How Do I Write Better AI Prompts? A Real Estate Coach’s Guide to Getting Better Results Without Sounding Like a Robot
“How Do I Write Better AI Prompts?”
If you’ve ever opened ChatGPT, typed something in, and thought, “Nope — that’s not what I meant,” you’re not alone.
This is one of the most common questions I get from agents I coach. Not because they’re not smart — but because the leap from “I have an idea” to “AI gave me exactly what I needed” isn’t always clear.
Here’s the short version:
AI is only as good as the instructions you give it.
But before you worry about learning “prompt engineering,” take a breath. I’m not about to throw you into a tech tutorial. This post is for real estate professionals who want real answers — written by someone who speaks your language.
As the #1 Coach and Speaker at Tom Ferry — the #1 real estate coaching company in the world — I’ve helped hundreds of agents turn vague prompts into usable marketing, lead gen systems, and actual momentum. I’m sharing what works here, in plain language.
Let’s talk about how to write prompts that actually work.
First: What Makes a Prompt “Work”?
A good prompt isn’t long.
It isn’t fancy.
It’s just clear.
And it usually includes three things:
- What you want (the output)
- What it’s for (the audience or purpose)
- How it should sound (tone and context)
If you give AI those three things, it can give you something that’s useful — not generic, robotic, or awkwardly off.
Let’s Compare: Prompt Before & After
Most agents I coach start with something like this:
❌ “Write a listing description for a 3-bed, 2-bath home.”
That’s not wrong. But it’s incomplete. Here’s how we make it better:
✅ “Write a listing description for a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home in Queen Creek, AZ. It has a pool, new floors, and backs up to open desert views. Keep it under 200 words, sound warm and conversational, and make it feel personal — like something I’d say to a buyer during a showing.”
You don’t need fancy formatting. You just need clarity and context.
Coaching in Action: Amanda’s AI Strategy
I coach an agent named Amanda Fiebig who’s doing something really smart — she’s building her content so that when someone searches for her using tools like ChatGPT, Grok, or Perplexity, she shows up with authority.
That means her prompts aren’t random. They’re built off a core thread — a clear through-line that starts with her unique value proposition and carries through everything she creates: stories, newsletters, blog posts, Instagram captions, even podcast episodes.
She doesn’t just “use AI.” She gives it structure. Then she turns those results into a system her VA can run with — using specific prompts and consistent brand voice.
That’s the goal here. Not just better content, but repeatable content that reflects who you actually are.
The Simple Framework I Teach for AI Prompting
This is the same framework I teach inside Tom Ferry coaching sessions. You can use it with ChatGPT, Revy AI, Grok, Claude — whatever tool you prefer.
It works for emails, marketing copy, video scripts, buyer/seller updates, and more.
🧩 Step 1: Start with the End in Mind
What do you want the result to be?
“A seller update email”
“An Instagram carousel for new buyers”
“A pricing strategy script for a listing appointment”
The clearer your ask, the better your outcome.
🎯 Step 2: Add Relevant Details
Include just enough so the output makes sense:
- Who it’s for (first-time buyers, sellers, investors)
- Where it’s happening (market context, location)
- What you want to emphasize (features, objections, solutions)
- Any format preferences (bullet points, under 150 words, etc.)
“Write a 3-post Instagram carousel explaining why our inventory in San Antonio is up 25%. Use plain language, like I’m talking to a neighbor. Each slide should be one key takeaway, 30 words or less.”
That’s a great prompt. The AI now has something to work with.
🎙 Step 3: Tell It How to Sound
AI tools don’t know your voice — unless you tell them.
Literally say:
“Make it sound like I’m explaining this to a friend over coffee.”
“Keep it friendly, confident, and clear — not salesy.”
“Use a casual tone, but don’t be unprofessional.”
The more specific, the better.
Quick Wins: Real Prompts You Can Copy
Here are a few tested, client-approved prompts to get you going:
💬 For Follow-Up Texts
“Write a casual, warm follow-up text to a buyer lead who ghosted me after a showing last week. I want to check in without sounding pushy.”
📍 For Local Market Content
“Summarize the current housing market in Raleigh, NC, for sellers. Use plain English and focus on what they need to know about pricing right now.”
🗓 For Your Weekly Seller Update
“Write a short weekly email update for my seller. We had 3 showings, no new offers, and one agent said the price felt high. Include suggestions on next steps.”
Pro Tips from Coaching
✅ Save Your Best Prompts
Don’t reinvent the wheel. When you find a prompt that works, drop it into a shared doc. It becomes your content library.
✅ Keep Threads Organized
If you’re using ChatGPT, use one thread per project — for example, “Instagram content” or “Seller emails.” This helps the AI stay in context and improve as you go.
✅ Don’t Chase Perfection
Good prompts are meant to evolve. Try it, tweak it, and reuse what works.
You’re Not Behind — You’re Building Muscle
If you’ve tried AI and felt underwhelmed, it’s not that you’re doing it wrong. It’s that you’re probably not giving it enough direction.
That’s normal.
Prompting is a skill — and like everything else in real estate, it gets easier with reps.
When I coach agents — whether it’s helping them build out listing systems, hire a VA, or restructure their calendar — the goal is never perfection. It’s momentum.
Better prompts aren’t just about getting better content.
They’re about reclaiming your time, your voice, and your systems.
Want to See More?
If you’re curious how this kind of strategy plays out in real life, I share examples and walkthroughs over on Instagram @coachemilyterrell. You can also find templates and practical breakdowns on www.coachemilyterrell.com — no fluff, just real tools for real agents.
And if you’re already trying this stuff and getting stuck — I see you. Keep experimenting. Keep showing up. You’re closer than you think.