Free guide from Smash Your AI

The AI prompting cheat sheet

7 frameworks that work every time. Print it, pin it next to your desk, and never write a bad prompt again.

The 7 frameworks

1
The ROLE framework
RRole - who should the AI be? OObjective - what do you want? LLength - how long should it be? EExamples - show what good looks like

Plus always specify the format: bullet points, paragraphs, table, numbered list.

2
The "Act as..." opener

Start every prompt with "You are a..." or "Act as a..." to set the AI's expertise and perspective.

Example
"You are an experienced marketing copywriter who writes for UK small businesses. Write a LinkedIn post about..."
3
The context sandwich

Structure every prompt in three layers: context first, then your instruction, then your constraints.

Example with labelled parts
Context

"I run a small bakery in Newcastle. We specialise in sourdough and pastries. Our customers are mostly young professionals."

Instruction

"Write 3 Instagram captions promoting our new weekend brunch menu."

Constraint

"Keep each under 100 words. Use a warm, casual tone. Include a call to action."

4
The iterative approach
"Think of it as a conversation, not a vending machine."
5
The example technique (few-shot)

Paste in 1-2 examples of what you want. The AI will match the tone, style, and structure automatically.

Works brilliantly for: emails, social posts, product descriptions, blog intros, or anything with a consistent style you want to replicate.

6
The constraint list

Always specify: length, tone, audience, format

Always state what to avoid: "Do not use jargon", "Do not include an introduction"

Power move
"Do not use the following phrases: 'In today's fast-paced world', 'It's important to note', 'game-changer', 'leverage', 'synergy', 'deep dive'."
7
The mega-prompt formula

Combine everything above into one powerful prompt: Role + Context + Instruction + Examples + Constraints.

Full worked example

You are a senior content strategist who specialises in email marketing for e-commerce brands.

I sell handmade candles online. My customers are women aged 25-45 who care about sustainability. We are launching a new autumn collection next week.

Write a launch email announcing the autumn collection. Include a subject line, preview text, and email body.

Here is an email I sent last season that performed well: [paste previous email]

Keep the body under 200 words. Use a warm, personal tone. Do not use the word "luxury". End with a single clear call to action linking to the collection page.

Quick reference card

Print this page and keep it next to your desk.

Before you write any prompt, check:

Did I set a role? ("You are a...")

Did I give enough context? (Background, audience, situation)

Did I specify the format and length? (Bullets, paragraphs, 200 words)

Did I set the tone and audience? (Casual, professional, for managers)

Did I say what to avoid? (Jargon, cliches, specific phrases)

Did I include an example? (Previous work, desired style)

5 phrases that instantly improve any prompt

"Keep this under [X] words"
"Write in a [casual / professional / friendly] tone"
"The audience is [specific description]"
"Do not include [specific things to avoid]"
"Here is an example of what I want: [paste example]"

The golden rule

The more specific you are about what you want, the less time you spend editing what you get. Spending 2 extra minutes on your prompt saves 20 minutes of back-and-forth.

Want to go deeper?

You have got 7 frameworks to transform your prompts. But there is so much more you can do with AI when you know how. Here is how to keep building your skills.

The complete prompt library

168 ready-made prompts organised by task. Copy, paste, customise, and get results in seconds. Covers marketing, writing, research, planning, HR, customer service, and more.

Included in the AI starter bundle - just £14.99

smashyourai.com/prompts

Online course

Go from beginner to confident. Covers prompting, automation, research tools, and real-world projects with hands-on exercises.

Coming soon

AI workshops for teams

Half-day or full-day sessions tailored to your business. Your team leaves with skills they can use the next day.

Get in touch for pricing

Free AI audit

We review your workflows and show you exactly where AI can save you time. No cost, no obligation.

Free

1:1 consultancy

Hands-on help setting up AI tools and automations for your specific business needs.

Get in touch for pricing

Follow us for daily AI tips

Practical tips, new prompts, and tool reviews. No spam, no jargon, just useful stuff you can apply straight away.

© 2026 Smash Your AI. All rights reserved.