9 Tips to Write Prompts That Actually Work (Claude)
Source: LinkedIn post by Hamna Aslam Kahn
Most people don’t have a Claude problem. They have an instruction problem.
The 9 Tips
1. Name the output, not the task
❌ “Review this.” ✅ “Create a 5-point executive summary with recommendations.”
The more specific the destination, the better the journey.
2. Define length upfront
Explicitly state: 5 bullet points, 200 words, 3 recommendations. Ambiguity forces assumptions.
3. Flip every “don’t” into a “do”
❌ “Don’t make it complicated.” ✅ “Write this so a 16-year-old can understand it.”
Positive instructions work better.
4. Lead with action
Skip “Can you help me…” — start with: Write. Analyze. Compare. Create.
Less conversation. More execution.
5. Force maximum reasoning
For important tasks: “Think step-by-step before answering.”
Most people never do this. The difference is huge.
6. Go beyond the basics
Add: “Polish this like it’s being delivered to a paying client.”
Watch how the quality changes.
7. Upload your voice
Paste examples of your writing → “Match this style.”
Showing beats explaining every single time.
8. Control the tools
Need research? Tell Claude to research. Need speed? Tell Claude to answer from existing knowledge. Don’t leave it guessing.
9. State the goal before the task (most important)
❌ “Write a LinkedIn post.” ✅ “Goal: Generate inbound leads from founders. Write a LinkedIn post.”
Now Claude understands what success looks like.
The Bigger Lesson
Most people obsess over prompts. The best AI users obsess over clarity.
AI doesn’t reward fancy wording. It rewards clear thinking.