We often overestimate AI's human-like abilities and expect it to "think" like us. But AI doesn't "think" in the traditional sense—it's a master at pattern recognition, processing the data it's trained on.

Understanding this shifts the way we interact with AI and reveals how to leverage it more effectively.

When you understand how to communicate with the AI in a way that plays to those patten recognizing strengths you get much better results.

Here is how I do it.

_{5 Steps To Talk To Generative AI}

There are so many ways that you can communicate with large language models. Itcan be overwhelming.

I recommend using the ACTOR framework because it give explicit structure to your prompts. By using this framework, you can craft prompts that guide the AI effectively without expecting it to "think" like a human.

Practical Example: Writing a Creative Brief

A creative brief is essential for aligning teams, setting expectations, and guiding creative work. Without a well-crafted brief, projects can become disorganized, leading to wasted time and resources.

Let's apply the ACTOR framework to create a comprehensive creative brief with the help of AI.

1. Assign Role

This is where you define the AI's role to set expectations for the kind of response you want.

You are an experienced marketing strategist and copywriter.

2. Context

Provide background information the AI needs to understand the situation. This could include details about the audience, the purpose of the task, or any relevant constraints.

I need to develop a creative brief for a new advertising campaign promoting an eco-friendly water bottle. The campaign should appeal to environmentally conscious consumers and highlight the product's unique features.

3. Tasks

Define the specific steps or actions that the AI should take. Break down the task into manageable parts to ensure clarity.

Your task is to help me draft a creative brief by identifying the key components that should be included. For each component, provide a brief description and example content tailored to the eco-friendly water bottle campaign.

4. Output

Provide examples of the expected output or describe what you envision as the final result. This helps the AI understand the format, tone, and style you are looking for.

Please present the components in a numbered list format, with each component title in bold, followed by the description and example content in plain text. For example:

Project Overview: Provide a summary of the campaign objectives and key messages. For instance, 'We aim to increase brand awareness among eco-conscious consumers by highlighting the water bottle's sustainable materials and reusable design.'

5. Review

Include a final step for reviewing and refining the output. Encourage the AI to iterate on its responses based on feedback or additional information.

After listing all the components, please review the creative brief for any missing elements and suggest enhancements to make it more effective.

Final Prompt Using the ACTOR Framework

You are an experienced marketing strategist and copywriter. I need to develop a creative brief for a new advertising campaign promoting an eco-friendly water bottle. The campaign should appeal to environmentally conscious consumers and highlight the product's unique features. Your task is to help me draft a creative brief by identifying the key components that should be included. For each component, provide a brief description and example content tailored to the eco-friendly water bottle campaign. Please present the components in a numbered list format, with each component title in bold, followed by the description and example content in plain text. For example:

Project Overview: Provide a summary of the campaign objectives and key messages. For instance, 'We aim to increase brand awareness among eco-conscious consumers by highlighting the water bottle's sustainable materials and reusable design.'

After listing all the components, please review the creative brief for any missing elements and suggest enhancements to make it more effective."

Expected Output from the AI

By using the ACTOR framework, the AI is guided to produce a clear and structured response:

1. Project Overview: Summarize the campaign's purpose and primary goals.

   Example: "The objective is to launch an advertising campaign that increases brand awareness and drives sales of our new eco-friendly water bottle. The campaign will emphasize the product's sustainable materials and commitment to reducing single-use plastic waste."

2. Target Audience: Define the specific group of consumers the campaign is aimed at.

   Example: "Environmentally conscious adults aged 25-45 who are interested in sustainable living, outdoor activities, and health and wellness."

3. Key Messages: Identify the main points that the campaign should communicate.

   Example: "Our water bottle is made from 100% recycled materials, is BPA-free, and is designed for long-term reuse, helping to reduce plastic pollution."

4. Unique Selling Proposition (USP): Highlight what sets the product apart from competitors.

   Example: "The only water bottle on the market made entirely from ocean-reclaimed plastics, directly contributing to cleaner oceans with every purchase."

5. Tone and Style: Describe the desired mood and voice of the campaign.

   Example: "Inspirational and empowering, with a focus on community impact and personal responsibility towards the environment."

6. Deliverables: List the specific materials to be created.

   Example: "Social media ads, a 30-second video commercial, print ads for eco-focused magazines, and promotional materials for retail stores."

7. Timeline: Provide the schedule for the campaign's development and launch.

   Example: "Creative development to be completed by [Date], with the campaign launch scheduled for Earth Day."

8. Budget: Outline the financial resources allocated for the campaign.

   Example: "Total budget of $50,000 covering creative development, production, and media placement."

9. Mandatories: Specify any required elements like logos, slogans, or disclaimers.

   Example: "Include the company logo, hashtag #CleanOceans, and the tagline 'Sip Sustainably.'"

10. Measurements of Success: Define how the campaign's effectiveness will be evaluated.

    Example: "Success will be measured by a 20% increase in website traffic, 15% boost in sales within the first month, and increased engagement on social media platforms."

Review and Suggestions

To make the creative brief more effective, consider adding a Competitor Analysis section to understand how to differentiate the campaign further. Also, including Customer Insights from market research can help tailor the messaging more precisely.

Addressing the 'Thinking Problem'

In this example, I didn't ask the AI to "think" or "re-read" anything. Instead, I provided clear instructions and expectations. By assigning a role and providing context, I set the stage for the AI to deliver relevant content. Defining tasks and output format guides the AI's response, making it more aligned with our needs. The review step encourages the AI to check its work, ensuring completeness and quality.

Conclusion

When you tailor your prompts effectively using the ACTOR framework, the results can be transformative. It's like unlocking a superpower—suddenly, you have access to an incredibly powerful tool that can augment your own capabilities in remarkable ways. But here's the twist: as you get better at communicating with AI, you'll start to see its limitations more clearly. You'll understand where it excels and where it falls short. This insight is valuable because it allows you to use AI more strategically, complementing your own skills rather than trying to replace them.

It's not about AI thinking like us, but about us learning to think in ways that maximize AI's potential. So, next time you interact with AI, remember to apply the ACTOR framework. You're not talking to a human; you're communicating with a powerful but different kind of intelligence. Speak its language, and watch as it magnifies your capabilities beyond what you thought possible.