Direct and Role-Based Prompting

This approach combines the straightforwardness of a direct instruction with the power of assigning a specific persona. It’s a highly effective way to get a clear, targeted response from a particular point of view.

• Example: “You are the expert in selling training courses for IPSO FACTO. I need you to write a professional email to a company HR manager. The email should introduce our new Microsoft Excel and Power Applications training, highlight the benefits of increased efficiency and data analysis for their teams, and include a call to action to book a demo. Make the tone persuasive but professional.”
• Why it works: By combining a clear directive (“write a professional email”) with a defined role (“Sales expert”), the prompt ensures the output is both on-task and strategically aligned with your business goals. It’s like having your sales expert draft the message for you.

Contextual & Zero-Shot Prompting

This method provides Gemini with the necessary background information without needing an example, allowing it to generate a new, relevant response from scratch.

• Example: “Our company, IPSO FACTO, provides Project Management training like PRINCE2 and AgilePM. Our customers are often training and HR managers looking to upskill their teams. We also work with a XXX company to train armed forces leavers. Create a social media post for LinkedIn that promotes our Change Management course. The post should appeal to both HR managers and individuals, explaining how the course helps navigate professional transitions smoothly. Do not use any jargon.”
• Why it works: Providing the context upfront (your business, your audience, and your training) enables Gemini to create a post that is immediately relevant to your diverse customer base. This “zero-shot” approach is ideal for quick content generation when a specific format isn’t required.

Few-Shot & Iterative Prompting

Start with a few examples to set the desired style and then refine the output through conversation. This is perfect for maintaining consistency across a series of marketing materials.

• Example (a conversation):
  • Prompt 1: “I need three short bullet points for a leaflet promoting our AgilePM course. Here’s the style I’m looking for:
    • PRINCE2: Structured control for predictable project success.
    • APM PFQ: The essential foundation for any aspiring project manager.Now, please do the same for the AgilePM course.”
  • Gemini’s Response: [Initial bullet points]
  • Prompt 2: “That’s a good start. Now, can you make it sound a little more dynamic and focused on team collaboration?”
• Why it works: The “few-shot” examples give Gemini a clear stylistic template. The iterative part of the conversation allows you to refine the tone and focus, ensuring the final output perfectly matches your marketing message without having to rewrite the entire prompt each time.

Constraints-Based & Self-Critique Prompting

This is an advanced technique where you give a clear set of rules for the response, and then ask Gemini to review and improve its own work. It’s excellent for creating polished content in a single prompt.

• Example: “Write a blog post introduction (around 100 words) about the financial benefits of mastering Microsoft Excel for individuals looking to improve their employability. The introduction must be written in a professional yet approachable tone. After you’ve written it, critique your own work by suggesting one way to make it even more engaging for a job seeker, and then provide the improved version.”
• Why it works: By combining constraints (length, tone, topic) with a self-critique instruction, you can bypass multiple rounds of editing. Gemini essentially becomes its own editor, delivering a final product that is more likely to meet your high standards for clarity and appeal.