Stop Worshipping Perfect Prompts

By Micah Gaudet •
AI Training

AI isn't a side project for city hall anymore. It sits in the meeting, reviews the RFP, and sometimes answers the public records request before you do. The only thing standing between you and leverage is the sentence you type next. Quit polishing it. Press send.

Below is your crash course—built for public‑sector pros—on getting value today, not after a six‑week "deep dive." Each move ends with a Do it now step and a takeaway you can pass to your team before lunch.

1. Start with the Decision, Not the Topic

"Draft something on park maintenance" is smoke. Instead: "Give me a 100‑word summary of maintenance backlogs by district for Tuesday's work session." The AI knows where to swing the hammer.

Do it now: Rewrite one item on your desk so it names audience, format, and decision. Drop it into your model of choice.

Takeaway: Outcome‑first prompts slice editing time in half.

2. Layer Like an Interrogator

Don't dump three pages of context in one breath. Go serial:

  • "List building permits over $2 M in 2024."
  • "Add funding source and job‑site address."
  • "Flag anything within 500 ft of a school."

Do it now: Break today's research task into three escalating asks. Fire them one after another and watch the answers tighten.

Takeaway: Layers turn AI ramble into a clean briefing.

3. Feed It City DNA

Models aren't psychic. Two lines of local flavor (reading level, tone, typical acronyms) save you a round‑trip with track changes. Keep a "prompt pack" ready to paste.

Do it now: Before drafting your next press release, prepend two sentences on voice and resident reading level. Compare the result.

Takeaway: Context in, revisions out.

4. Iterate Fast, Throw Away Faster

First drafts stink. Second drafts teach. The goal isn't perfect; it's better than the last click. 2‑minute sprints, three prompt variants, pick the winner, move on.

Do it now: Set a timer for 5-10 minutes. Generate three versions of one prompt. Keep the sharpest. Kill the rest.

Takeaway: Speed compounds. Perfection doesn't.

5. Automate the Scaffolding with Prompt Genius

Different engines, same friction: writing the prompt. My micro‑app, Prompt Genius, converts plain‑English goals into ready‑to‑run prompt templates. No extra jargon, no subscription bloat.

Do it now: Feed Prompt Genius a live task—"Give me a way to collect resident noise‑complaint themes." Copy the output into ChatGPT. Adjust, ship.

Takeaway: Let the tool handle syntax so you can handle substance.

Final Word

Local government improves in increments. So does prompt crafting. Type, test, tweak, repeat. The best prompt isn't the clever one in your drafts folder—it's the rough‑cut you used this morning to shave an hour off your workload.

Stop chasing flawless. Chase progress. And if you want a head start, Prompt Genius is waiting.