Why Prompt Engineering Is the Most Underrated Skill in the AI Era

Prompt engineering is one of the most valuable skills you can learn right now. This post breaks down why prompting matters and introduces a framework you can start using today to get better results, faster.

There's no getting around the fact that if you’re not learning how to use AI, you’re falling behind. And the key to using AI well? Prompt engineering.

We’re living through one of the biggest technological shifts in history. Tools like ChatGPT are changing how work gets done across nearly every industry. They’re fast, powerful, and capable of handling tasks that used to take hours, sometimes even days.

But here’s what most people are missing: the importance of prompt engineering isn’t being talked about enough. Too many people think AI is “easy” to use, and sure, you can get it to spit out something useful with a basic request. But if that’s all you’re doing, you’re leaving serious value on the table.

I developed the CRAFTED framework as a simple way to structure smarter prompts that consistently get better results.

Now although I think prompt engineering is a skillset everyone should try to build, here’s a plug-and-play prompt to get you started. It’s built using the CRAFTED framework; a structure designed to help you create prompts that are clear, actionable, and effective. And remember, the output can always be tweaked and optimized from there. All that needs to be done is replace the [INSERT OBJECTIVE HERE] in the "Task" step with what you want to achieve.

Typing this out every time might feel tedious. That’s where a tool like Espanso comes in, a text expander that lets you type something like ;ai_prompt and instantly expand it into your optimized prompt block.

But that’s a topic for another post.

Let’s compare a basic prompt vs. one crafted using a structured method.

Basic Prompt:

“Write a cold email about our AI services.”

Output:

Subject: AI Solutions for Your Business

Hi, we offer AI consulting to help improve your operations. Interested in learning more?

It’s polished, but vague. It doesn’t speak to any specific audience or pain point.

CRAFTED Prompt:

Output:

Subject: Automate 3 hours a day using AI without hiring engineers

Hey [First Name],

I work with ops leads like you to identify simple ways to use AI to save time.

• Automate repetitive workflows

• No-code tools that don’t need IT

• Pilot in under 30 days

  Interested in seeing how this could apply to your team?

Takeaway: The more you give AI to work with, the more value it gives back.

Let’s say you ask AI:

“Give me a 30-minute workout routine I can follow.”

The response might be:

• Warm-up: 5 min jumping jacks

• Workout: Push-ups, squats, planks

• Cool-down: Stretch

That’s… fine. But:

• Does the AI know your current fitness level?

• Does it know if you have weights or prefer bodyweight?

• Does it know if you're trying to build muscle or lose fat?

• Does it know how familiar you are with workout terms?

It doesn’t, because you didn’t tell it.

Now let’s use a structured prompt:

Takeaway: Clear input = customized output. That’s the point of prompt engineering.

TL;DR:

Use the CRAFTED Framework to Build Better Prompts

What a Better Prompt Actually Looks Like

Why Specificity Matters: The Workout Example

You Don’t Need to Be an Engineer to Use AI Well

This isn’t just for developers. Prompt engineering is a power skill for marketers, analysts, designers, operators, anyone who solves problems with words or ideas.

If you understand your field and can communicate clearly with AI, you can scale your thinking and amplify your results, even if you never write a line of code.

Takeaway: Domain knowledge + smart prompting = unfair advantage.

Try This Next

Pick a real task you do this week, write an email, build a plan, summarize notes, and run it through the CRAFTED framework. Watch how the output levels up.

If you used the CRAFTED framework and it helped you optimize your workflow by making better prompts, feel free to DM me or leave a comment on the LinkedIn post referencing this blog. I'd love to hear how you're using it.

Quick Reference: The CRAFTED Framework

Use this checklist whenever you write a prompt:

• Context: What’s the situation or goal?

• Role: Who should the AI act as?

• Audience & Tone: Who’s it for, and how should it sound?

• Format: What structure should the output follow?

• Task: What do you want it to do?

• Examples: (Optional) What’s a great version of the result?

• Directions: Any final rules or constraints?