Want Better AI Answers? Try These Prompt Tricks Used by the Pros
Want Better AI Answers? Try These Prompt Tricks Used by the Pros
AI can do amazing things—but only if you know how to talk to it.
Whether you’re using ChatGPT to write emails, Jasper to generate social posts, or any other AI assistant to help with your business, your results are only as good as your prompts. This post is your crash course in prompt engineering 101—aka the art of asking smarter questions to get better answers.
And yes, we’ll give you real examples straight from Asheville small businesses.
Let’s dive in.
What Is a Prompt (and Why Should You Care)?
A prompt is just what you type into an AI to get a response. But here’s the secret:
Better prompts = better results.
It’s like giving directions. If you vaguely say, “Write a blog,” you’ll get something generic. But if you say, “Write a 300-word blog for my Asheville gift shop about top-selling handmade products in fall,” now the AI knows what you really want.
The best part? You don’t need to be tech-savvy or fancy with your words. You just need a few tricks up your sleeve.
5 Prompt Tips Every Asheville Business Owner Should Know
1. Be Specific—Not Shy
Bad Prompt:
“Help me with marketing.”
Better Prompt:
“Write 3 email subject lines to promote my upcoming Asheville yoga workshop for busy moms.”
Why it works: The AI knows what you’re promoting, who it’s for, and where it’s happening. That context matters.
2. Tell It Who You Are
The AI doesn’t know your business unless you tell it.
Example:
“I’m a local landscaper in Asheville who specializes in eco-friendly garden designs for homeowners.”
Now it will write content in a tone, voice, and context that fits your brand.
3. Set the Tone You Want
Want your content to sound friendly? Professional? Witty? Say so.
Prompt Upgrade:
“Write a friendly Instagram caption about spring lawn prep tips, using a casual tone and local Asheville references.”
Tone matters as much as the topic.
4. Break It Into Steps
AI gets overwhelmed by vague prompts. Give it structure.
Instead of:
“Create a business plan.”
Try:
“Give me an outline for a simple business plan for a dog grooming business in Asheville, NC.”
Then follow up with:
“Now expand the marketing section into 2 paragraphs.”
5. Use Examples from Real Life
The more grounded your prompt is, the better the results.
Prompt Example for a Local Café:
“Write a short ‘About Us’ paragraph for an Asheville coffee shop that’s dog-friendly, sources beans from NC roasters, and hosts weekend open mics.”
Real Prompts from Asheville Entrepreneurs
Asheville Candle Co.
Prompt:
“Write a product description for a handmade soy candle scented with lavender and blue spruce. Mention it’s made in Asheville and perfect for relaxing mountain nights.”
Result:
A cozy, local-flavored product description that matches the brand perfectly.
Blue Ridge Bookkeeping
Prompt:
“Explain what a Schedule C is in plain English for new Asheville-based sole proprietors who hate taxes.”
Result:
A simplified explanation perfect for website content.
Buncombe Wellness Studio
Prompt:
“Create a short welcome email for new massage clients. Tone: warm and personal. Mention our downtown Asheville location and holistic focus.”
Result:
An on-brand email ready to send within seconds.
FAQs: Ask Us Anything
1. Do I need fancy language to write a good prompt?
Not at all! You just need to be clear. Think of how you’d explain the task to a smart assistant who doesn’t know your business—because that’s exactly what the AI is.
2. Can AI really understand my local Asheville audience?
With the right prompt? Yes. Include local references, customer types, and your business details. The more info you give, the better the response.
3. What’s the best AI tool for small businesses?
It depends on your needs. ChatGPT is great for general content and brainstorming. Jasper is more focused on marketing. If you’re not sure where to start, that’s where we come in.
Ready to Use AI Like a Pro?
At Asheville AI Solutions, we help small businesses just like yours get real results with AI—without the jargon, hype, or confusing tech.
Whether you’re just getting started or want to build a custom digital assistant for your business, we’ve got your back.
👉 Schedule a Free Consultation
Let’s talk about your business and how smart, simple AI can help. Local. Veteran-owned. Always on your side.