SBAR for Your AI Assistant
A practical guide to enhancing AI results with ready-to-use prompt templates.
No tech skills needed.
What is Prompting?
Prompting is the foundational skill for interacting with AI. It's the process of providing clear, structured instructions and context to guide an AI model towards generating precise, relevant, and high-quality outputs.
Essentially, you're giving the AI a blueprint for its task, ensuring its response meets your specific needs. Effective prompting transforms generic AI responses into highly tailored solutions.
Prompting is SBAR for AI
Situation
The exact task/deliverable
Background
Key context: audience, details
Assessment
Desired outcomes, challenges
Recommendation
Required format & constraints
The 4 Levels of Prompting Mastery
As you gain experience, your prompts evolve from simple requests to strategic directives, unlocking deeper capabilities of your AI assistant.
Level 1: Basic Prompts
Direct, single-turn instructions without much context. Often yields generic results.
Example: "Write an email."
Example: "Write an email."
Level 2: Contextual Prompts
Adds roles, audience, purpose, and basic constraints to get more relevant outputs.
Example: "As a marketing manager, write a concise email to a client about a new product, emphasizing benefits for small businesses."
Example: "As a marketing manager, write a concise email to a client about a new product, emphasizing benefits for small businesses."
Level 3: Constrained Prompts
Introduces specific formats, tone, word limits, or provides examples for highly tailored results.
Example: "Using the previous email, add a call to action for a demo. Ensure it's under 100 words and uses bullet points for 3 key benefits."
Example: "Using the previous email, add a call to action for a demo. Ensure it's under 100 words and uses bullet points for 3 key benefits."
Level 4: Strategic & Chained Prompts
Leverages AI's custom instructions, multi-turn conversations, or combines outputs from multiple prompts.
Example: "Based on our SBAR framework, draft a full social media campaign. (Follow-up: Now generate 3 headline options for each post.)"
Example: "Based on our SBAR framework, draft a full social media campaign. (Follow-up: Now generate 3 headline options for each post.)"
Mastering these levels allows you to consistently achieve high-quality, precise results from your AI, transforming it into an indispensable partner.
Weak prompt:
"Make a post about my webinar."
Strong Prompt:
- S: "3 Instagram captions for free webinar"
- B: "Audience: bedside nurses interested in AI side income"
- A: "Time-pressed and skeptical audience"
- R: "90-120 chars, 1 benefit + CTA, no medical claims"
The C.L.E.A.R. Checklist
Concise
Say exactly what you want.
Logical
Order steps; use bullets.
Explicit
State all requirements.
Adaptive
Iterate for better results.
Reflective
Save successful templates.
Is your prompt CLEAR? Adjust if not.
Original vs Exemplar
Original
No examples.
Best for quick, common formats (e.g., captions, hooks).
Exemplar
1-2 mini examples.
Locks voice/structure (e.g., ad angles, carousel style).
Rule of thumb: If outputs drift in tone, add a short example.
Accuracy & Compliance
Grounding
Paste key facts (offer, price, dates) to prevent AI guessing.
In-prompt references
Include exact snippets for copy.
Honesty clause
"If uncertain, ask; don't invent."
Verification pass
"List facts & assumptions for confirmation."
Tiny Tactics That Work
Include Constraints
Provide the AI with clear rules and boundaries, such as platform requirements or industry-specific regulations.
Incremental Prompting
Break down complex tasks into smaller steps: prompt, review the output, and then refine with follow-up instructions.
Use Formatting
Utilize structured formats like tables, bullet points, or specific sections to guide the AI's output and test different angles.
Templates: FB/IG Lead Ads
Structured Prompt
Context: Direct-response copywriter. Voice: friendly, plain, trustworthy.
Task: Write 3 ad variants for [offer] targeting [ideal customer]. Each 55-70 words: 1 clear benefit and 1 CTA.
Guidelines: Use angles: Fast win / Credibility / Objection-buster. Include subtle proof.
Constraints: No discounts, medical claims, hype. Return as a table.
Templates: Instagram Captions
"Create 5 Instagram captions for [offer] targeting [ideal customer]. Each 90-120 characters, 1 benefit + soft CTA, tone [tone]. Include 5 niche + 2 broad hashtags. Avoid jargon/exclamation marks."
Templates: LinkedIn Post
Exemplar Style
"Write 1 LinkedIn post (130-170 words) promoting [lead magnet] to [role]. Match the style of these examples:"
Templates: Reels/TikTok Script
"Script a 30-second video for [audience] to [goal]. Structure: Hook (5-7 words), 3 beats (benefit, proof, CTA), Close CTA. Include on-screen text and spoken lines."
Templates: 5-Slide Carousel
Slide 1
Bold promise
Slides 2-4
Myth → Truth with micro-proof
Slide 5
CTA to lead magnet
"Outline a **5-slide carousel**: **Slide 1** bold promise; **Slides 2-4** myth → truth with micro-proof; **Slide 5** CTA to **[lead magnet]**. Provide **slide titles** and **15-25 words** per slide."
Templates: Weekly Content Plan
Plan 7 posts for [platform] targeting [audience]: Mon (problem), Tue (tip), Wed (proof), Thu (behind-the-scenes), Fri (offer), Sat (success story), Sun (FAQ). Include hooks, caption outlines, and CTA.
Example: FB/IG Lead Ad
"Free AI Mini-Class"
1
Fast Win
Hook: Save 3 hrs/week in 30 mins
Body: Learn 3 AI prompts to cut busywork.
CTA: Save your seat
2
Credibility
Hook: Join 1,200+ owners leveling up with AI
Body: Real prompts, real results.
CTA: Register free
3
Objection-Buster
Hook: Not "techy"? Perfect.
Body: If you can email, use AI to market smarter.
CTA: I'm in
Example: Instagram Captions
"Freelance Starter Kit"
Plan a week of posts in 15 min. with our prompts. Grab the free kit. #contentplanning #smallbusiness
Write faster with our 5-line template. Download free. #copywriting #socialmediatips
Stop overthinking captions. Use our SBAR prompt. Get the free kit. #productivity #instagramtips
Example: LinkedIn Post
"Lead Magnet" (B2B coaching)
Hook
Content isn't the problem. Prompts are.
Body
- AI needs good input.
- Use SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation).
- Verify facts/assumptions.
CTA
Want my SBAR prompt kit? Comment "SBAR" for it.
Reusable SBAR Templates
Facebook/Instagram Lead Ad
- S: Offer: [offer], Audience: [audience].
- B: Voice: [tone], Proof: [proof point].
- A: Address: [objection], Goal: [leads/clicks].
- R: 55-70 words, 1 CTA, No medical claims.
Instagram Captions
- S: Promote: [offer] (5 captions).
- B: Voice: [tone], Include: [fact/testimonial].
- A: Focus: [pain → outcome].
- R: 90-120 chars, Soft CTA, Hashtags, No hype.
Quality Control Checklist
✅ CLEAR
Concise, explicit, logical.
✅ SBAR complete
S/B/A/R present and specific.
✅ Grounded facts
Verifiable facts; no risky claims.
✅ Constraints added
Platform rules; no medical claims.
✅ One deliverable at a time
Single output; table for A/B testing.
Prompt Rx (Fast Fixes)
Output generic?
Add audience, benefit, proof, length
Tone off?
Add 2-line sample; switch to few-shot
Missing CTA/risky claims?
Add constraints + verification pass
Model "wandering"?
Shorten prompt; restate must-haves at end
Quick Reference Guide: AI Prompting for Nurses
1
SBAR Framework
Apply SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) for clear, actionable AI prompts.
2
CLEAR Checklist
Craft effective prompts with CLEAR:
- Context: Background info.
- Length: Output size.
- Examples: Specific references.
- Audience: Target user.
- Role/Tone: AI persona/style.
3
Social Media Templates
Leverage pre-designed templates for quick, consistent social media content.
4
Prompt Troubleshooting
Fix common AI prompt issues fast:
- Generic Output: Add audience, benefit, proof, length.
- Tone Off: Provide 2-line sample; use few-shot.
- Risky Claims/No CTA: Add constraints; verify.
- Model "Wandering": Shorten prompt; restate must-haves.