#381: How to Have Better, More Productive Conversations with AI

AI is changing how we work. But many freelancers are falling into the trap of using it in the least effective way possible: by relying on massive, fully pre-written prompts that remove you from the creative process.

In this episode, I share a better, more natural approach that treats AI like a trusted collaborator rather than a black box you dump instructions into. You'll learn my simple 3R Prompting framework and see how an iterative, conversational workflow can help you get sharper insights, stronger ideas, and better final results.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Why "one-shot" prompts often produce generic, uninspired output.
• How to use the 3R Prompting framework (Role, Reference, Requirements) to set AI up for success.
• The power of iterative dialogue vs. information overload.
• A step-by-step example of moving from raw ideas to polished output through back-and-forth with AI.
• How this approach can make you not only more productive but also a better thinker and problem solver.

Key Takeaway: The most powerful way to use AI is to guide it through a focused, iterative conversation that keeps you in control of the process and the creative direction. That's much better than overloading it with information and expecting magic from just one massive prompt.

Listener Challenge: This week, take one project you might normally hand over to AI in a single big prompt and instead break it into 3–4 smaller conversational steps. Start with the 3R framework, then feed in additional details as you go. Notice how the quality (and your own thinking) improves along the way.