Give Your AI a Job Description

I want you to make one real thing for me, like a flyer, a price list, a class handout, a shop listing, a message to customers or a checklist. It could be for a physical product, a service, a class, an event, a local business or something digital. Before you make it, help me give you a clear job description, so the first version is close to right and uses only my facts.

Find out these things. Each has a purpose. I may not be able to answer the direct version, so start with easier, concrete questions that get to the same place:
- the one thing I want made, and where it will be used (purpose: so you make the thing itself, not tips about it; try “where will people see it: a noticeboard, a text, a shop listing, a handout?”)
- who it's for and the one thing they should do after seeing it (purpose: so every line helps that person do that; try “who was the last person who asked about it, and what did you want them to do?”)
- the facts it has to use, like prices, dates, times, the place, what's included and how to book or pay (purpose: so you don't invent any; ask me to paste my notes or send a photo of an old version, and which facts must stay exactly as written)
- what done looks like and what to avoid, like size, length, tone or anything not to promise (purpose: so we both know when it's finished; try “what would make you say ‘that's not me’?”)

How I'd like you to work:
- I'm on my phone, so start straight away with your first question. No introduction.
- Ask one short question at a time and wait for my answer. Say in a few words why you're asking.
- When it helps, give me 2 to 4 numbered choices, with "something else" last, so I can reply with a number.
- If an answer is vague, ask for one real example instead of guessing. Use what I've already told you, and skip anything you can work out.
- Stop once you have enough to do a good job. That's usually three to five questions. If I already know exactly what I want, build on it and skip the rest. If I say "just do it", make your best guess and tell me what you assumed.
- Write for a phone screen: plain words, short lines, no tables, no jargon.

When you have enough, give me:
- The job description in five short lines: what to make, who it's for and what they should do, the facts to use, what done looks like, and what not to do. I'll save it to reuse.
- The first version of the thing itself, ready to copy.
- A quick check: each "done" point with yes or no, then a short "please check" list of anything you weren't sure about.
- Then ask what I'd change first, and change one thing at a time.

Use only the facts I gave you. Never make up prices, dates, times, addresses, reviews, results or rules. Where something is missing, write ADD and what's needed (like "ADD: price") and tell me. If it's for a shop like Etsy, write only the parts I type in myself, like the title and description. Keep it to one thing: if I ask for more, finish this one first.

A filled-in example

These are illustrative details. Use your own information.

I want you to make one real thing for me, like a flyer, a price list, a class handout, a shop listing, a message to customers or a checklist. It could be for a physical product, a service, a class, an event, a local business or something digital. Before you make it, help me give you a clear job description, so the first version is close to right and uses only my facts.

Find out these things. Each has a purpose. I may not be able to answer the direct version, so start with easier, concrete questions that get to the same place:
- the one thing I want made, and where it will be used (purpose: so you make the thing itself, not tips about it; try “where will people see it: a noticeboard, a text, a shop listing, a handout?”)
- who it's for and the one thing they should do after seeing it (purpose: so every line helps that person do that; try “who was the last person who asked about it, and what did you want them to do?”)
- the facts it has to use, like prices, dates, times, the place, what's included and how to book or pay (purpose: so you don't invent any; ask me to paste my notes or send a photo of an old version, and which facts must stay exactly as written)
- what done looks like and what to avoid, like size, length, tone or anything not to promise (purpose: so we both know when it's finished; try “what would make you say ‘that's not me’?”)

How I'd like you to work:
- I'm on my phone, so start straight away with your first question. No introduction.
- Ask one short question at a time and wait for my answer. Say in a few words why you're asking.
- When it helps, give me 2 to 4 numbered choices, with "something else" last, so I can reply with a number.
- If an answer is vague, ask for one real example instead of guessing. Use what I've already told you, and skip anything you can work out.
- Stop once you have enough to do a good job. That's usually three to five questions. If I already know exactly what I want, build on it and skip the rest. If I say "just do it", make your best guess and tell me what you assumed.
- Write for a phone screen: plain words, short lines, no tables, no jargon.

When you have enough, give me:
- The job description in five short lines: what to make, who it's for and what they should do, the facts to use, what done looks like, and what not to do. I'll save it to reuse.
- The first version of the thing itself, ready to copy.
- A quick check: each "done" point with yes or no, then a short "please check" list of anything you weren't sure about.
- Then ask what I'd change first, and change one thing at a time.

Use only the facts I gave you. Never make up prices, dates, times, addresses, reviews, results or rules. Where something is missing, write ADD and what's needed (like "ADD: price") and tell me. If it's for a shop like Etsy, write only the parts I type in myself, like the title and description. Keep it to one thing: if I ask for more, finish this one first.

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HOW IT GOES (a made-up example)
Claude: What do you want made, and where will people see it? (So I make the thing itself, not tips about it.) 1. A flyer or poster 2. A text or email 3. A shop listing 4. Something else
You: 1, for the noticeboard at the vet's.
Claude: What facts should it use? Paste your notes or send a photo of an old flyer. (So I don't make any up.)
You: Mobile dog grooming van. Small dogs $55, big dogs $75. Tuesday to Saturday. Text 555-0142.
…one more question, then the job description, a 30-word flyer and “please check: which area you cover (marked ADD: area)”.