5 Common Prompting Mistakes to Avoid

After analyzing millions of prompts, these are the errors we see most often—and how to fix them.

Mistake #1: Being Too Vague

The Problem

"Write something good about AI"

The Fix

"Write a 200-word LinkedIn post about how AI is changing the marketing industry in 2026. Include one specific example and end with a question to encourage engagement."

Why It Works

Specificity gives the AI constraints to work within, leading to more focused, useful output.

Mistake #2: No Examples

The Problem

"Format this data nicely"

The Fix

Format this data like the example below:

Example Input: John, 25, Engineer
Example Output: 
Name: John
Age: 25
Profession: Engineer
---

Now format this: Sarah, 30, Designer

Why It Works

Examples are worth thousands of words of instructions.

Mistake #3: Ignoring the Role

The Problem

"Explain quantum computing"

The Fix

"You are a physics teacher known for making complex topics accessible. Explain quantum computing to a curious 12-year-old using everyday analogies."

Why It Works

Role-setting dramatically changes vocabulary, depth, and approach.

Mistake #4: Not Iterating

The Problem

Accepting the first output and moving on.

The Fix

Build iteration into your workflow:

1. Generate initial output
2. Identify what's missing or wrong
3. Refine your prompt
4. Regenerate and compare

Why It Works

Great prompts are refined, not written.

Mistake #5: Context Dumping

The Problem

Pasting entire documents without direction.

The Fix

Context: [brief relevant excerpt]

Task: Based on the context above, [specific task]

Focus on: [what to prioritize]
Ignore: [what to skip]

Why It Works

Guided context helps the AI focus on what matters.

Quick Reference

Start Improving Today

Pick one mistake you make often and consciously fix it in your next 10 prompts. Building good habits one at a time creates lasting improvement.