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Build a persona snapshot only from what the research shows
Practice: Keeping the AI to your sources. About 5 minutes.
About this exercise
Your team wants a persona snapshot for the main user segment from last month's research. Write exactly 4 lines labeled Who:, Goal:, Frustration: and Quote:, plain text, under 70 words. Base it on what most participants in the segment said, not the one outlier, and make the quote word for word from a participant in that segment.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Asking for 'a persona'. The AI invents a named character with age, hobbies and a backstory. Try: Show the shape: "4 lines labeled Who:, Goal:, Frustration:, Quote:. Plain text."
- Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total word limit and it often lands over it. Try: Cap each line instead: "each line under 16 words."
- Mixing in the outlier. Jon's 12-chair needs are in the notes, and the AI blends them in. Try: Add: "Use only P1-P5. Ignore Jon; he's outside the segment."
- Paraphrased quote. AI tidies quotes so they sound better. Try: Add: "Quote word for word from one participant."
What a strong prompt includes
- Shows the labels
- Excludes the outlier
- Asks for an exact quote
- Grounds in the research
- Sets a word limit
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