Using generative AI tools might seem difficult in the beginning, but the concept is simple enough that with enough practice you should be able to figure it out in a short amount of time. When writing a prompt into any generative AI program, there are four main areas to consider:

1. Persona
2. Task
3. Context
4. Format

Essentially you want to let the program know who you are or who your audience is, what you need from the program, why you’re asking for this information, and how you want it formatted. For example, if you wanted help writing an email reminding a resident their rent is past due you might write something like this:

I’m a property manager (persona) and I need help writing an email (task) to remind residents their rent is more than 30 days overdue and if they don’t pay within the next week they will incur a late fee (context) and provide a list of different payment methods we offer (format).

Other tips to consider include, be sure to write the prompt the same way you would talk to a person, don’t be vague, don’t be afraid to iterate, don’t be too wordy. The key is treat it the same way you would if you were collaborating with another human. Have a conversation with the program until you get what you want.

The average successful prompt is 21 words. Most people starting out think prompts need to be shorter than that. What you need to do is find the sweet spot between being too verbose and too vague. When you get there, you’ll have mastered the art of writing a prompt. But if you do struggle in the beginning, don’t be afraid to ask the program for help because that’s what it’s there for.

It might be frustrating if you’re not getting the expected results on your first attempt. Don’t be afraid to iterate. Most generative AI tools let you edit the prompt, so keep trying until you get something that feels right to you. By refining your prompts you’re helping to improve the overall AI model as well. Additionally, one thing you might not have considered, is you can upload images to provide context to the program, so make sure you’re using everything available to you in your arsenal.

Finally, It’s important to remember that AI isn’t here to replace humans. AI doesn’t have feelings or compassion and isn’t always free of bias. That’s why you should employ the concept of trust but verify with any content that is created by AI. Make sure that all content is given a read through and edit before hitting send.

Learn more

Learn more about how generative AI tools from Entrata can increase efficiency at your properties while improving the resident experience by requesting a demo today. For more information about how AI is being used in the multifamily industry in our latest ebook, AI and Resident Communication for Multifamily Businesses.

*Prompting guide 101 | A quick-start handbook for effective prompts (Google link)