7 effective ChatGPT prompt techniques that can help you work up to 40% faster

By Nancy Okijie,

The results speak for themselves. Research from MIT, published in Science, found that white-collar professionals using ChatGPT complete tasks 40% faster and deliver higher quality work than those who do not. What sets top performers apart is not simply writing a prompt and hoping for the best but using advanced AI prompt techniques for maximum impact.

Here are 7 effective ChatGPT prompt techniques that can help you work up to 40% faster by improving clarity, efficiency, and results when using AI:

1. Role-Based Prompting

What it is: Ask ChatGPT to take on a specific role (e.g., “act as a project manager,” “act as a UX designer”).

Why it helps: It sets expectations and gives context, leading to more accurate and relevant responses.

Example Prompt:

“You are a senior copywriter. Rewrite this paragraph to sound more persuasive for a sales page.”

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2. Context-Rich Prompting

What it is: Provide background information, objectives, and constraints upfront.

Why it helps: Better context leads to better answers, reducing the need for multiple revisions.

Example Prompt:

“I’m writing a blog post for beginner investors who are aged 20–35 and interested in ETFs. Can you suggest a simple outline and a compelling introduction?”

3. Step-by-Step Prompting (Chain of Thought)

What it is: Ask ChatGPT to break tasks into smaller, logical steps.

Why it helps: It avoids errors by making reasoning explicit and encourages better structure.

Example Prompt:

“Let’s solve this step by step. First, outline the problem, then suggest three possible solutions with pros and cons.”

4. Iterative Prompting

What it is: Start with a rough request and refine it over several back-and-forths.

Why it helps: Fast feedback loops allow you to quickly narrow in on high-quality output.

Example Workflow:

“Write a summary of this article.”
“Can you make it more concise and highlight the key stat in the second paragraph?”

5. Output Format Prompting

What it is: Specify the exact structure or format you want the answer in (e.g., bullets, table, JSON, script, etc.).

Why it helps: Saves formatting time and makes the response immediately usable.

Example Prompt:

“Summarize this report into a table with columns: Topic, Insight, Action Item.”

6. Time-Saving Reuse with Custom Instructions or Templates

What it is: Create reusable prompt templates or use the “Custom Instructions” feature in ChatGPT.

Why it helps: You don’t have to rewrite your prompts every time, and it maintains consistency.

Example Template:

“You are my research assistant. Every time I give you a topic, return:

1. Summary 
2. Key stats 
3. “3 actionable takeaways.”
   

7. Constraint-Based Prompting

What it is: Add clear limits or rules to your prompts (e.g., word count, tone, format, audience).

Why it helps: Forces ChatGPT to deliver results that are ready to use or publish.

Example Prompt:

“Write a LinkedIn post under 150 words, in a casual but professional tone, targeting freelance designers.”