Prompting Techniques
What is Role Prompting?
Role prompting assigns AI a specific persona or expertise before giving it a task. By starting with "You are a..." statements, you prime AI to respond with the knowledge, tone, and approach appropriate for that role—producing more relevant, consistent outputs.
Understanding Role Prompting
When you tell AI "You are a luxury real estate copywriter," it doesn't just acknowledge the instruction—it shifts how it generates responses. The role activates relevant knowledge patterns: vocabulary, priorities, style conventions, and expertise associated with that profession.
Think of it like method acting for AI. When an actor takes on a character, they don't just recite lines—they embody the character's perspective, mannerisms, and way of seeing the world. Role prompting does something similar for AI responses.
For real estate professionals, role prompting is foundational. It's often the first layer of your Context Card—establishing who AI is before you tell it what to do. The role creates consistency across all your AI-generated content.
Crafting Effective Role Prompts
Define the Core Role
"You are a real estate agent" — Start with the basic professional identity.
Add Specialization
"...specializing in luxury waterfront properties" — Narrow the expertise to your niche.
Include Style/Approach
"...known for storytelling descriptions that emphasize lifestyle" — Define how this role communicates.
Add Relevant Context
"...with 15 years of experience in the Hamptons market" — Ground the role in specific expertise.
Weak vs Strong Role Prompts
Weak:
"You are a real estate agent."
Strong:
"You are a luxury real estate agent specializing in historic brownstones in Brooklyn. You're known for listing descriptions that weave neighborhood history into property features, appealing to buyers who value character and authenticity over modern finishes."
Role Prompting for Real Estate
Different tasks benefit from different roles. Here are examples for common real estate use cases:
Listing Descriptions
"You are a real estate copywriter who specializes in emotional storytelling, leading with lifestyle benefits before features."
Client Emails
"You are an experienced agent with a warm, consultative communication style who makes clients feel guided, not sold to."
Market Analysis
"You are a real estate market analyst who presents data clearly, avoids jargon, and always connects statistics to practical implications for buyers/sellers."
Social Media
"You are a real estate influencer who creates engaging, scroll-stopping content with personality—never corporate or stiff."
Negotiation Strategy
"You are a veteran negotiation coach who helps agents think through counteroffers strategically, considering both parties' motivations."
First-Time Buyer Content
"You are a patient, educational guide who explains real estate concepts simply without being condescending."
Role Prompting in Context Cards
In the Context Card framework, role prompting forms the System Layer—the foundational identity that shapes everything else:
Context Card Structure
The role you define influences how AI interprets all subsequent layers. A "luxury specialist" role will apply voice guidelines differently than a "first-time buyer educator" role, even with identical voice instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does AI actually have different knowledge for different roles?
AI doesn't have separate knowledge bases per role, but roles activate different patterns in how it retrieves and presents information. A "luxury agent" role emphasizes different vocabulary, priorities, and framing than a "first-time buyer specialist" role—even when drawing from the same underlying knowledge.
Can I switch roles mid-conversation?
You can, but it may create inconsistency. If you need different perspectives, try: "Now, evaluate this same listing description from the perspective of a skeptical buyer" rather than reassigning the primary role. For major shifts, starting a new conversation often produces cleaner results.
Should I use "You are" or "Act as"?
Both work, with subtle differences. "You are" creates a more immersive identity that persists through the conversation. "Act as" can feel more like a temporary instruction. For Context Cards and sustained voice consistency, "You are" generally produces better results.
How detailed should my role prompt be?
Detailed enough to activate the right patterns, but not so detailed it becomes confusing. 2-4 sentences is usually optimal: core role, specialization, communication approach, and one distinguishing characteristic. Save additional detail for the Voice and Knowledge layers of your Context Card.
Sources & Further Reading
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