How to write effective AI prompts: A guide to the PROMPT, INPUT, IMAGE, and SCENE frameworks

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools are becoming indispensable for creating, designing, and generating content at scale. To unlock AI’s full potential, marketers need to master effective AI prompts tailored to the task, tool, and desired outcome. By using frameworks like PROMPT, INPUT, IMAGE, and SCENE, you can achieve clearer communication with AI tools such as chatbots, research engines, image generation tools, and video design platforms, while driving better results.

The Prompt Framework Reference Guide (available for download as a PDF) outlines actionable steps to craft structured, precise prompts that ensure clarity, creativity, and purpose. If you’ve ever wondered how to write effective AI prompts or wanted to maximize results from AI tools for creating content faster, this guide will provide the strategies you need.

The PROMPT framework: Create better chatbot prompts for AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini

The PROMPT framework ensures effective chatbot interactions, offering a step-by-step approach to crafting prompts that produce meaningful, actionable outputs. Chatbots benefiting from PROMPT prompting are those like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude.

Components of the PROMPT framework:

1. Persona: Define who the chatbot should act as, including its expertise.
   Example: “You are a social media manager with expertise in creating high-engagement posts.”

2. Request: State the specific task or action required.
   Example: “Create a Facebook post for an upcoming product launch.”

3. Outcome: Clearly define the desired goal or result.
   Example: “The post should drive user engagement and excitement.”

4. Market: Specify the audience or demographic the content should target.
   Example: “Target health-conscious millennials who use Spotify for workouts.”

5. Process: Provide detailed steps or instructions for crafting the response.
   Example: “Generate three options that emphasize personalization and simplify workout motivation.”

6. Template: Offer format or structure guidelines to shape the output.
   Example: “Keep it under 280 characters, include a hashtag, and end with a call-to-action.”

This framework is especially useful for those exploring how to write better prompts for AI content generation. By combining these elements, you can direct AI to generate outputs that meet your objectives while aligning with specific audiences and formats.

Watch the YouTube video of the PROMPT framework in action.

The INPUT framework: Optimize research and insights with AI answer engines

For AI-powered market research using answer engines like Perplexity, SearchGPT, and Google Deep Research, the INPUT framework structures prompts to ensure outputs are well-informed and actionable.

Components of the INPUT framework:

1. Instruction: Clearly state the task and type of information you need.
   Example: “Research how AWS and Microsoft market their government-specific cloud solutions.”

2. Necessary Context: Provide relevant background or focus areas to guide the response.
   Example: “Focus on content aimed at federal, state, and local agencies within the last 6 months.”

3. Provide Input: Share data or specific materials as a foundation.
   Example: “Include messaging that highlights compliance, cost savings, and case studies.”

4. Useful Keywords: Include specific terms to refine focus.
   Example: “Keywords: government cloud solutions, cybersecurity, compliance.”

5. Template: Define the structure for the response.
   Example: “Summarize findings as bullet points, highlighting benefits and calls to action.”

For those interested in how to write prompts for AI tools to streamline research tasks, the INPUT framework is invaluable.

Watch the YouTube video of the INPUT framework in action.

The IMAGE framework: Create stunning AI-generated visuals

When working with AI to generate visuals, the IMAGE framework provides a structured way to bring the image in your head to life. Whether you’re crafting content for AI-powered creative campaigns or exploring AI tools for design and branding, this framework ensures your visuals align with your vision.

Components of the IMAGE framework:

1. Intent: Define the purpose or theme of the image.
   Example: “Create a poster for a futuristic smartwatch.”

2. Mood: Describe the artistic style or emotional tone.
   Example: “Set the mood to modern and tech-savvy, using a photorealistic style.”

3. Attributes: Provide details on the setting, characters, or objects in the image.
   Example: “Place the smartwatch on a sleek white table in a minimalistic room with holographic projections of data charts.”

4. Guidance for Composition: Offer specifics about layout, lighting, or focal points.
   Example: “Use soft lighting to accentuate the watch’s metallic edges and keep the background clean.”

5. Enhance with Context: Add thematic or storytelling elements.
   Example: “Highlight the futuristic theme with holographic elements reinforcing the smartwatch’s functionality.”

If you’re exploring AI design tools for creating branded visuals, this framework ensures precise communication with AI to create on-point imagery.

Watch the YouTube video of the IMAGE framework in action.

The SCENE framework: Designing engaging video content with AI

The SCENE framework brings video content to life by helping you structure detailed and vivid prompts. Whether you’re creating marketing videos or social media assets, it’s a must-have for AI-powered video creation.

Components of the SCENE framework:

1. Subject: Specify the focus of the scene.
   Example: “A cozy cat resting by a crackling fireplace.”

2. Context: Define the setting, time, or environment.
   Example: “A rustic living room at night with warm firelight.”

3. Emotion: Describe the tone or mood to evoke.
   Example: “Create a tranquil and cozy atmosphere with warm, golden tones.”

4. Narrative Actions: Define character or object movements.
   Example: “Start with a close-up of the flames, then pan out to reveal the cat stretching.”

5. Equipment Details: Specify technical aspects like camera angles or techniques.
   Example: “Use a dolly for smooth motion and a shallow depth of field.”

This framework ensures that your video prompts are not only clear but also visually compelling.

Watch the YouTube video of the SCENE framework in action.

Unlock AI's potential with strategic prompting frameworks

Crafting effective AI prompts is an art that can unlock AI’s full potential. By using frameworks like PROMPT, INPUT, IMAGE, and SCENE, you can ensure clarity, creativity, and actionable results across a variety of tasks—whether you're generating social media posts, conducting research, creating visuals, or designing videos. The right prompts don’t just make AI work harder; they empower you to dream bigger, create faster, and achieve outcomes that were once out of reach.

Ready to master AI prompting? Download the Prompt Framework Reference Guide today and start crafting impactful AI-driven content.

AI disclosure: This post was AI-directed with ChatGPT based on a Prompt Framework Reference Guide I created. The post’s image was AI-directed with MidJourney. I, Natalie Lambert, contributed as the human element in these activities.