Generative AI has changed the game for how I write, brainstorm, and get work done faster. But the magic isn’t just in the AI—it’s in the prompt. A well-crafted prompt can save hours, unlock creativity, or just make your day a little more fun.
Here are 10 go-to prompts I think everyone should know. Whether you’re using ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or Copilot, these work across the board. Take note that these prompts also work well on the free versions of these platforms, so there’s no need to buy expensive subscriptions.
1. “Please help me brainstorm 10 ideas for a blog article.”
Let’s start with the one I used to write this article. It’s simple but surprisingly effective for unsticking your brain. I use it whenever I hit a creative wall and need momentum.
2. “Explain this to me like I’m five.”
This one is gold when you’re dealing with complicated concepts—machine learning, taxes, international politics—and just want the gist. The AI will give you a basic, clear summary without the fluff.
3. “Summarize the following text in bullet points.”
I often use this to digest long articles or whitepapers. Paste in a chunk of text, and you’ll get a crisp list of highlights. I sometimes follow it up with “Now summarize it in one sentence” when I need a headline or tweet.
4. “Act as a career coach and help me rewrite my resume for a [job title] role.”
If you’re job hunting or switching fields, this prompt is a great place to start. It helps restructure your resume around your target role and gives suggestions you may not have thought of. This one was featured in Tom’s Guide.
5. “Turn this paragraph into a professional email.”
I use this whenever I’ve written something too blunt or too casual. The AI can polish it up and make it sound like something you’d send to a client or manager—without losing your original intent.
6. “Give me 5 questions I should ask at the end of a job interview.”
Another Tom’s Guide favorite. It’s easy to freeze when asked, “Do you have any questions for us?” This prompt helps you prepare thoughtful, strategic questions that reflect well on you and help you assess the role.
7. “Act as a software engineer. Help me understand this error message: [paste error here].”
This has saved me more than once. If you’re not a developer (or even if you are), it’s a fast way to get context and troubleshoot weird or confusing error messages. If your GenAI tool fails, there’s always Stack Overflow.
8. “Generate 3 different social media captions for this post: [insert description or link].”
I use this to punch up Instagram, LinkedIn, or newsletter blurbs. The AI can suggest short, catchy captions, giving you options that are tailored to different tones or platforms.
9. “Write a bedtime story about my dog as a superhero. His name is [your dog’s name].”
This one blew up on social media recently after being featured in the Hindustan Times. It’s a feel-good prompt that’s great for kids—or for turning your golden retriever into a caped crusader just because you can.
10. “I’m trying to decide between two options. Ask me 5 questions to help me think more clearly.”
This is one of my personal favorites. Instead of forcing a decision, it helps you think like a coach or strategist would—by clarifying your values, risks, and priorities.
Final Thought
The secret to getting the most out of AI isn’t about knowing more tech—it’s about asking better questions. These 10 prompts are in my regular rotation because they’re versatile, fast, and honestly kind of fun. Try one out the next time you feel stuck, and see where it takes you.
Leave a Reply