Power Prompting: Secret AI Hacks that Deliver Superhuman Results

Ever feel like your AI results are just “meh”? Want to amp them up like a prompting pro? Here are some secret prompts from the pros that will take your AI results to the next level. Try these out, they’re like prompting on steroids. Instead of merely responding to you, it makes AI make your prompts better, and better prompts means better results.

Let say you’re working on a blog post. First you need to get the content right. You can do this by asking AI “What are my blindspots? What am I missing?” or you can ask it to provide the best arguments against your points, to make sure you have the right content and you’ve supported your perspective. Then you can have AI rewrite it to make it persuasive “Use the techniques of Robert Cialdini the persuasion professional to make my post more persuasive.” But then you need to to appeal to SEO so you might add to that quote: “...and optimize it for SEO”. You also want it to go viral so you add: “...and structure it to go viral on X and tell me who I should copy on the post.” What your doing is providing guidance that enables the AI model to be all it can be. By the end, you'll be prompting like a pro, and trust me, your results will skyrocket.

Why Power Prompting is Your New Superpower

Bottom-line: generic prompts get generic answers. But with power prompting, you add layers, specificity, reflection, personas, that force AI to level up. It's like upgrading from a bicycle to a Ferrari. As Balaji Srinivasan recently posted on X, AI is the "middle-middle"; it requires humans on both sides to get the most out of it. Power prompting embodies this by empowering you to craft precise inputs and critically verify outputs, turning AI into a true amplifier of human intelligence. Ready to dominate? Let's roll.

The Ultimate Prompt Arsenal: Categorized for Epic Wins

I've grouped these into battle-tested categories. Each prompt comes with a quick "Power Boost" note on how it refines your AI results. Copy-paste them into your next chat and watch the magic unfold. Pro tip: Mix and match for combo attacks. Share your own power prompts, we’re all in learning mode.

Specificity Boosters: Drill Down for Laser-Sharp Details

Tired of vague answers? These make AI get granular, turning "tell me about X" into a masterclass.

• "Be 100 times more specific in your explanation, breaking down each concept into granular steps with examples."
  Power Boost: Eliminates fluff, delivers step-by-step gold with real examples for deeper understanding.
• "Provide a detailed breakdown, including definitions, pros, cons, and real-world applications for each element."
  Power Boost: Balances info with practicality, making responses actionable and comprehensive.
• "Expand on this topic by including historical context, key figures, and statistical data where relevant."
  Power Boost: Adds layers of context, turning basic facts into engaging stories backed by data.
• "Describe the process in exhaustive detail, as if explaining to a complete novice, with visuals or analogies."
  Power Boost: Simplifies complex ideas with analogies, perfect for beginners or visual learners.
• "List all variables involved and quantify them where possible, using metrics and benchmarks."
  Power Boost: Quantifies the qualitative, ideal for data-driven decisions and measurable insights.

Hallucination Reducers: Ground AI in Reality – No More Made-Up Nonsense

AI sometimes invents stuff (we're working on it). These prompts lock it down to facts only. Note: when I really need “just the facts” like a legal argument with citations, I’ll create it in one AI and then ask another AI to check all legal citations.

• "Base your answer solely on established facts and cite reliable sources for each claim."
  Power Boost: Builds trust with citations, slashing errors and boosting credibility.
• "Verify your response against known data and flag any uncertainties or assumptions."
  Power Boost: Highlights gaps, encouraging honest, self-aware replies.
• "Respond only with information you are confident about; if unsure, state 'I don't know' and suggest where to look."
  Power Boost: Prevents BS, guiding you to better resources for complete accuracy.
• "Cross-check your facts internally and explain your reasoning step by step to avoid errors."
  Power Boost: Transparent logic reveals how answers form, reducing sneaky hallucinations.
• "Limit your answer to peer-reviewed or widely accepted knowledge, avoiding speculation."
  Power Boost: Sticks to proven info, great for research or professional use.

Reflection Prompts: Make AI Your Mirror – Challenge, Confirm, and Evolve

Want AI to poke holes in your thinking? These turn chats into therapy sessions for ideas.

• "What are my blind spots in this query, and what am I potentially missing?"
  Power Boost: Uncovers hidden angles, sparking breakthroughs you didn't see coming.
• "Describe it back to me in your own words to confirm understanding."
  Power Boost: Ensures alignment, catching miscommunications early.
• "Reflect on your previous response: What could be improved, and why?"
  Power Boost: Self-improves AI outputs, leading to refined, iterative excellence.
• "Analyze this from multiple perspectives, including opposing viewpoints."
  Power Boost: Fosters balanced debates, reducing bias in your decisions.
• "Question your own assumptions in this answer and explain how they might influence it."
  Power Boost: Promotes critical thinking, making responses more nuanced.
• "Challenge my assumptions in this query by providing counterarguments and alternative viewpoints."
  Power Boost: Shakes up echo chambers, delivering fresh, provocative insights.

Completeness Enhancers: Cover Every Angle – No Stone Left Unturned

For when "everything" means EVERYTHING. These fill gaps like a boss.

• "Tell me what additional information would improve your response and why."
  Power Boost: Guides follow-ups, turning one prompt into a knowledge quest.
• "Cover all possible scenarios, including edge cases and exceptions."
  Power Boost: Preps for real-world messiness, making plans foolproof.
• "Include a full timeline, prerequisites, and follow-up actions in your explanation."
  Power Boost: Structures info chronologically, ideal for projects or histories.
• "Provide a holistic overview, integrating related topics and interdisciplinary connections."
  Power Boost: Connects dots across fields, unlocking innovative synergies.

Iterative Refiners: Decent Response, Now Make it Better

One-shot wonders? Nah. These build progressively for polished perfection.

• "Build on your last response by adding more depth and addressing any weaknesses."
  Power Boost: Evolves answers dynamically, like a conversation upgrade.
• "Refine this answer iteratively: First draft, then revise for clarity and accuracy."
  Power Boost: Mimics human editing, yielding crisp, error-free results.
• "Ask me clarifying questions to enhance the quality of your next response."
  Power Boost: Turns passive chats into interactive goldmines.
• "Evolve your explanation step by step, incorporating feedback from hypothetical critiques."
  Power Boost: Anticipates objections, strengthening arguments preemptively.
• "Summarize the key points, then expand on the weakest one for better balance."
  Power Boost: Balances coverage, ensuring no weak links.
• "Create a numbered list of recommendations, starting with the highest priority first, and explain the ranking criteria."
  Power Boost: Streamlines decisions with clear hierarchies.

Persona Adoption Prompts: Channel Legends for Next-Level Insights

Why settle for generic AI? Make it embody experts for tailored genius.

• "You are Steve Jobs, the visionary founder of Apple. Respond to this idea by critiquing its innovation potential and suggesting ways to make it revolutionary."
  Power Boost: Infuses bold, disruptive thinking for inspirational upgrades.
• "Act as Marie Curie, the pioneering physicist and chemist. Explain this scientific concept using analogies from your own discoveries and emphasize perseverance in research."
  Power Boost: Adds historical flair and motivation to technical explanations.
• "You are Sun Tzu, the ancient Chinese military strategist from 'The Art of War.' Analyze this business strategy and provide tactical advice on outmaneuvering competitors."
  Power Boost: Delivers timeless strategy with concise, tactical wisdom.
• "Embody Elon Musk and brainstorm solutions starting from first principles and explaining each step."
  Power Boost: Provides the explanation for how you get to the right idea.
• "You are a seasoned negotiation expert like Chris Voss from 'Never Split the Difference.' Guide me through persuading someone in this scenario, using labeled questions and empathy tactics."
  Power Boost: Arms you with pro persuasion tools for real-world wins.

Style Imitation and Optimization Prompts: Craft for Virality, SEO, and Fun

Want outputs that pop? These tweak style for platforms, audiences, or goals.

• "Format this content as a viral X thread: Start with a hook, use numbered points, emojis, and end with a call-to-action to encourage shares."
  Power Boost: Boosts engagement on socials, turning content into share magnets.
• "Optimize this article for SEO: Incorporate target keywords naturally, use H2/H3 headings, bullet points, and suggest meta descriptions."
  Power Boost: Skyrockets search visibility and user-friendliness.
• "Write this in the style of a TED Talk speaker like Simon Sinek: Begin with 'why,' build emotional connection, and use simple stories to illustrate points."
  Power Boost: Makes ideas motivational and relatable for audiences.
• "Craft this message in the humorous, sarcastic style of Deadpool: Witty one-liners, breaking the fourth wall, and pop culture references."
  Power Boost: Adds entertainment value, perfect for viral, fun content.

Level Up Your Life with Power Prompting – What's Next

There you have it, your cheat code that will elevate you to AI mastery. In future blog posts I’ll take some of these same concepts and tailor them for specific use cases that I personally use (like the blog post example above). The concepts are the same, but the results are even more focused on certain functions. In the meantime, let me know if you have any prompts that squeeze superior results from your favorite AI.