Learn: AI has RISEN

Ok, this post might get a bit longer than usual because it’s kind of a tutorial about using AI. I’ve already shared some posts about using different AI tools in my daily life, e.g. ChatGPT, Gemini, or Firefly. But to really get a great result, pros – so-called prompt engineers – follow the RISEN framework to get the best specific rather than generic output. You can watch a 90-second clip on Instagram or TikTok if you want, but I prefer reading text.

Prompt engineering has nothing to do with engineering or coding; it’s more about communication. AI is not a mind reader; you have to tell it what you want. No matter how clear the picture is in your mind, there’s always room for interpretation. Anyone who has ever written a briefing for an agency or a freelancer, or has left the hairdresser with a fucked-up haircut, knows how difficult this can be.

Many AI tools have a chat-like interface, and you should use it like that. Communicate! You can refine your result iteratively, which can be frustrating, or you can give as much information as possible upfront. According to RISEN, you start with R.

Role:

Define the role the AI has to fulfill. If you need a copy text for advertising, you can write something like: “You’re a professional copywriter.” Next, you write what needs to be done.

Instructions:

To stick with my example of the copywriter, instructions could be: “You need to write a text for an advertisement.” Next, provide the necessary information to create the content such as:

• Who is the target group?
• What is the key message of the text?
• What product or service is advertised?
• What is the benefit or USP of it?
• What is the concept or design of the advertisement?
• Who is the brand that advertises? •
• What is the brand’s voice?
• etc.

To get a dynamic text, you should define the structure of it.

Steps:

A copywriter usually starts with a good headline to grab the reader’s attention and interest. Next, they would write a short intro to the text, which later features the USP or 2-3 benefits to generate desire in the readers. Lastly, you need a call to action.

End goal:

The goal of the text would be a catchy headline (or some proposals for it) and a copy text. Narrow: The last step is to narrow the task down with precise instructions. You can define the text length, must-haves, if you use a corporate glossary, or no-gos to avoid wrong words or expressions.

These are the five steps of RISEN that help to create awesome results with AI. As you can see, good results are not achieved with a single sentence. Sometimes you have to write a thousand words to create 300 good words. And when you’re done with prompting and the result still sucks, you can still send the briefing to a professional copywriter. This is just a basic example but think of the possibilities. And maybe you need to write a cover letter for a CV? Get it done with AI.

Of course, sometimes you don’t even have an idea what you’re looking for and just need inspiration or someone to talk to. That’s also a way to go because in the end, it’s all about communication.