AI Storytelling Prompting Guide for Relatable Content Creation
Content creation on Instagram is all about storytelling with words and visuals. Nearly 90% of consumers prefer brands that are “real and organic” over “staged” (Forbes). Crafting authentic storytelling can take hours to refine the brand message. With AI, the process becomes faster, which is why 76% of marketers use it to streamline content creation, according to a Salesforce survey. However, the key to success in content writing with AI lies in creating the right prompt. This week, we will show you how to develop effective prompts for storytelling on Instagram.
What Makes Your Content Different?
Sure, everyone can write a story, especially with AI tools available. But, as you can see in the first example, using AI with a vague prompt creates robotic results. It feels generic and uninspiring without effort to engage the audience beyond providing information.
Whether it’s Claude, Gemini, or ChatGPT, AI doesn’t know your business like you do, much like a new hire who needs proper onboarding, in this case through your prompt. Meanwhile, the second example, crafted with detailed and clear prompts, uses details to create a sense of progress and commitment while inviting the audience to engage in the story.
Step 1: Set the stage
If you haven't defined your target market and brand positioning, now is the time to do it. Think of it as the nail in the coffin—without it, the output can feel generic or misaligned with your brand’s message. So, start by describing your role and brand, highlighting your specialisations and values. Then, specify the role you want the AI to take on—like an experienced copywriter or a technical writer—so it generates content that matches the desired tone. Define your audience clearly, focusing on their key needs or interests, and explain how your brand stands out, ensuring that the AI aligns its messaging with your overall strategy.
Example Prompt: "I’m a social media content creator for a decade-year-old construction company. We specialise in building solar-integrated office spaces and green-certified retail centres in urban areas. Our target market includes mid-sized tech firms looking to reduce their carbon footprint, urban planners focusing on sustainable city developments, and co-working space providers aiming to attract eco-conscious tenants. Our brand is positioned as the go-to expert in renewable construction, blending cutting-edge green technology with modern design to deliver energy-efficient, aesthetically pleasing spaces. You are a seasoned copywriter with a deep understanding of sustainable building trends and experienced in engaging B2B audiences through content that is both informative and persuasive."
Step 2: Set Your Desired Outcome
Think of your social media as a puzzle—each piece has a purpose to achieve the big picture. There is a big purpose– like generating leads– and smaller objectives, such as raising awareness, promoting new offerings, or engaging with your community. So, start by clearly stating your goal. Also, be specific about both short-term and long-term goals. Next, provide context about the content itself—mention the content material (product, topic, project).
Example Prompt: "My goal is to engage our existing community of real estate developers and urban planners by sharing behind-the-scenes content from our latest project: a solar-powered co-working space in downtown Melbourne, designed to reduce energy consumption by 40% compared to traditional office buildings. The short-term objective is to build a sense of community and trust around our brand. The greater purpose is to position our brand as a trusted thought leader in sustainable construction, ultimately driving long-term loyalty and securing more large-scale contracts."
Step 3: Specify the Format
Instagram offers a variety of content formats, such as Stories, Reels, and Posts. Tell the AI what type of content you're looking to create and what medium it’s intended for. For instance, if you’re creating a Reel, mention that you need a script that complements the visual elements, like a voiceover or text overlays. If it’s a Story, specify that you need a concise copy with a clear call to action, like a swipe-up link or a poll. For a Post, describe the image or visuals and the type of caption needed to engage viewers—whether it’s a catchy headline or an informative caption. Don’t forget to include details about your brand’s tone and any trending styles you want to incorporate, so the AI can match the content to your brand’s voice.
Example Prompt: "I need help creating written content for a carousel post for Instagram. The post should maintain a professional yet approachable tone, highlighting our commitment to sustainable construction with a touch of humour that aligns with current 'behind-the-scenes' trends. The content will feature images of our solar-powered co-working space project in downtown Melbourne, including photos of the installation process and the finished rooftop solar panels. Each slide should tell a part of the story, guiding viewers through the project’s journey from start to finish. Include a call to action that encourages followers to share their thoughts on green building solutions or ask questions about the project."
Step 4: Follow Up
Like any technology, AI can make mistakes. Fortunately, AI also makes it easy to refine and improve those mistakes through follow-up prompts. The goal is to get it right within one or two follow-ups. To do this, clearly identify what you want to adjust and re-generate. Highlight specific sections that need more detail or request changes in tone. If the content still doesn’t feel right, prompt the AI for a deeper discussion to explore alternative angles or improvements.
Example Prompt: "The tone feels a bit too formal, could you adjust it to sound more conversational, like we're chatting with a community of like-minded professionals? Finally, I think the call to action could be stronger. Instead of just asking followers to share their thoughts, can you suggest a question that sparks more discussion, like ‘What other sustainable features would you want to see in your ideal workspace?"
Step 5: Proofread and Fact-Checking
AI can sometimes add imaginative details or make errors called “hallucinations”, so it's essential to fact-check and proofread the content yourself to provide human oversight. You can start by asking the AI to focus on correcting specific issues, like using the right regional grammar or updating statistics based on new information you’ve provided. This will ensure that the final draft meets your standards.
Example Prompt: "I need you to help me proofread and fact-check the final draft of the Instagram carousel Post. Since I’m based in Australia, can you make sure the copy uses Australian English and adheres to local grammar rules? After doing some research, I found that the original claim of a 40% energy reduction for our solar-powered co-working space isn't accurate—it’s closer to 35%. Please update the content to reflect this more accurate figure, and ensure that all other data points are consistent with my findings."
Why Prompts Have to Be in Detail
Vague prompts lead to generic results, while detailed ones empower the AI to understand your goals, the nuances of your message, and the tone you want to convey. Being detailed also saves time in the long run, reducing the need for revisions and instead, helping you focus on building relationships with your followers and growing your brand.
You see yourself as a brand that’s ready to make a real impact—one that values authenticity but struggles with the time-consuming nature of content creation. That’s where Click Creative Digital Agency Melbourne steps in. We become your creative partner, guiding you through the process of content creation effectively while ensuring your message remains distinct. With our team of content specialists, you’ll turn your vision into captivating content that really stands out.
