Writing a prompt is a bit like giving someone a creative brief. The clearer you are about what you want, the easier it is for AI to understand the direction you have in mind. Leave it vague, and you're leaving the interpretation up to chance.
In this guide, you'll learn how to structure a prompt, use reference images, preserve important details, and adjust your instructions when the first result isn't quite what you expected.
Start with what matters most: context
When you add a product or a service, that information becomes the baseline Zeely works from. It reads the name, description, target audience, and visual details you've provided, and reuses all of it whenever it generates copy, images, or video.
For example, "a handmade linen tote bag with wide straps" gives AI more context than simply "a bag".
Build prompts like mini-scripts
A prompt doesn't have to follow one perfect formula. But when you're not sure where to start, it helps to break your request into a few simple parts:
Goal + Subject + Action + Context + Visual direction + Lighting + Style
There's no need to include every part every time. An image may not need an action, while a video usually benefits from describing what happens and how the camera moves.
Here's what each part means.
Goal
Start with what you want AI to create. For example:
Create a product photo.
Create a social media ad.
Create a 10-second product video.
Write a UGC script.
Subject
Describe what should be shown. For example:
My skincare product
The uploaded coffee package
A woman using the product
A pair of running shoes
Action
For videos or other dynamic content, describe what is happening. For example:
A woman picks up the product and applies it.
The camera slowly moves toward the product.
A person walks toward the camera.
Context
Describe where the scene takes place. For example:
In a bright, modern bathroom
On a cozy kitchen counter
On a busy city street at sunset
Visual direction
Describe the composition or camera work. For example:
Close-up shot
Product centered in the frame
Eye-level camera
Slow camera movement
Dynamic composition
Lighting
Describe the kind of lighting you want. For example:
Soft natural morning light
Warm sunset lighting
Bright studio lighting
Dramatic, high-contrast lighting
Style
Describe the overall look or mood. For example:
Clean and minimal
Premium and elegant
Warm and cozy
Modern and energetic
Cinematic and realistic
Adapt your prompt to what you're creating
The details you include depend on the type of content you want to create.
For images, focus on what should be shown, where it should appear, and how it should look.
For example:
Create a clean studio product photo of the uploaded coffee package on a light wooden table. Use soft morning sunlight and a warm, cozy atmosphere. Keep the packaging, logo, and text unchanged.
With video, describe not only what should be shown, but also what happens and how it moves.
For example:
Create a 10-second product video using the uploaded perfume bottle. Place the bottle on a marble bathroom counter with soft morning light. Start with a close-up and slowly move the camera toward the product. Keep the bottle shape, label, colors, and logo unchanged. Use a premium, elegant, cinematic style.
When you're asking AI to create copy, give it the information it needs to understand the message. Include:
Who the content is for
What you want to achieve
The key message or benefit
The tone
The call to action
For example:
Write a short Instagram ad for a skincare brand targeting women aged 25–40. Highlight that the product helps keep skin hydrated throughout the day. Use a friendly, confident tone and end with a clear call to action to try the product.
For more specific requests, you can also give AI a role or perspective to work from.
For example:
Act as a marketing copywriter. Write a short Instagram ad for a skincare brand targeting women aged 25–40. Highlight that the product helps keep skin hydrated throughout the day. Use a friendly, confident tone and end with a clear call to action to try the product.
You can also use your prompt to specify the language you want to use. For example, write the script in the language you want your avatar to speak, or simply mention it in your instructions: Have the avatar speak German.
Use positive instructions
AI doesn't always handle "don't" instructions the way people do. Whenever possible, focus on what you want to see, not just what you don't.
Instead of writing "Don't make the sky blue," try "Make the sky purple."
Positive instructions are easier for AI to follow and tend to produce more consistent results. When you do need to set limits, keep them short and place them at the end of your prompt:
Avoid adding text to the background.
Avoid changing the product color.
Use reference images with intention
A reference image can help communicate the direction you're after. But instead of simply uploading it, tell AI what you want it to take from the reference.
For example:
Use the uploaded image as a reference for the composition and lighting. Keep my product unchanged.
In other words, it should be clear what the reference is for.
Be specific when the details matter
If certain details matter to your product or brand, call them out in your prompt. The less specific you are, the more room AI has to guess.
Compare these two prompts.
Too vague: Create a nice video of my perfume.
More specific: Create a 10-second premium product video using the uploaded perfume bottle. Place it on a marble bathroom counter with soft morning light. Start with a close-up and slowly move the camera toward the product. Keep the bottle shape, label, colors, and logo unchanged. Use a clean, elegant, and cinematic style.
It's simple: the more precisely you describe what you want, the more likely you'll love what you get.
Generate, review, and refine
Prompt writing gets easier with practice, like most things people get better at over time. Here's a simple loop to help you build that habit:
Start → Edit → Generate → Refine
Start with the suggested prompt.
Tweak the details you want to change.
Generate your creative.
Take a look at the result, and refine if something's not quite right.
There's no perfect prompt, just the next one you try.
And, by the way, we're always happy to lend a hand and help you get the best experience with Zeely. Send us a message at [email protected], or reach out through the in-app chat anytime.