📝 Three of my Top LLM Writing Hacks
Out of the arsenal of tricks I’ve built in the last few years, today I wanted to share three of the biggest LLM writing prompts that help me the most.
There’s an art to writing an incredible prompt.
The challenge of nailing an LLM’s output is something I love working in, crafting and tuning because of how the smallest change can create the largest gain. Mix in the uniqueness of various models, creativity scales, tuning and it can become either an absolutely mess or a beautiful symphony of words.
But there are three pretty common things I do most all the time to “bring it in” and make things more human and readable.. and here they are:
1) Ninth grade writing level. How many times have you felt like copy that should be easy to read was speaking “down” to you? Typically it’s not the AI creator’s fault, they’re using ‘smart’ words.. yet most of the time we write in a more basic linguistic method. Kind of like this paragraph.. let’s be honest, it wouldn’t pass a dissertation review, but I’ll be damned if it’s not easy on the eyes, right? Try the following prompt below to get your LLM to write simply and at a ‘ninth-grade’ reading level:
Write your output in a ninth-grade [spoken word / written word] grade level avoiding clichés, removing unnecessary phrases and keeping to intermediate language sentence structures. 2) Speak as an authoritative friend. Nailing the writing style with LLMs is nuanced, and how can we expect it to understand the intent of the copy it’s creating for us? The next favorite way I get it to produce copy I love is to have it “speak as an authoritative friend”. What’s happening here is you’re mixing a ninth-grade output with the fact you’re speaking friendly but from a place of authority:
When creating your output become and expert authority who speaks as a friend to the reader. You're approaching this as a conversation, not a monologue where you share your output from a place of kind, clear thinking as if a friend who is knowledgeable on the subject is sharing their insights with another friend whom is eager to understand your position. and finally, to bring in the heavy hitter..
3) Get rid of the fluff. Copy and paste the following prompt to remove the “delves”, “game changers” and “harness” a little less than normal..
Never use any of the following words or phrases for any of your output unless you are explicitly quoting someone or something else in your output:game-changer, game-changing, dive in, deep dive, let's dive, delve, unleash, mystify, demystify, unveil, revolutionize, Revolutionizing, enlightening, unparalleled, exhilarating, electrifying, meticulous, meticulously, navigating, complexities, realm, bespoke, tailored, towards, underpins, ever-changing, ever-evolving, the world of, not only, seeking more than just, designed to enhance, it’s not merely, our suite, it is advisable, daunting, in the heart of, when it comes to, in the realm of, amongst unlock the secrets, unveil the secrets, mind-blowing, mind-blown, demystifying, ponder, harnessing, harness, transformativeAdditionally exclude all singular, plural, collective or uncountable form, partitive form, verb forms, gerund or present participle form, adjectival forms, possessive form, variations for tenses, diminutive or casual forms of these words as well.Give it a shot.
Open a new LLM window and type “write an opinion piece on [topic]” and hit enter. The output is going to read horrible and I bet you a coffee you’ll probably cringe.
Now open a new tab, do the same but copy and paste all three of my prompts just below it and you be the judge.
These three are just a few of the many I’ve built into https://bara.ai 🔗 and a small part of why it’s so good when it comes to the output we generate for our Podcast & Agency customers. If you have a show, or are looking for expert workflows to be created for you business, leave a comment and let me know – I’d love to demo more of how this incredible tech is ready for you today.
– Jim’s learning corner 😎
💰 The Ripple Effect of AI Investments
Have you ever thought about how the big players in tech influence the entire industry, especially when it comes to AI?
Over the past few months, I’ve been closely watching how companies like Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta Platforms are making substantial investments in artificial intelligence. Their decisions aren’t just headlines—they have a profound impact on the market, especially for companies like Nvidia.
Key Facts:
- 🔋 Surging Demand: There’s an incredible appetite for AI chips among tech giants.
- 💰 Record Investments: Major companies are pouring billions into capital expenses.
- 📈 Market Movements: Nvidia’s performance is closely tied to these investments.
So here’s the facts: Nvidia, a name we’re all familiar with in the AI hardware space, has seen its stock soar this year—up by an insane 186% in 2024 alone. This isn’t just a random spike. It’s closely linked to how much these tech giants are spending on AI technology.
Think about this for a moment.
Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta are expected to invest a combined $56 billion in capital expenses in the third quarter alone. That’s a record amount! These investments translate to real demand for AI chips—chips that Nvidia specializes in.
What’s even more wild is that these four companies accounted for over 40% of Nvidia’s sales in the second quarter. That’s nearly half of their revenue coming from just a handful of clients. This kind of dependency can be both exciting and a bit unsettling.
Now, you can of course say, “Why should I care about Nvidia’s stock or these tech giants’ spending habits?”.
Easy.
This story highlights how interconnected the tech ecosystem is.
If you’re running a business—or thinking of starting one—the innovations and investments of these large companies can create ripples that reach you.
For example, Nvidia’s new Blackwell chips are set to be used in AI servers by companies like Dell Technologies. This means more advanced AI capabilities becoming accessible across various industries & moving into the consumer world, not just reserved for billion-dollar data-centers.
Here’s the question to consider: How might these advancements in AI hardware open new opportunities in your field?
Whether you’re in healthcare, finance, education, or any other sector, AI is becoming increasingly integrated into the tools and services we use every day. Understanding these trends can help you stay ahead of the curve.
It’s also a reminder of the importance of adaptability.
As this tech evolves, so do the possibilities for innovation. Are there ways you can leverage AI to enhance your products or services?
I believe staying informed about these developments isn’t just interesting—it’s essential. It allows us to make strategic decisions, identify new opportunities, and perhaps even anticipate shifts in the market before they happen.
This is why we’re here.
🤖 AI and Mental Health
People are increasingly turning to AI chatbots like ChatGPT for mental health support, raising important questions about efficacy and safety.
Key Facts:
- 🩺 Growing Reliance on AI: Many are using AI for mental health due to therapist shortages.
- ⚠️ Concerns Arise: There’s uncertainty about how effective and safe AI is in this sensitive role.
- 🌐 Accessibility Matters: AI offers global support but brings privacy issues.
The cross between AI and mental health is a space that’s both promising and complex. With a shortage of human therapists, it’s no surprise that individuals are seeking alternatives. AI chatbots like ChatGPT have stepped in to fill some of these gaps.
I’ll be honest with you, I’ve used ChatGPT for multi-hour-long chats to get out of my head too. I mean, we use the tools we have, right?
These chatbots can offer modules in cognitive behavioral therapy, psychoeducation, and mindfulness. For someone who might not have access to traditional therapy—due to location, cost, or stigma—this can be a seriously valuable resource.
But here’s where it gets tricky.
Mental health is deeply personal and nuanced. While AI can simulate conversation and provide certain types of guidance, it lacks the human touch—the empathy and understanding that come from shared human experience.
There’s also the matter of privacy. Sharing personal thoughts and feelings with a chatbot means trusting that your data is secure. Unfortunately, data breaches and privacy violations are real concerns in the digital age.
So, what does this mean for us?
If you’re considering AI as a tool for mental health support, it’s essential to weigh the benefits against the risks. Ask yourself:
- Is this tool secure?
- Can it provide the level of support I need?
- Are there human professionals I can access instead?
For businesses in the tech space, this represents both an opportunity and a responsibility. Developing AI tools that prioritize user privacy and understand their limitations is crucial. Perhaps more importantly, integrating these tools with human support can create a more holistic approach to mental wellness.
What are your thoughts on using AI for such personal matters? It’s a conversation worth having as we navigate the balance between technological advancement and human connection.
🌿 AI’s E-Waste Challenge
The rapid growth of generative AI is set to massively increase electronic waste, posing significant environmental challenges.
Key Facts:
- ♻️ E-Waste Surge: AI could generate e-waste equivalent to 10 billion iPhones per year by 2030.
- ⚡ Hardware Demands: Generative AI requires frequent hardware upgrades.
- 🌍 Sustainability Concerns: Only 17% of global e-waste is properly recycled.
As we see the incredible capabilities of AI, there’s an environmental cost that often goes unnoticed. Generative AI systems demand substantial computing power, which in turn leads to a cycle of constant hardware upgrades and replacements.
By 2030, it’s projected that e-waste production will reach 75 million metric tons annually. To put that into perspective, that’s like throwing away 10 billion iPhones every year!
The troubling part is that only 17% of this e-waste is documented to be collected and properly recycled. The rest ends up in landfills, contributing to pollution and wasting valuable materials like gold, palladium, silver, and copper—worth an estimated $60 billion.
So, what can we do about this? For businesses leveraging AI, considering the environmental impact is becoming increasingly important. This might mean:
- Investing in more energy-efficient hardware.
- Supporting or developing recycling programs for old equipment.
- Exploring cloud-based options that optimize resource use.
And on a personal level, we can be mindful of how we use technology, support companies with sustainable practices, and advocate for better e-waste management policies.
It’s a collective challenge but also an opportunity to innovate.
💡 Did you know: I use AI to translate my show in eleven languages? 🔗
