Unlock AI’s Power with CREATE: Your Shortcut to Smarter Solutions

As a business owner, you know the value of clear communication. Whether you’re managing a team, developing strategies, or solving problems, precision is key.

That’s why, when it comes to working with AI, success starts with knowing how to ask. Enter the CREATE framework—a simple yet powerful tool to help you unlock AI’s full potential for your business.

CREATE stands for Context, Role, Examples, Actionable Tasks, Tone/Format, and Expand/Iterate. Let me break it down for you.

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1. Context: Set the Stage

AI needs to understand the “what” and “why” of your business challenge. Without context, its responses will be vague.

Example:

• Vague Prompt: “How do I grow my business?”
  • Response: “Focus on marketing and improving customer service.”
• Clear Context: “I own a flower shop specializing in wedding arrangements. How can I attract more engaged couples during peak wedding season?”
  • Response:
    1. “Create a ‘Wedding Flowers Inspiration’ guide and promote it on your website.”
    2. “Partner with local wedding planners to showcase your work.”
    3. “Offer discounts for early bookings.”

Tip: The more details you provide—your industry, audience, and goals—the better AI can help.

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2. Role: Define AI’s Expertise

Think of AI as a virtual consultant. Defining its role sharpens its focus and improves the relevance of its suggestions.

Example:

• Without a Role: “How can I improve customer loyalty?”
  • Response: “Offer better rewards.”
• With a Role: “Act as a customer retention expert. Provide three creative strategies to improve loyalty for a local coffee shop.”
  • Response:
    1. “Launch a rewards program where customers earn points for every purchase.”
    2. “Host exclusive events for loyal customers, like coffee tasting sessions.”
    3. “Send personalized thank-you emails with special offers.”

Tip: Assign roles like “marketing strategist,” “operations guru,” or “financial advisor” for targeted results.

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3. Examples: Clarify with Specifics

Providing examples gives AI a blueprint for the kind of output you’re looking for.

Example Prompt:
“Act as a marketing strategist. Suggest three ways to increase sales for a handmade jewelry business. For example, a boutique could increase sales by hosting pop-up events.”

AI will follow your lead, delivering solutions that align with your expectations.

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4. Actionable Tasks and Tone: Be Clear and Direct

Clear instructions lead to actionable insights. Adding tone and format preferences ensures the response matches your style.

Example:

• Prompt: “Provide a 5-step plan to increase holiday sales for a bakery. Use a professional tone and present the response as bullet points.”
  • Response:
    1. “Create a festive holiday menu featuring seasonal items like gingerbread cookies and peppermint brownies.”
    2. “Run social media ads showcasing behind-the-scenes baking footage.”
    3. “Host a holiday cookie decorating workshop for families.”
    4. “Offer free gift wrapping for purchases over $50.”
    5. “Send personalized emails with holiday discounts to your subscriber list.”

Tip: Be specific about the task and how you want the response delivered.

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5. Expand or Iterate: Refine and Perfect

The first response is rarely the best. Don’t be afraid to refine your prompts or ask follow-up questions.

Example:

• Original Prompt: “How can I market my fitness studio?”
  • Response: “Run ads and offer promotions.”
• Refined Prompt: “Suggest three low-cost marketing strategies for my fitness studio targeting young professionals in January.”
  • Response:
    1. “Launch a social media challenge promoting fitness goals.”
    2. “Partner with local cafes to cross-promote services.”
    3. “Offer referral discounts to current members.”

Tip: Iteration turns good ideas into great ones.

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Final Thoughts:
The CREATE framework is your shortcut to smarter, more actionable AI solutions. By crafting thoughtful prompts, you can transform AI into a reliable assistant that saves you time and delivers results tailored to your business.

Ready to see CREATE in action? Hit reply and share one business challenge you’re facing. I’ll help you craft the perfect prompt to unlock AI’s full potential!

Here’s to smarter strategies, simpler solutions, and a successful year ahead!