better. Next time, you'll write clearer from the start.
Plus, you can disagree with changes. It's a dialogue, not a dictation.
Pro tip:
Use this on everything you write. Everything. Your writing will improve faster than any course could teach you.
Prompt 4: The Research Assistant
Use this for: Need to understand something fast. Learn a new topic. Get up to speed.
The template:
Explain [topic] to me. I'm a [your background] who needs to understand this for [your purpose].
My current knowledge level: [what you already know]
What I need to know:
- [question 1]
- [question 2]
- [question 3]
Explanation style:
- Use analogies related to [something you know well]
- Focus on practical application, not theory
- Highlight common misconceptions
- Give me one resource to learn more
Keep each answer under [number] words.Real example:
Explain blockchain to me. I'm a restaurant owner who needs to understand this because a customer wants to pay with cryptocurrency.
My current knowledge level: I know it's digital money. That's it.
What I need to know:
- How does accepting crypto actually work?
- What are the real risks for a small business?
- Is this worth the hassle or just a fad?
- What would I need to set up?
Explanation style:
- Use analogies related to running a restaurant
- Focus on practical application, not theory
- Highlight common misconceptions
- Give me one resource to learn more
Keep each answer under 100 words.Why it works:
It anchors the explanation to what you already know. The analogy instruction is key—it prevents generic explanations.
Limiting word count forces AI to cut the fluff. You get clarity, not textbook regurgitation.
Pro tip:
Save the good explanations. Build your personal knowledge base. Next time you need to understand something in that domain, you've got context.
Prompt 5: The Idea Generator
Use this for: Brainstorming. Stuck in a creative rut. Need fresh angles.
The template:
Generate [number] ideas for [what you need ideas for].
Context: [relevant background]
Goal: [what success looks like]
Constraints: [limitations - budget, time, resources]
For each idea:
- One sentence description
- Why it might work
- What's required to test it
- Rough effort level (low/medium/high)
Make them different from each other. One safe option, rest creative.Real example:
Generate 5 ideas for getting more email subscribers for my newsletter about urban gardening.
Context: I have 200 subscribers, write weekly, decent engagement
Goal: Hit 1,000 subscribers in 3 months
Constraints: $0 budget, about 5 hours per week to work on this
For each idea:
- One sentence description
- Why it might work
- What's required to test it
- Rough effort level (low/medium/high)
Make them different from each other. One safe option, rest creative.Why it works:
"One safe option, rest creative" is the magic phrase. You get one you'd probably think of yourself, plus four you wouldn't.
The effort level helps you pick. High-effort ideas need high-conviction. Low-effort ideas are easy tests.
Pro tip:
Don't judge ideas immediately. Generate first, evaluate later. You'll be tempted to dismiss creative ideas. Sit with them for a day.
Prompt 6: The Feedback Machine
Use this for: You made something. Need objective eyes. Want to improve before sharing.
The template:
Review this [thing] and provide critical feedback.
Context: [what it's for, who it's for]
Goal: [what I want it to accomplish]
[paste your thing]
Evaluate:
1. Does it accomplish the goal? Why or why not?
2. What's the strongest part?
3. What's the weakest part?
4. What's confusing or unclear?
5. What would you cut?
6. What's missing?
Be brutally honest. I need useful critique, not encouragement.Real example:
Review this cold email and provide critical feedback.
Context: This is for reaching out to potential podcast guests (authors and entrepreneurs)
Goal: Get 30% of recipients to reply and agree to an interview
Subject: Quick question about [their recent project]
Hi [Name],
I host a podcast about entrepreneurship and came across your work on [specific thing]. Really impressive.
Would you be interested in joining for a 30-minute conversation about [their expertise]? We get about 5,000 downloads per episode and our audience would love your perspective.
Let me know if you're interested and I'll send over more details.
Best,
[Your name]
Evaluate:
1. Does it accomplish the goal? Why or why not?
2. What's the strongest part?
3. What's the weakest part?
4. What's confusing or unclear?
5. What would you cut?
6. What's missing?
Be brutally honest. I need useful critique, not encouragement.Why it works:
"Be brutally honest" changes everything. Without it, AI is weirdly encouraging. With it, you get real critique.
The structured evaluation means you get actionable feedback, not just "this is good" or "this needs work."
Pro tip:
Run the same thing through this prompt, improve it, then run the improved version through again. Third version is usually the winner.
Prompt 7: The Strategic Planner
Use this for: Big projects. Multiple steps. Need a roadmap.
The template:
Help me create a plan to [goal] by [deadline].
Starting point: [where you are now]
End goal: [specific desired outcome]
Constraints:
- Time: [how much time you can dedicate]
- Resources: [what you have available]
- Skills: [what you're good at, what you're not]
Create a step-by-step plan that:
1. Breaks the goal into phases
2. Identifies dependencies (what must happen before what)
3. Suggests time estimates for each phase
4. Flags potential obstacles
5. Gives me one thing to do today to start
Make it realistic. I'd rather achieve a scaled-back goal than fail at an ambitious one.Real example:
Help me create a plan to launch a paid workshop about productivity for remote workers by December 1st.
Starting point: I have a blog with 500 readers, expertise in the topic, no workshop experience
End goal: Sell 20 tickets at $99 each, deliver the workshop successfully
Constraints:
- Time: About 10 hours per week
- Resources: $500 budget max for tools and marketing
- Skills: Good writer, decent at social media, never taught before
Create a step-by-step plan that:
1. Breaks the goal into phases
2. Identifies dependencies (what must happen before what)
3. Suggests time estimates for each phase
4. Flags potential obstacles
5. Gives me one thing to do today to start
Make it realistic. I'd rather achieve a scaled-back goal than fail at an ambitious one.Why it works:
The "make it realistic" instruction grounds AI. Without it, you get ambitious plans that look great but never happen.
"One thing to do today" turns planning into action. Most people get stuck at the plan stage.
Pro tip:
Revisit the plan every week. Tell AI what you actually accomplished, what took longer, what was easier. It'll adapt the plan. Living document, not static roadmap.
How to Actually Use These
Here's what you don't do: Save this article. Feel good about having "the prompts." Never use them.
Here's what works:
This week:
Pick one prompt. Use it for something real. Not practice. Actual work.
Next week:
Pick another. Use both.
Month from now:
You'll have internalized these patterns. You'll stop copying and start adapting.
That's when it clicks. These aren't just prompts. They're thinking frameworks.
The Combinations
The real power? Chaining these together.
Use Prompt 2 (Problem Solver) to figure out your approach.
Then Prompt 5 (Idea Generator) to brainstorm tactics.
Then Prompt 7 (Strategic Planner) to map the execution.
Then Prompt 1 (Universal Writer) to create the content you need.
Then Prompt 6 (Feedback Machine) to refine it.
You just went from problem to solution in five prompts.
Why Just Seven?
You might be thinking: "Only seven? I've seen lists with hundreds."
That's the point.
You don't need hundreds. You need a few that work for everything.
Master these seven. Get them in your muscle memory. Then you don't need to search for prompts anymore.
You've got your toolkit.
The One Thing That Still Matters
These prompts are good. But they're not magic.
They work because they follow principles:
- Provide context
- Be specific
- Define success
- Give constraints
Learn the principles through using the prompts. Then you'll start writing your own.
That's when you go from "person with good prompts" to "person who's good at prompting."
What You Should Do Right Now
Open your AI tool. Pick one of these prompts. Fill in the blanks for something you actually need.
Don't wait. Don't save for later. Don't plan to try it this weekend.
Right now.
The difference between people who get good at this and people who don't? The good ones actually try things.
Be the person who tries.
You've got the prompts. You've got the templates. You've got everything you need.
Now go use them.