2 Minute Read
Public affairs and campaign professionals are literally in the business of mastering the art of communication. We craft precise messaging, navigate complex stakeholder relationships, and distill intricate policy into compelling narratives. But ironically, most of us are terrible at communicating with AI.
The missing piece is known as prompt engineering. But don't be intimidated by that techie-sounding phrase. AI itself will teach you how to do it in just seconds.
Imagine walking into a Senator's office and saying, "I need help with healthcare." You'd get some strange looks. But that's exactly how most of us approach AI—with vague, generic requests that often produce disappointing results.
Effective AI prompts require:
🔱 Clear context about your specific situation
🔱 Precise objectives for what you want to achieve
🔱 Background information the AI needs to help you, and
🔱 Specific deliverables you're looking for
What most people don't realize is that AI itself will help you write better prompts.
Instead of struggling to craft better prompts, ask the AI itself to help you.
Try this approach: Before asking for what you actually need, first ask the AI:
"I'm trying to accomplish [your goal]. What information do you need from me to give you the best possible response?"
Try this quick example right now in your favorite chatbot to see the enormous difference:
First Try:
"Write me talking points on renewable energy tax policy regarding the Big Beautiful Bill."
Now Try:
"I'm working on talking points for a campaign opposing the provisions in the Big Beautiful Bill that cut renewable energy tax credits. My audience is moderate House Republicans who support many of the other provisions in the bill. What information would you need from me to give you the best possible response?"
You will immediately see the radically different results, just by taking this one extra step.
We're at the dawn of the AI age. Organizations that master prompt engineering today will have a massive advantage over those who don't. Imagine the ripple effects of the above example, applied through all of the AI work in your organization, compounded over many years.
Your opponents are using AI too. The competitive edge isn't just which technology you use—it's how well you use it.
🔱 Start every complex AI conversation with a meta-prompt. Ask the AI what it needs to know, before you ask for what you want.
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