This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Jaideep Parashar
ChatGPT is powerful, but most people don’t get great results.
Why? Because they make avoidable mistakes when writing prompts.
I’ve seen these same mistakes repeated by students, entrepreneurs, and even executives. After writing 40+ AI books and helping businesses adopt AI, here are the top 5 mistakes — and what to do instead.
1️⃣ Being Too Vague
Vague: “Write a business plan for me.”
Precise: “You are a startup consultant. Write a business plan for a subscription-based fitness app targeting working professionals. Include pricing, marketing, and growth strategies.”
Fix: Always add role, context, task, and constraints.
2️⃣ Expecting a Perfect Answer in One Shot
AI works best in iterations, not one-and-done commands.
Vague: “Write me a LinkedIn post.”
Precise: “Write me 5 LinkedIn post ideas about AI in business. Then expand idea #2 into a 200-word draft with a storytelling hook.”
Fix: Treat ChatGPT like a collaborator, not a vending machine.
3️⃣ Forgetting Tone & Audience
Your audience matters — but most prompts ignore this.
Vague: “Explain blockchain.”
Precise: “You are a teacher. Explain blockchain to a group of high school students using analogies from social media.”
Fix: Always specify who it’s for and how it should sound.
4️⃣ Not Giving Examples
AI loves examples. Without them, it guesses your style.
Vague: “Write me a tweet about AI.”
Precise: “Here are 2 tweets I like: [insert examples]. Write me 5 more in the same style but about AI for productivity.”
Fix: Show, don’t just tell.
5️⃣ Ignoring Constraints
Constraints = creativity. Without them, you get generic outputs.
Vague: “Write a blog on personal branding.”
Precise: “Write a 700-word blog on personal branding for developers. Use short sentences, 3 real-world examples, and end with a call-to-action.”
Fix: Set word count, structure, or format in every prompt.
Final Thought
Great prompts aren’t complicated — they’re clear, specific, and intentional.
When you avoid these 5 mistakes, ChatGPT becomes less like a toy and more like a business partner.
More Learning Resources:
My live lectures on prompts & productivity
→ ReThynk AI YouTube ChannelPlug-and-play prompt systems (free & paid) → ReThynk AI Templates & Frameworks
Professional AI, business, and tech insights (currently free on our website) → ReThynk AI Magazine
Prompt Books → Ready-to-use libraries across business, authorship, productivity, and branding → Amazon Author Page
📌 Next Post: “Creating Wealth with AI: Vision vs. Execution” — the truth about turning AI hype into sustainable business.
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Jaideep Parashar
Jaideep Parashar | Sciencx (2025-08-22T03:21:06+00:00) 5 Mistakes People Make with ChatGPT Prompts. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2025/08/22/5-mistakes-people-make-with-chatgpt-prompts/
Please log in to upload a file.
There are no updates yet.
Click the Upload button above to add an update.