“The right words, in the right order, change everything.”
—Adapted from David Ogilvy
Large-language models now sit at the core of content, campaign, and revenue workflows. Yet AP’s tech desk recently found that most weak AI outputs are user-prompt problems, not model problems (apnews.com). The difference between a forgettable answer and a game-changing insight comes down to the prompt. Below is a sharpened, psychology-driven guide that folds classic marketing wisdom into modern prompt engineering so your next request delivers results you can ship, sell, and scale.
1. Begin With a “Why” That Hooks
Start every prompt by declaring an outcome that matters to your audience (the Why), then frame it with one element to boost memorability.
Prompt starter
“You are a B2B demand-gen strategist. Why: help bootstrapped SaaS founders double qualified leads. Make it Simple and Unexpected: summarize three non-obvious LinkedIn outreach tactics…”
2. Layer the Six Prompt Power Principles
Skai’s 2025 marketer survey confirms that clear structure outperforms ad-hoc instructions by 40 percent in relevance scores (skai.io). Use this checklist (think STEPPS for prompts):
3. Turn Psychology Into Prompt Ingredients
4. Cross-Functional Collaboration Prompts
ProfileTree’s 2025 trend report notes that marketing wins compound when data, product, and creative craft prompts together (profiletree.com). Facilitate that synergy with “fusion prompts”:
You are a growth PM. Summarize our last cohort analysis in 150 words, then propose one email subject line and one TikTok hook—each backed by a metric from the analysis.
5. Two Ready-Made Prompt Examples
For Marketers (SUCCESs + STEPPS)
You are a storytelling copy chief. Draft a 90-second LinkedIn carousel that teaches the SUCCESs framework for prompt design. Use a quick anecdote to open (Story), surprising data for the twist (Unexpected),
bullet concrete tips (Concrete), cite one research stat (Credible), add an emoji for emotion (Emotional), and finish with a challenge tag audience can share (Social Currency). Include a PS scarcity CTA:
“First 100 downloads get my prompt swipe file.”
For Sales (Cialdini + StoryBrand)
Act as a SaaS sales trainer. Write a 5-step cold email sequence for fintech CFOs.
• Email 1: authority intro referencing a well-known
benchmark.
• Email 2: social proof case.
• Email 3: scarcity—calendar
slots filling.
• Email 4: reciprocity—free audit offer.
• Email 5: story—position CFO as hero, product as guide. Each under 120 words.
6. Iterate Like a Growth Hacker
- Run the base prompt.
- Review output against your campaign KPI.
- Refine a single variable (tone, length, hook).
- Repeat until the copy feels “Purple-Cow worthy.”
Even seasoned prompt engineers iterate four or five times before a final draft (tomsguide.com).
By blending marketing psychology with disciplined prompt structure, you transform AI from a shiny gadget into a revenue multiplier. Your words steer the machine, so make them unmissable.
