The Australian Retailer’s Guide to AI Prompting
newsXpress • Practical guidance for independent retailers
NOTE: Ai use is evolving rapidly. It may be that by the time you read this advice, best practice has further evolved. Do your own research.
AI has absorbed a lot of information. What it cannot do is read your mind. Most disappointing results come down to a vague prompt, not a bad tool.
1. Assign a Role
Start by telling the AI who it is. A specific role changes the tone and focus of everything that follows.
Example
| “You are a retail copywriter for local Australian gift and |
| homewares shops. Help me write...” |
2. Be Specific
AI takes instructions literally. It will not fill in gaps. Vague prompts get generic output — every time.
Spell out the scope, length, and style. If a rule applies to the whole task, say so explicitly.
Instead of this:
| “Write a Facebook post about our new stock.” |
Try this:
| “Write a 100-word Facebook post for our local customers about |
| our new winter homewares arrival. Keep the tone warm throughout |
| — not just in the opening line.” |
3. Show Examples
You can describe the style you want. It works better to just show it.
Paste a past email, a product blurb, or a loyalty voucher that landed well. Tell the AI to match that style. First drafts improve noticeably when the AI has something real to aim at.
Example
| “Below is a newsletter blurb that drove good foot traffic last |
| month. Write a new one for our upcoming weekend sale — same |
| style, same energy.” |
4. Label Your Information
Instructions and background look the same to an AI if they run together. A heading or a bracket is enough to separate them.
Example
| INSTRUCTIONS: Review the customer email below and draft a |
| reply about our return policy. |
| EXAMPLE REPLY: [Paste your standard policy template here] |
| CUSTOMER EMAIL: “I bought a collectible item online yesterday |
| but ordered the wrong one...” |
5. Direct the Visual Style
AI picks a generic look by default. If you have something specific in mind, say so. Or ask for a shortlist of options and choose before the AI builds anything.
Example
| “Before you build this landing page, give me four visual style |
| options suited to a high-end Australian boutique. One line each. |
| I’ll pick one, then you proceed.” |
6. Put Everything in the First Message
Feeding information to the AI across multiple back-and-forth messages weakens the output. Write a complete brief — goal, audience, word limit, and any constraints — and send it once.
Quick Troubleshooting
| If the AI does this | Try this |
| Response is too long | "Be concise. Cut background context and keep examples minimal." |
| Misses steps or gives shallow answers | "Think through this step by step before you respond." |
| Sounds robotic or American | "Write in a warm, direct tone suited to an independent Australian retailer." |
newsXpress • Internal Use • newsxpress.com.au
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