AI 101: Prompt Like a Pro
The TTC Standard
At FAIR HIVE, we use a simple framework to make AI work for us: TTC.
Task: What do you want AI to do? Be specific and direct.
Tone: How should it sound? Professional, bold, playful?
Context: Who is it for, and why does it matter? Give background so the AI understands the needed output.
Most people throw in a one-line prompt and wonder why the result falls flat. TTC is how you sharpen your prompts when you’re a beginner.
TTC Pro Tips
Task: Don’t say “fix this.” Say, “rewrite this to sound more confident in under 150 words.”
Tone: You can ask for multiple tones and compare. For example, “give me one formal, one casual.”
Context: Don’t skip this part. The same message can land very differently depending on who’s reading it.
Another trick: tell AI to act like something. “Act like a travel advisor.” “Act like a hiring manager.” “Act like a nutrition coach.” It will shape the response in ways you wouldn’t get otherwise.
Example Prompts - See TTC in Action
Example 1: Trip Planning Help
Task: Create a 2-day itinerary
Tone: Fun and light
Context: I’m going to Nashville with friends who love music and food
Prompt:
“Create a 2-day itinerary for Nashville. The tone should be fun and light. The context is that I’m traveling with friends who love music and food.”
Example 2: Recipe Help
The situation: Quick Dinner Idea.
Task: Suggest an easy dinner recipe with under 6 ingredients
Tone: Simple and approachable
Context: I’m cooking for one and don’t want leftovers
Prompt:
“Suggest an easy dinner recipe with under 6 ingredients. The tone should be simple and approachable. The context is that I’m cooking for one person and don’t want leftovers.”
Why TTC Works
AI isn’t magic. It’s prediction. The clearer the instructions, the better the output. TTC keeps you from being vague and puts you in control of the results.
This week, try TTC in one of your prompts. Pick a task, choose a tone, add context, and see how much sharper the response feels.