How to fix your bad AI output

November 17, 2025

By Kim Komando

You are going to love this. I know it. Why? Because we’ve all done it. 

You toss ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Perplexity or, God forbid, Siri a simple question, and it vomits. Or you tell it, “Write an email,” and out comes a mushy blob of corporate buzzwords no real human would ever say.

If you want great results, you don’t just “prompt,” you build an AI sandwich. It’s a simple, repeatable recipe you can use every single time. Four layers. No mystery meat.

1. The Top Bun: Context 

This is the step everyone skips, and it’s why they get lukewarm, C-average answers. Before you give the AI a task, you have to give it a role. You’re setting the stage:

• “You are a witty but skeptical financial columnist.”
• “You are a patient expert explaining a complex topic to a 10th grader.”
• “You are my creative partner. We’re brainstorming a new project.”

Never start with the command. Start by giving the AI a job.

2. The Meat: Your Input 

This is the substance you want the AI to chew on, say your topic, your notes, text you want rewritten, a competitor’s article, anything. Examples:

• “My topic is the pros and cons of crypto as part of a 401(k).”
• “Here’s the email I received from a client: [paste email]”

3. The Sauce: The Command 

This is where you finally say, “Here’s what I need.”

• “Critique the email above for tone.”
• “Summarize the key arguments.”
• “Rewrite this text to be 50% shorter.”

4. The Bottom Bun: Constraints 

This is your finishing touch and gives AI a little structure, a little flavor.

• “Keep it under 100 words.”
• “Use bullet points.”
• “Friendly tone, no corporate jargon.”

Constraints keep the AI from wandering off into Weirdville.

🍔 Here’s the difference in action

The Bad Prompt: “Write an email about our new product.” Yawn. You need to ketchup.

The AI Sandwich Prompt:
1. Top Bun: “You are a marketing expert writing an ad for Facebook. Your audience is busy but loyal. Your goal is to sound 100% human, not salesy.”
2. Meat: “Our new product is a time-tracking app.”
3. Sauce: “Give me three posts that highlight the #1 benefit, peace of mind, instead of listing features.”
4. Bottom Bun: “Use a casual, witty tone. End with one clear call to action.”

This is how you go from “meh” to “nailed it” in one shot.

💛 You’re the bun for me. If this gave you an “aha!” moment, pass it along to a friend who’s still fighting with their AI like it’s a stubborn toaster. Sharing is caring, and it might save someone from their next mushy, corporate-soup email. Use the icons below.