6 steps that ensure every query you create returns the very best possible response
Most people prompt AI like a search engine. "Write me a positioning statement." "Give me a tagline." "What should my messaging be?" And then they're surprised when the output is generic. The output is only ever as good as the input. And most inputs lack structure. I use AI in my positioning work every day. But only as an amplifier of my problem definition, curiosity and strategic thinking Here's the 6-part structure that I've found gets the best results: 1️⃣ Role ↳ Tell it exactly who to be. ↳ "Act as a B2B positioning strategist." 2️⃣ Task ↳ Define the precise deliverable. ↳ "Audit this messaging for differentiation gaps." 3️⃣ Context ↳ Load it with your reality. ↳ Audience, competitors, constraints, market position. 4️⃣ Reasoning ↳ Ask it to show its working. ↳ "Explain your logic step by step." 5️⃣ Stop Conditions ↳ Set hard boundaries. ↳ "Maximum 4 recommendations. No generic advice." 6️⃣ Output ↳ Dictate the exact format you need. ↳ "Deliver as a comparison table with trade-offs." The more structure you give, the less generic the output becomes. Most people skip steps 3 and 4... Those two are where the depth lives. Skip them, and you're getting surface-level output every time. AI won't replace strategists or critical thinkers. But it will expose anyone that lacks rigour, depth, creativity and curiosity. ♻️ Repost to help your network unlock their growth potential. 💡 FollowPaul Evansfor actionable business and positioning advice. 🔔 Don't forget to turn on post notifications to stay up to date.
"Write me a positioning statement."
"Give me a tagline."
"What should my messaging be?"
And then they're surprised when the output is generic.
The output is only ever as good as the input.
And most inputs lack structure.
I use AI in my positioning work every day.
But only as an amplifier of my problem definition, curiosity and strategic thinking
Here's the 6-part structure that I've found gets the best results:
1️⃣ Role
↳ Tell it exactly who to be.
↳ "Act as a B2B positioning strategist."
2️⃣ Task
↳ Define the precise deliverable.
↳ "Audit this messaging for differentiation gaps."
3️⃣ Context
↳ Load it with your reality.
↳ Audience, competitors, constraints, market position.
4️⃣ Reasoning
↳ Ask it to show its working.
↳ "Explain your logic step by step."
5️⃣ Stop Conditions
↳ Set hard boundaries.
↳ "Maximum 4 recommendations. No generic advice."
6️⃣ Output
↳ Dictate the exact format you need.
↳ "Deliver as a comparison table with trade-offs."
The more structure you give, the less generic the output becomes.
Most people skip steps 3 and 4...
Those two are where the depth lives.
Skip them, and you're getting surface-level output every time.
AI won't replace strategists or critical thinkers.
But it will expose anyone that lacks rigour, depth, creativity and curiosity.
♻️ Repost to help your network unlock their growth potential.
💡 Follow Paul Evans for actionable business and positioning advice.
🔔 Don't forget to turn on post notifications to stay up to date.