How to Write an AI Prompt Using the IAF Method

Since AI has made a big scene, there’s been a rush to learn and understand prompt engineering and design. This new skill opens up a new world of opportunities for professionals, especially online entrepreneurs. This article demonstrates how to write an AI prompt using the IAF Method (Information, Action, Format). 

Let’s jump in!

Prompt Engineering Versus Prompt Design

To get started using ChatGPT, you need a prompt. A prompt is the action or task you assign to ChatGPT to get an output. In marketing, the output is usually the content you’re asking ChatGPT to create. 

You’ll often hear prompt engineering and prompt design used interchangeably. Prompt engineering and design are similar: they help form the prompt used for ChatGPT. The difference between prompt engineering and prompt design is that engineering is the format you use for the prompt, and design is the strategy behind why you’re using that format. 

So, let’s go further into prompts using the IAF Method.

How to Write an AI Prompt Using the IAF Method

The IAF Method involves three elements: Information, Action, and Format. Together, this helps you form your prompts for AI tools like ChatGPT and Bard. The goal of prompt design (including the IAF Method) is to have a conversation with AI, ensuring you include all the necessary information.

I: Information

The first element of the IAF Method is “information.” Ask yourself, What information will I provide the AI with? For example, include a link to a webpage, copy and paste text, or give it a list of facts. 

We recommend providing your own information rather than letting the AI pull from any sources. It will provide false and generic information that could damage your content’s credibility. 

Prompt: “Read the content on this website: [insert URL here]” OR “Read the following content: [paste content here]”

Pro Tip: Use Thruuu to pull information from any webpage or copy and paste from a pdf. 

A: Action

The second element of the IAF Method is “action.” Ask yourself, What action do I want the AI to perform with the information I provided? For example, make a quiz, write a blog post, draft an email, write a sales page, etc. Be clear with the action you assign to AI because this will determine the output it spits out.

Prompt: Create/Write/Draft [insert action here]. [Include clear instructions with specific criteria and the purpose].

In our AI Quizzes, this looks like, “Create three unique outcomes for quiz-takers based on what type of person they are. Each outcome should be unique from the other outcomes and written in a positive and motivating way, positioning the quiz-takers’ current status as “doing great” and then gently suggesting ways to become even better.”

F: Format 

The third element of the IAF method is “format.” Here, specify the exact format you want the output, down to the sentence structure and order. This saves you time so you don’t have to format the output later. 

Prompt: Use this format: [insert format] OR Use the following format: [insert format]

In our AI Quizzes, this looks like the following:

“Use JSON Output for a quiz result.

{

  “Outcome 1”: {

    “Outcome 1 Title”: “[Title]”,

    “Outcome 1 Image”: “[Two word search term]”,

    “Outcome 1 Description”: “[75-100 words, starts off with ‘Your… Then the first sentence describes the outcome in second person. Second sentence frames that outcome in a positively reaffirming way. Third sentence tells quiz-taker what they can do with their outcome]”

  }

}”

Bonus: Add Brand Voice 

As a bonus, include your brand voice in the prompt design to get an output that feels more authentic to your brand. Include feelings you want to invoke, tone, and formality. Don’t forget to review the text before using it in your content.

Prompt: My brand is [insert company values and mission]. Write this in a(n) [insert tone] tone that makes the customer feel [insert feeling]. 

Prompt: For the following tasks, I’d like you to take on this brand voice: [insert brand voice info here]

Below are examples of prompts we use for AI Quizzes:

“This brand presents practical and useful information that addresses the needs of their clients with a deep understanding of who their customers are. This brand leads with empathy and seeks to understand their customer’s needs before presenting anything to them.”

“This brand injects humor and personal experience into their explanations and has a real-life knowledge base of their customers so that examples used in their content are both relevant and relatable to the customer. “

“This brand is kind and seeks to be helpful, but also chooses their customers wisely, knowing they can’t please everyone.” 

How the IAF Method Comes Together 

Now you know how to write an AI prompt using the IAF Method. The IAF Method is an easy way to put prompts together that you can use again and again. The goal of prompt design (including the IAF Method) is to have a conversation with AI, ensuring you include all of the necessary information. 

The IAF Method involves three elements: Information, Action, and Format. This method entails giving AI your own information and sources, the action you want it to perform, and the format in which you want the output. Furthermore, add prompts to include your brand voice for authenticity.

With the IAF Method, AI tools like ChatGPT and Bard become more powerful.