How do I write a good AI prompt when I don't really know what I want yet?

You don't start with a prompt. You start with a conversation. Most beginners think prompting is like a Google search — you type in exactly what you need and hope the perfect result pops out. It's not. Think of the AI more like a new coworker who's eager to help but needs context. Your first message should be messy. Tell it your rough goal, what you're struggling with, and ask it to help you clarify. For example, instead of typing 'write a marketing email,' try something like: 'I need to tell my customers about a price increase for our dog grooming service. I'm worried they'll be upset. Can you ask me a few questions to help me figure out the best way to communicate this?' The AI will then ask you things you hadn't considered — like whether you want to emphasize improved service quality or offer a grandfathered rate. I've found this back-and-forth method produces much better results than trying to craft the 'perfect' prompt in one shot. A useful trick: after the AI gives you a draft, ask it 'What assumptions did you make when writing this?' It'll list them, and you can correct the ones that are wrong. This single question has saved me more time than any prompt formula ever has. The real skill isn't prompt engineering. It's learning to steer the conversation.