Embracing AI content marketing: Creating the perfect prompt is harder than you think

AI has emerged as a powerful tool that can transform how we create content. But it’s important to understand that AI shouldn’t be seen as a shortcut to churning out content quickly. Instead, it should be leveraged to enhance the overall quality of your marketing efforts. The key to unlocking AI's potential lies in providing optimal inputs and prompts. The more specific and well-thought-out your prompts are, the more tailored and high-quality the output will be.

By mastering the art of crafting effective prompts, you can ensure that the content generated by AI is not only relevant but also unique and engaging. This guide will walk you through the essential elements of creating the best prompt to generate top-notch content and provide you with a template to apply these principles in your own work.

7 elements of the perfect AI content marketing prompt

1. Define the goal

• Purpose: Clearly state the purpose of the content. Is it for educating, engaging, converting, or informing?

• Target audience: Specify who the content is for. Consider their expertise, role, and pain points.

• Desired outcome: What should the reader do or feel after consuming the content? (e.g. more informed, take action, change their perspective).

Example: Let’s assume that we’re asking for help to write a blog on AI content marketing, the first part of our prompt might be, "Write a comprehensive blog post that educates marketing professionals on how to leverage AI tools for creating more effective content marketing strategies. The goal is to inform the audience about the benefits, best practices, and future trends in AI-driven content marketing."

2. Provide context

• Industry or field: Mention the industry or field relevant to the content (e.g. fintech, digital marketing, healthcare).

• Current Trends or issues: Highlight any trends, challenges, or issues in the industry that should be addressed.

• Unique angle: Specify any unique perspectives or angles you want to explore. How should this content stand out from existing resources?

Example: To continue our prompt we might say, "Assume the audience is composed of experienced digital marketers who are familiar with traditional content marketing but have limited knowledge about AI. The blog should bridge the gap between what they know and how AI can enhance their current strategies."

3. Structure and style

• Content type: Specify the format (e.g. blog post, whitepaper, case study, social media post).

• Tone of voice: Define the tone (e.g. authoritative, conversational, formal, witty).

• Length: Indicate the desired length (e.g. short-form, 1,500 words).

• Sections and subheadings: If applicable, outline key sections or subheadings you want included.

Example: The next part of the prompt might be, “Ensure that the blog post is between 1,500 to 2,000 words and organised into clear sections: Introduction, Benefits of AI in Content Marketing, Best Practices, Case Studies, Future Trends, and Conclusion. The tone should be professional but approachable, using industry jargon sparingly and explaining any technical terms."

4. Specific requirements

• Key points to cover: List any specific points, facts, or arguments that need to be included.

• Examples and case studies: Mention whether examples or case studies should be incorporated, and if so, specify any preferences.

• External references: Specify if external sources or data points should be referenced and where to prioritise them from (e.g. high-authority websites, industry reports).

Example: To continue building our prompt we could ask, “Include at least three real-world examples of companies successfully using AI in their content marketing efforts. Ensure that the blog includes relevant statistics, quotes from experts, and links to reputable sources."

5. Creative elements

• Visuals: Indicate if there should be suggestions for images, infographics, or other visual elements.

• Metaphors or analogies: Mention if you want the use of metaphors, analogies, or other creative elements to simplify complex ideas.

Example: To add some creativity we could say, "Incorporate a metaphor comparing AI to a master chef who helps marketers cook up the perfect content recipe. Use this metaphor throughout the blog to make complex concepts more relatable and engaging."

6. Quality and uniqueness

• Avoid common clichés: Ask for content that avoids overused phrases or ideas.

• In-depth analysis: Request a deep dive into the topic, going beyond surface-level information.

• Original insights: Specify a preference for unique insights, analysis, or opinions not found in typical content.

Example: For this element we might say, "Ensure that the content is 100% original and offers a fresh perspective on AI content marketing, avoiding generic advice. The post should provide actionable insights that readers can't easily find elsewhere, supported by unique data or expert opinions."

7. Call to action (CTA)

• Ending with a CTA: Define what the reader should do next (e.g., contact us, sign up for a newsletter, download a guide).

• Engagement: Specify if the content should include questions or prompts to engage readers.

Example: Then to complete our prompt, we could ask, "Conclude the blog with a strong call to action, encouraging readers to explore AI content marketing tools by signing up for a free trial or downloading an exclusive guide. The CTA should be clear, compelling, and directly related to the blog content."

AI content marketing prompt template

To help you structure your prompts effectively, use the table below as a template to fill in the details for each element of the prompt.

Conclusion

AI content marketing has the potential to greatly enhance your fintech marketing strategy, but only when used correctly. By crafting detailed, thoughtful prompts, you can ensure that the content generated by AI is not only high-quality but also unique and engaging. Use the template provided to structure your prompts, and watch as your content transforms from generic to exceptional.

This approach will not only set you apart in the crowded digital space but also ensure that your audience gets the value they’re looking for. Remember, AI is a tool, and like any tool, it’s only as good as the person wielding it.

For some topics, AI still can’t replace expert fintech copywriters. If you need support with copywriting, check out our Fintech Copywriting Agency services.