# Give clear instructions with business context | AI Basics for Business Owners

> Lesson 3 of AI Basics: write a prompt with task, audience, facts, boundaries, and format that produces a relevant first draft.

Source: https://andrewheldy.dev/resources/ai-basics/lesson-3

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4.  /AI Basics: Write a clear brief

AI basics · Course contents

[00Overview](https://andrewheldy.dev/resources/ai-basics)

[01Choose a first task](https://andrewheldy.dev/resources/ai-basics/lesson-1)

[02Understand chatbots](https://andrewheldy.dev/resources/ai-basics/lesson-2)

[03Write a clear brief](https://andrewheldy.dev/resources/ai-basics/lesson-3)

-   [What you will learn](#sec-what-you-will-learn)
-   [The basics](#sec-the-basics)
-   [Five minute exercise](#sec-five-minute-exercise)
-   [Copy this prompt](#sec-copy-this-prompt)
-   [Takeaway](#sec-takeaway)
-   [Completion check](#sec-completion-check)

[04Check and protect](https://andrewheldy.dev/resources/ai-basics/lesson-4)

[05Create a document](https://andrewheldy.dev/resources/ai-basics/lesson-5)

[06Build a workflow](https://andrewheldy.dev/resources/ai-basics/lesson-6)

[07Final project](https://andrewheldy.dev/resources/ai-basics/project)

[08Sources](https://andrewheldy.dev/resources/ai-basics/sources)

For business owners
No coding required
Practice with fictional data

LESSON 03 / 06 · 8–10 MIN

## Give clear instructions with business context

By [Andrew Heldenmuth](https://andrewheldy.dev/about), founder and operator of Ascension AI.

### What you will learn

Write a prompt that produces a relevant first draft.

### The basics

“Write some marketing” leaves many choices open. You will usually get a more usable draft when you describe the task, audience, relevant facts, boundaries, and desired format.

Think of the prompt as a short brief for a colleague. Explain what the work is for and what must stay true. Include an example of your preferred tone if you have one you are allowed to share.

After the first answer, give specific feedback. “Make this friendlier and remove the unsupported discount” is more useful than “Try again.” You remain responsible for claims about your business, including availability, prices, credentials, and customer results.

### Five minute exercise

1.  Spend one minute reading the business brief below.
2.  Spend two minutes generating two draft posts.
3.  Spend two minutes selecting one and asking for a specific improvement.

### Copy this prompt

Copyable promptCopy prompt

Task: Draft two social media posts for a fictional bicycle repair shop.
Audience: Local commuters who rely on their bicycles.
Goal: Invite people to request a maintenance appointment.
Facts: We inspect brakes, tires, and gears. Appointments are requested by email. Price and timing are confirmed after inspection.
Tone: Friendly, practical, and clear.
Boundaries: Do not invent discounts, reviews, guarantees, same-day availability, or safety claims. Do not invent an email address.
Format: Two options, each under 60 words, each ending with “Email us at \[your email address\] to request an appointment.” Leave the square-bracket placeholder exactly as written.

**Follow-up prompt:**

Copyable promptCopy prompt

Revise option 1 to sound more conversational. Keep all business facts and boundaries unchanged. Remove any claim that is not supported by the brief.

### Takeaway

A clear brief makes the first draft easier to review and improve.

### Completion check

Does the selected post match the audience, stay within the word limit, keep the bracketed placeholder, and avoid invented offers or promises? Fix any mismatch before marking this lesson complete.

**Swap in your business:** Replace the task, audience, and facts with a fictional version of your own business, and keep the boundaries line.

[← Understand chatbots](https://andrewheldy.dev/resources/ai-basics/lesson-2)[Next: Check and protect →](https://andrewheldy.dev/resources/ai-basics/lesson-4)