Did you know that the quality of your prompts in Microsoft Copilot directly impacts the responses you get? A prompt is essentially a set of instructions you give to Copilot, and the more detail you provide, the better the output. Here’s how you can master the art of prompting to get the most out of this powerful AI tool.
The Framework for Writing a Great Prompt:
☑️ State Your Goal: Clearly define what you want to achieve. Be specific about the task or outcome you’re aiming for.
Example: Instead of just saying, “I want marketing copy,” try “I need marketing copy for our new double chocolate chip cookie.”
☑️ Provide Context: Give Copilot the background it needs to understand the task. Mention any relevant details that could influence the response.
Example: “This is for an email campaign targeted at customers who have purchased from us before.”
☑️ Set Expectations: Specify the tone, style, or any other preferences you have. This helps tailor the response to your exact needs.
Example: “Use simple language that a fifth grader could understand and include some humor.”
☑️ Reference Resources: If you have specific documents, data, or templates that should be used, make sure to attach them or mention them in your prompt.
Example: “Use key differentiators from the attached document.”
Example in Action:
Imagine you need marketing copy for a product. Typing “I want marketing copy” might not get you far. But when you structure your prompt like this:
“I need marketing copy for the Kevin Cookie Company. Please highlight our new double chocolate chip cookie for an email campaign targeted at customers who have shopped with us before. Use simple language that a fifth grader could understand, include some humor, and keep it to no more than 200 words. Reference key differentiators from the attached document.”
—The results are much stronger and more aligned with your goals!
Pro Tip:
Your first prompt is just the beginning of a conversation with Copilot. Don’t be afraid to refine and iterate until you get exactly what you need. The more you experiment, the more you’ll see how Copilot can seamlessly integrate into your day-to-day workflow.
Start experimenting with your prompts and watch how Copilot becomes an invaluable tool in your productivity arsenal. The right prompt is the key to unlocking the full potential of this AI!
For those looking to dive deeper, Microsoft offers fantastic resources like the Copilot Lab and training courses tailored to various roles and functions—completely free. These are well worth checking out if you want to master Copilot in your everyday work.
Additional resources if you want to dive deeper:
🎯 Microsoft Copilot: https://copilot.microsoft.com
🎯 Copilot Lab by Microsoft: https://aka.ms/KS2_Lab
🎯 Copilot for Microsoft 365 Training: https://aka.ms/KS2_Training
Host: Kevin Stratvert
Kevin Stratvert 