🧩 The 6 Things Claude Needs Before It Writes Anything

^{You're reading the free version – upgrade to premium}

One of the biggest mistakes I see people make with Claude is that they open a chat, type something like “write me a blog post about productivity," then they get a generic 1,000-word article that sounds like every other AI-generated article on the internet.

So they try again: "Make it better."

Still generic.

"Make it more engaging."

Slightly better.

"Make it sound professional."

Now it sounds like a corporate brochure.

And eventually they conclude:

"Claude just isn't that good."

But that's usually not the problem.

The problem is that you've given Claude almost nothing to work with. The difference between a mediocre AI prompt and a powerful one is often context.

So let's build a framework you can use for almost anything you ask Claude to create.

Example:

"I run an e-commerce brand selling yoga mats to beginners and intermediate practitioners. We've noticed that many customers struggle to choose the right mat thickness, material, and texture. I want to educate potential buyers before they make a purchase."

Now Claude understands the environment.

It knows:

Example:

"The audience is Amazon sellers doing between $20,000 and $100,000 per month who already understand basic PPC but struggle to turn advertising data into profitable growth. They are experienced enough to understand metrics like ACoS and ROAS, but they don't have a sophisticated PPC team."

Now Claude can make much better decisions. It knows what the reader already understands.

It knows what they don't need explained.

And it knows what problems are likely to get their attention.

Example:

"The objective is not simply to educate the reader. I want them to recognize that their current campaign structure is limiting their growth and become interested in learning more about our PPC management service."

Example:

"Keep the article between 1,500 and 2,000 words. Do not use corporate jargon. Don't make exaggerated claims. Don't repeat the same point in different words. Avoid generic introductions like 'In today's fast-paced world.' Use practical examples throughout. Do not make the content sound like an advertisement."

Now Claude knows what success looks like.

This is particularly useful when you already know what you don't want. 

And don't be afraid to be specific. The more clearly you define your boundaries, the easier it is for Claude to stay inside them.

Example:

"Here is an email I've written that represents the tone and structure I want. Analyze it and use it as a style reference for the new email."

Then paste your previous email.

You can also give examples of specific things you like.

For example:

"I like how this example opens with a surprising observation, explains the problem through a real scenario, then gives three practical steps. Use a similar structural approach, but do not copy the wording."

Now Claude has something concrete to work from.

Example:

"Write in a direct, conversational style. I want to sound like an experienced entrepreneur explaining something to another entrepreneur over coffee. Use longer, natural sentences rather than short fragments. Be confident but not arrogant. Teach before selling. Use specific examples rather than generic claims."

Now you've given Claude something actionable.

And if you have previous writing that sounds like you? Even better.

Give Claude 2–3 examples and say:

"Use these as references for my voice. Identify recurring patterns in sentence structure, vocabulary, tone, and how I explain ideas. Preserve those characteristics in the new piece."

AI doesn't magically know what you mean. It works with the information you give it.

Generic input → generic output.

Specific input → specific output.

Once you start thinking this way, you can apply the same principle far beyond Claude, because…

Think about how many sellers approach listing creation. They give an AI tool a product name and a few features and say:

"Write me a product listing."

The result?

Generic copy that could belong to almost any competitor.

A strong marketplace listing needs context too. The more context you provide, the more strategically useful your listing becomes.

That's why ListingApe is built around turning your product information into marketplace-ready listings rather than simply asking AI to "write a description."

If you want to put this principle into practice and create stronger listings for your products, you can try ListingApe and get 3 listings for free.

💡 Never miss out on important updates from the AI world:

1. Meeting note-taker Circleback adds a free tier to attract more customers (source)

Circleback launched a free tier (unlimited transcription, 30-day history) after a limited trial period caused user drop-off — paid plans now start at $15/month for full features. The company is profitable, doing roughly $8M ARR with just eight employees, and says it isn't currently seeking funding despite investor interest.

2.2. Google’s AI Mode can now track flight prices, help book hotels, and more (source)

The article highlights five companies—Duolingo, Salesforce, Klarna, Harvey, and Adobe—winning with AI by using it to build entirely new products and business models rather than just cutting costs, from Duolingo's AI-powered roleplay lessons to Harvey's democratized legal expertise. 

🔐 Still on the free version of our newsletter?

Premium subscribers are already getting next-level insights, viral content prompts, and AI-driven strategies.
Upgrade now for just $4.95/month and stay ahead in the digital landscape.

Unlock the VIP secret! Share our awesome newsletter with 2 friends using the button below, and when they sign up, you'll become a VIP with exclusive access to a super special tip with every email! 🌟

{{rp_personalized_text}}

Or copy and paste this link to others: {{rp_refer_url}}