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Find your point before you write the post.

Use five questions to turn a broad topic into a clear message for a specific reader.

KKeith Rumjahn·4 min read·Free
EXAMPLE OUTPUT · ILLUSTRATIVE

One topic becomes one clear point.

THE STARTING POINT

I want to write about AI for freelancers.

A MORE USEFUL RESULT

Before you discuss price, use AI to check whether your proposal actually explains the client’s problem.

Reader
A freelance designer preparing a proposal.
Next action
Rewrite the opening paragraph around the client’s needs.
An editorial example of the short writing brief this interview helps you create.

You can have a topic without having a point. “AI for business” is a topic. “Start by automating the weekly report you already understand” is a point someone can respond to. This exercise helps you work out what you want to say before asking AI to write it.

YOU’LL WALK AWAY WITH

A short writing brief: one reader, one problem, one point, and one next step.

An AI assistant · your own context and examples

01 / Bring a question you care about

Start with a messy idea, an observation from your work, or a belief you want to examine. You do not need a polished headline. Give the assistant the topic and a sentence about why it matters to you.

Keep the scope small enough for one piece of writing. If you want to discuss how AI changes everything, choose one situation: a shop owner answering enquiries, a parent planning a trip, or a freelancer preparing a proposal.

02 / Answer one question at a time

The prompt works as an interview. It asks about the problem, the person experiencing it, the benefit, the emotion, and the action you want to encourage. Let it challenge a vague answer instead of rushing to a draft.

If a question feels irrelevant, redirect the conversation. Your role is to supply the judgment and experience; the assistant helps make the gaps visible.

03 / A small example

Example topic: using AI to write proposals. A more focused brief might be: “Help freelance designers write a project summary that shows they understood the client before they discuss price.”

The intended reader is a freelance designer. The problem is a proposal that sounds generic. The benefit is a clearer description of the client’s needs. The next action is to rewrite one opening paragraph. This is an illustrative brief, not a claim about conversion results.

READY TO MAKE IT YOURS?

Get the exact prompt.
Make it your own.

You’ve seen how it works. Unlock the copyable prompt and the remaining steps to try it yourself.

  • Copy the interview prompt
  • Turn the conversation into a brief
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