In the new world of AI, there’s a growing marketplace where people sell ready-made prompts for ChatGPT and other tools. But here’s the question: should you spend money buying prompts—or is it better to learn how to make your own?
Think of it this way: buying prompts is like buying frozen dinners. Quick, easy, no effort required. But learning to craft your own prompts? That’s like learning to cook—you control the ingredients, the spice level, and whether or not pineapple belongs on pizza (we won’t judge).
The Case for Buying Prompts
- Fast results: Perfect if you’re in a hurry.
- Convenience: Someone else already tested and polished the wording.
- Good for beginners: Training wheels until you get comfortable.
The Case for Crafting Your Own
- Flexibility: You can tailor prompts for your exact situation.
- Long-term value: Once you learn the basics, you’ll never run out of ideas.
- Independence: No waiting on someone else’s creativity.
The Middle Ground
You don’t have to pick sides. Many people start by buying a few prompt packs, then study them to see how they’re written. Once you understand the “recipe,” you can start tweaking and eventually create your own signature prompts.
A Simple Prompt Crafting Starter Kit (with Examples)
Here are three patterns you can use right now—plus examples to show how they work in real life:
1. Role Play
Pattern: “Pretend you are a [chef/teacher/CEO]. Explain [topic] in that role.”
- Weak prompt: “Explain quantum physics.”
- Better prompt: “Pretend you are a high school science teacher. Explain quantum physics in a way a 10th grader would understand, using a classroom example.”
2. Step-by-Step
Pattern: “Explain how to [do something] in [X] simple steps, as if you’re teaching a beginner.”
- Weak prompt: “How do I start a podcast?”
- Better prompt: “Explain how to start a podcast in 5 simple steps, assuming I’ve never recorded audio before. Include beginner-friendly tools and tips.”
3. Tone Shift
Pattern: “Rewrite this [text/idea] in a [formal/funny/persuasive] tone.”
- Weak prompt: “Write about drinking water.”
- Better prompt: “Write a short persuasive paragraph about why people should drink more water, in the style of a sports coach giving a locker room pep talk.”
Notice how the “better prompts” give the AI clear context, role, and direction—resulting in answers that actually feel useful instead of vague or robotic.
Purchased vs. Crafted: A Real Example
Here’s where the difference really stands out:
Purchased Prompt (from a prompt marketplace):
“Write a professional LinkedIn post about time management.”
Result: A decent, generic post—something like “Time is our most valuable resource. Here are 3 ways to manage your day better…” Not bad, but also not unique.
Crafted Prompt (DIY version):
“Write a professional but slightly humorous LinkedIn post on time management for busy entrepreneurs. Use an analogy comparing time to juggling flaming torches while answering emails, and end with a call-to-action inviting readers to share their own hacks.”
Result: Now you’ve got a post with personality, voice, and relevance to your audience. It’s not just another cookie-cutter piece of advice—it sounds like you.
Bottom Line
Buying prompts can give you a jump-start, but learning to craft your own is the long-term skill that pays off every time you open ChatGPT. If you can order a burger at a drive-thru without messing it up, you can learn to prompt. And once you do, you’ll never have to settle for generic results again.
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