Prompting Fundamentals - Types of Prompts

1. Zero-Shot Prompting

What it is: Give AI a task with no examples or context beyond the basic instruction.

When to use: Quick brainstorming, simple tasks, initial content generation

Strengths: Fast, requires minimal setup, good for creative ideation

Weaknesses: Generic outputs, inconsistent quality, lacks specific context

Examples:

Basic Example:

"Write a LinkedIn post about productivity."

Estate Agent Example:

"Write a property description for a 3-bedroom house."

Result: Generic description lacking specific details, local context, or compelling selling points.

Improved Zero-Shot for Estate Agents:

"Write a compelling property description for a 3-bedroom Victorian terraced house in South London, targeting first-time buyers with a £450,000 budget. Focus on period features and transport links."

Result: More targeted but still lacks the specific details that make properties stand out.

Best Practice: Use zero-shot for initial brainstorming, then refine with more advanced techniques.

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2. One-Shot Prompting

What it is: Provide one example before asking AI to perform the task.

When to use: When you have a specific style or format in mind, initial template creation

Strengths: Better context than zero-shot, shows desired format, improves consistency

Weaknesses: Limited pattern recognition, may not capture full complexity

Examples:

Basic Example:

"Like this example: 'Boost your Monday motivation with these 3 productivity hacks that actually work! 🚀'

Now write a similar LinkedIn post about time management."

Estate Agent Example:

"Here's a good property description example:

'STUNNING VICTORIAN CHARM meets modern convenience in this beautifully renovated 3-bed terrace. Original features include exposed brick walls and period fireplaces, while contemporary touches feature a sleek kitchen and spa-like bathroom. Just 8 minutes to Clapham Junction station. £475,000'

Now write a similar description for a 2-bedroom flat in Brixton with modern amenities."

Business Use Case:

"Here's an effective client follow-up email:

'Hi Sarah, following our viewing yesterday, I wanted to share some additional information about the local schools and transport links you mentioned. I've also identified two similar properties that might interest you. When would be convenient for a quick call to discuss next steps?'

Now write a similar follow-up email for a client who viewed a property but seemed concerned about the asking price."

Best Practice: Choose your example carefully - it sets the template for all future outputs.

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3. Few-Shot Prompting

What it is: Provide 3-5 examples to establish a clear pattern for AI to follow.

When to use: Creating consistent brand voice, complex formatting, specialized content types

Strengths: Strong pattern recognition, consistent quality, captures nuanced requirements

Weaknesses: Requires more setup time, needs carefully selected examples

Examples:

Estate Agent Property Descriptions:

"Here are 3 examples of our house style for property descriptions:

Example 1: 'FAMILY HAVEN: This spacious 4-bed semi in Putney offers the perfect blend of comfort and convenience. Victorian elegance meets modern family living with a stunning kitchen extension overlooking a private garden. Excellent schools nearby. Putney Station: 12 minutes walk. £725,000'

Example 2: 'FIRST-TIME BUYER DREAM: Charming 2-bed flat in vibrant Hackney. Bright, airy spaces with original wooden floors and contemporary kitchen. Trendy cafés and Broadway Market on your doorstep. London Fields: 5 minutes. £485,000'

Example 3: 'INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY: Well-presented 1-bed apartment in sought-after Canary Wharf. Modern fixtures, concierge service, and guaranteed rental yield of 4.5%. Perfect for portfolio expansion. DLR: 2 minutes walk. £395,000'

Now write a similar description for a 3-bedroom Victorian terrace in Clapham, targeting young professionals."

Client Communication Templates:

"Here are 3 examples of our client update style:

Example 1: 'Hi James, Quick update on Maple Road: We've received a competitive offer at £15k below asking. The buyers are chain-free and can complete in 6 weeks. I recommend we negotiate to £8k below asking. Your thoughts?'

Example 2: 'Hi Sarah, Viewing feedback from Oak Avenue: Very positive response, particularly to the garden and kitchen. One viewer mentioned the bathroom needs updating - we can use this to justify our pricing strategy. Two more viewings booked for weekend.'

Example 3: 'Hi Michael, Market update for your area: Three similar properties sold this month, achieving 97% of asking price on average. This supports our valuation approach. Shall we proceed with the marketing launch next week?'

Now write a similar update for a client whose property has been on the market for 6 weeks without offers."

Quality Improvement: Research shows few-shot prompting improves output quality by 40% compared to zero-shot.

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4. Chain-of-Thought (CoT) Prompting

What it is: Guide AI through step-by-step reasoning before reaching a conclusion.

When to use: Complex analysis, strategic decisions, multi-factor considerations

Strengths: Logical reasoning, transparent decision-making, handles complexity

Weaknesses: Longer responses, more processing time, requires clear step definition

Examples:

Property Valuation Analysis:

"Analyze this property valuation step-by-step:

1. First, assess the comparable sales data for 3-bed houses in SW11 in the last 6 months
2. Then, evaluate the specific features of this property (Victorian, renovated, garden, parking)
3. Next, consider current market conditions and trends in this price bracket
4. Factor in any unique selling points or potential concerns
5. Finally, provide a valuation range with reasoning

Property: 3-bed Victorian terrace, Battersea, renovated, 100sqm, private garden, no parking, asking £850,000"

Market Strategy Development:

"Develop a marketing strategy for this property using this thought process:

1. First, identify the target buyer demographic based on price point, location, and features
2. Then, analyze the competition (similar properties currently on market)
3. Next, determine the optimal marketing channels and messaging approach
4. Consider timing factors (seasonality, market conditions, local events)
5. Finally, create a comprehensive marketing plan with success metrics

Property: 2-bed flat, Shoreditch, £525,000, modern conversion, roof terrace"

Investment Decision Analysis:

"Help a client decide whether to invest in this property by thinking through:

1. First, calculate the rental yield based on current market rents
2. Then, assess capital appreciation potential over 5-10 years
3. Next, evaluate the risks (area development, market conditions, property condition)
4. Consider the client's investment goals and portfolio balance
5. Finally, provide a clear recommendation with supporting rationale

Property: 1-bed flat, Canary Wharf, £420,000, service charge £2,400/year, estimated rent £1,800/month"

Accuracy Improvement: CoT prompting increases complex reasoning accuracy by up to 67%.

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5. Tree-of-Thought (ToT) Prompting

What it is: AI explores multiple solution paths simultaneously, evaluating each before selecting the best approach.

When to use: Strategic planning, creative problem-solving, when multiple valid solutions exist

Strengths: Comprehensive analysis, creative solutions, reduced bias

Weaknesses: Time-intensive, complex to structure, can be overwhelming

Examples:

Property Marketing Strategy:

"Generate 3 different marketing approaches for this property, evaluate each, then recommend the best:

Property: 4-bed family house, £750,000, needs modernization, large garden, near good schools

Approach 1: Focus on family appeal and potential
Approach 2: Market to developers/investors for renovation project
Approach 3: Price aggressively for quick sale to cash buyers

For each approach:

• Target audience and messaging
• Marketing channels and budget
• Expected timeline and price achievement
• Risks and opportunities

Then evaluate which approach offers the best balance of price, speed, and probability of success."

Negotiation Strategy:

"We have multiple offers on a property. Generate 3 different negotiation strategies, evaluate each, then recommend the best approach:

Situation: £650,000 asking price, 3 offers received

• Offer A: £635,000, cash buyer, 8-week completion
• Offer B: £645,000, mortgage approved, 6-week completion
• Offer C: £650,000 (full asking), subject to sale, 12-week completion

Strategy 1: Accept highest offer and manage the chain
Strategy 2: Negotiate between the two strongest offers
Strategy 3: Use competition to push all offers higher

Evaluate each strategy on: vendor priorities, risk factors, market conditions, and likely outcomes."

Area Development Analysis:

"Assess investment potential in Deptford for property investment through 3 different analytical lenses:

Lens 1: Infrastructure and transport developments
Lens 2: Demographic shifts and gentrification patterns
Lens 3: Comparative analysis with similar London regeneration areas

For each lens:

• Key indicators and data points
• 5-year projection
• Investment implications
• Risk assessment

Synthesize findings to determine overall investment recommendation."

Premium Results: ToT produces higher-quality strategic analysis but takes 3x longer than standard prompting.

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6. ReAct Prompting (Reasoning + Action)

What it is: Combines reasoning about a situation with specific actions, creating a think-then-act cycle.

When to use: Strategic planning, problem-solving with multiple steps, process optimization

Strengths: Action-oriented, clear reasoning trail, practical implementation focus

Weaknesses: Can become verbose, requires clear action frameworks

Examples:

Property Sales Strategy:

"Think about the challenges with this property listing, then recommend specific actions:

Situation: 3-bed house, on market 8 weeks, 12 viewings, no offers, asking £575,000

Thought: What factors typically cause this pattern?
Action: Analyze feedback themes, comparable sales, and current market conditions

Thought: How can we diagnose the specific issues?
Action: Contact viewers for detailed feedback, review online analytics, compare with successful sales

Thought: What are the most likely solutions?
Action: Create action plan addressing the top 3 identified issues

Thought: How do we implement and measure success?
Action: Set specific targets and review timeline

Provide the complete think-act sequence with specific recommendations."

Client Relationship Management:

"Think through this client situation and recommend actions:

Situation: High-value client hasn't responded to calls/emails for 2 weeks after initially showing strong interest

Thought: What are possible reasons for the silence?
Action: List 5 potential causes and likelihood of each

Thought: What's the appropriate response strategy?
Action: Design a re-engagement approach that doesn't appear pushy

Thought: How can we prevent this in future?
Action: Create system improvements for client communication

Thought: What's the backup plan if they don't respond?
Action: Define timeline and alternative approaches

Provide specific actions for each thought process."

Market Entry Analysis:

"Think through entering the Croydon property market and plan actions:

Thought: What do we need to understand about this market?
Action: Research local competition, pricing trends, and buyer preferences

Thought: How do we establish credibility quickly?
Action: Identify key partnerships, marketing channels, and community connections

Thought: What's our competitive differentiation?
Action: Analyze gaps in current service provision and develop unique value propositions

Thought: How do we measure success?
Action: Define KPIs and create tracking systems

Provide 90-day action plan with specific milestones."

Perfect for: Strategic content planning, process improvement, and systematic problem-solving.

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7. Multimodal Prompting

What it is: Combine text prompts with images, documents, or data files for comprehensive analysis.

When to use: Property analysis with photos, document review, data interpretation, visual content creation

Strengths: Rich context, handles complex information, visual understanding

Weaknesses: Platform limitations, file size constraints, requires supporting media

Examples:

Property Photo Analysis:

"Analyze these property photos and create marketing copy:

[Upload: 5 interior photos of a 2-bed flat]

Based on what you see in these images:

1. Identify the key selling points and attractive features
2. Note any concerns or areas that need addressing
3. Determine the target buyer demographic
4. Create compelling property description emphasizing the strongest visual elements
5. Suggest photo improvements or additional shots needed

Focus on what makes this property stand out visually."

Market Data Interpretation:

"Review this market data and provide insights:

[Upload: Spreadsheet with 6 months of local sales data]

Analyze the data to:

1. Identify pricing trends by property type
2. Spot seasonal patterns or anomalies
3. Compare performance vs. broader market
4. Predict next quarter trends
5. Create client-ready market summary with key takeaways

Present findings in both detailed analysis and executive summary formats."

Floor Plan Optimization:

"Examine this floor plan and suggest improvements:

[Upload: Property floor plan]

Based on this layout:

1. Assess space utilization and flow
2. Identify opportunities for reconfiguration
3. Suggest improvements to maximize perceived space
4. Estimate costs and complexity of recommended changes
5. Create before/after value impact assessment

Focus on changes that deliver highest ROI for resale value."

Document Analysis:

"Review this survey report and create client summary:

[Upload: Building survey PDF]

Extract and organize:

1. Critical issues requiring immediate attention
2. Medium-term maintenance recommendations
3. Cost estimates for identified repairs
4. Impact on property value and negotiation position
5. Client-friendly summary with prioritized action items

Present in clear, non-technical language with visual priority ratings."

Unlocks: Visual AI capabilities, document processing, and data-driven insights.

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8. Prompt Chaining

What it is: Link multiple prompts together where each builds on the previous output.

When to use: Complex workflows, multi-stage processes, comprehensive analysis projects

Strengths: Handles complex tasks, maintains context across steps, systematic approach

Weaknesses: Time-intensive, requires careful sequence planning, can compound errors

Examples:

Complete Property Marketing Campaign:

Prompt 1 - Market Research:

"Analyze the market for 3-bedroom houses in Wimbledon, £600k-£700k range. Provide:

1. Recent sales data and trends
2. Current competition analysis
3. Target buyer profile
4. Optimal pricing strategy"

Prompt 2 - Marketing Strategy (using output from Prompt 1):

"Based on this market analysis: [paste Prompt 1 output]

Develop comprehensive marketing strategy including:

1. Key messaging and positioning
2. Marketing channels and budget allocation
3. Timeline and milestones
4. Success metrics and KPIs"

Prompt 3 - Content Creation (using outputs from Prompts 1 & 2):

"Using this market analysis and marketing strategy: [paste previous outputs]

Create complete marketing materials:

1. Property description for Rightmove/Zoopla
2. Social media campaign content (5 posts)
3. Email marketing sequence (3 emails)
4. Print brochure copy"

Prompt 4 - Performance Tracking (using all previous outputs):

"Based on the complete campaign plan: [paste all outputs]

Create monitoring and optimization framework:

1. Weekly performance review checklist
2. Key metrics dashboard requirements
3. Optimization triggers and responses
4. Campaign adjustment protocols"

Client Onboarding Process:

Prompt 1 - Initial Assessment:

"Create comprehensive client needs assessment for property buyers. Include:

1. Financial qualification questions
2. Lifestyle and preference mapping
3. Timeline and urgency factors
4. Communication preferences"

Prompt 2 - Personalized Service Plan:

"Using this client assessment framework: [paste Prompt 1 output]

For a specific client profile: Young couple, £450k budget, first-time buyers, want 2-bed in South London

Create personalized service plan:

1. Tailored property search criteria
2. Educational content recommendations
3. Communication schedule and touchpoints
4. Success milestones and celebrations"

Prompt 3 - Implementation Checklist:

"Based on this service plan: [paste Prompt 2 output]

Create operational checklist:

1. Week 1 activities and deliverables
2. Ongoing weekly/monthly tasks
3. System setup requirements
4. Quality control checkpoints"

Investment Analysis Workflow:

Prompt 1 - Property Analysis:

"Analyze this investment property: 1-bed flat, £350k, Zone 2, estimated rent £1,500/month

Provide:

1. Yield calculations (gross/net)
2. Comparable property analysis
3. Area growth potential
4. Risk assessment"

Prompt 2 - Financial Modeling:

"Using this property analysis: [paste Prompt 1 output]

Create 10-year financial model including:

1. Cash flow projections
2. Capital appreciation scenarios (conservative/optimistic)
3. Tax implications and optimization
4. ROI analysis vs. alternative investments"

Prompt 3 - Client Recommendation:

"Based on this complete analysis: [paste both outputs]

Create client presentation including:

1. Executive summary with clear recommendation
2. Key metrics and projections
3. Risk mitigation strategies
4. Next steps and decision timeline"

Systematic Excellence: Prompt chaining ensures no steps are missed in complex processes while maintaining quality control throughout.

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Advanced Prompt Engineering Tips

Prompt Optimization Framework:

1. Clarity: Use specific, unambiguous language
2. Context: Provide relevant background information
3. Constraints: Set clear boundaries and requirements
4. Examples: Show desired output format when possible
5. Evaluation: Define success criteria

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Vague instructions: "Make it better" vs. "Improve clarity and add specific examples"
• Missing context: Assuming AI understands your business/situation
• No quality control: Not specifying format, length, or tone requirements
• Overwhelming complexity: Trying to do too much in one prompt

Quality Control Checklist:

✅ Accuracy: Facts, figures, and claims are correct
✅ Compliance: Meets regulatory requirements (GDPR, Property Ombudsman)
✅ Brand consistency: Matches company voice and values
✅ Audience appropriateness: Suitable for intended recipients
✅ Actionability: Provides clear next steps when required

Performance Metrics:

• Zero-shot: Fast, 60% quality baseline
• Few-shot: 40% quality improvement, moderate setup time
• Chain-of-thought: 67% accuracy improvement for complex tasks
• Tree-of-thought: Premium results, 3x processing time
• Prompt chaining: Comprehensive coverage, requires systematic planning

Remember: The best prompting technique depends on your specific use case, time constraints, and quality requirements. Start simple, then advance as you develop expertise.