Write an AI prompt grounded in your source
Give an AI assistant your own source material and four clear instructions, so its answer sticks to what you supplied.
6 min · BeginnerRead guide
Content creation
One idea, more useful content
Start with a source you own and turn it into two short drafts in different formats, checked and ready for you to post by hand.
Before you start
What you’ll work toward
You will have two reviewed drafts built from one owned source, ready for you to publish manually.
What you’ll need
- One source you own, such as notes, a price list or a page from your website
- A notes app, a document or paper
- An AI assistant is optional. If you use one, a free or paid plan may be required depending on the tool
Cost
- No paid tool required. An AI assistant is optional and its cost depends on the tool you choose
Scope
- A manual walkthrough; nothing is posted, scheduled or connected for you
STEP 1 OF 4
Select the source and the audience
Choose one owned source and decide who the content is for.
- Pick one piece of material you own and are allowed to reuse.
- Write who will read the content and what problem they have.
- Write the one point you want the reader to take away.
Worked example. Source: my own notes on caring for a leather wallet. Audience: people who bought a wallet from me. Point: conditioning twice a year keeps leather from cracking.
Expected result
A source, an audience and a one-sentence point at the top of your page.
Check your work
Check that you could explain the point to the audience in one breath.
If something goes wrong
- If the source covers several topics, choose one section.
- If you do not own the material, find something of your own instead.
Read all steps
Select the source and the audience
Choose one owned source and decide who the content is for.
- Pick one piece of material you own and are allowed to reuse.
- Write who will read the content and what problem they have.
- Write the one point you want the reader to take away.
Worked example. Source: my own notes on caring for a leather wallet. Audience: people who bought a wallet from me. Point: conditioning twice a year keeps leather from cracking.
Expected result. A source, an audience and a one-sentence point at the top of your page.
Check your work. Check that you could explain the point to the audience in one breath.
If something goes wrong
- If the source covers several topics, choose one section.
- If you do not own the material, find something of your own instead.
Extract verified points
List three to five facts from the source that you can stand behind.
- Read the source and underline facts, steps and tips.
- Copy three to five onto a new list, one per line.
- Next to each, write where it came from in the source.
Worked example. 1. Clean with a dry cloth first (notes, line 2). 2. Use a small amount of conditioner (notes, line 4). 3. Let it dry away from direct heat (notes, line 5).
Expected result. A list of three to five points, each with its source noted.
Check your work. Every point should trace back to your source. Delete any that do not.
If something goes wrong
- If you have fewer than three points, pick a bigger section of the source.
Draft two formats
Write two short drafts from the same list of points.
- Choose two formats, such as a caption and a short email.
- Write each by hand, or use the prompt below with an assistant.
- Keep to your listed points and add nothing new.
- Mark both drafts “Draft, not reviewed”.
Worked example. Prompt: “Using only these three points, write a 50-word caption and a 120-word email for people who bought a wallet. Do not add facts.”
Expected result. Two drafts, each using only your listed points.
Check your work. Compare each draft with your point list. Anything not on the list must go.
If something goes wrong
- If an assistant adds claims, add “Do not add facts that are not in the list” to the prompt and run it again.
Review and prepare manually
Check both drafts and get them ready to post yourself.
- Check facts against your source.
- Check you have permission for any names, images or quotes.
- Read both aloud and adjust anything that does not sound like you.
- Open every link and add one clear next step.
- Save the final versions where you can find them.
Worked example. The caption mentioned “leather lasts a lifetime”, which is not in my notes. Removed. The email now ends with “Reply if you would like a care card.”
Expected result. Two final drafts, reviewed and ready for you to post by hand.
Check your work. Run the five checks from “Review AI content before publishing” on each draft.
If something goes wrong
- If you are short of time, review one draft properly rather than two quickly.