1
Custom instructions
Before and after — see what a bit of set-up does to Copilot's answers.
Ask this first, with nothing set up
Suggest 3 social media posts
Then build your custom instructions
Paste what it generates into Copilot
Settings → Personalization → Custom instructions → Edit instructions → Save.
2
The 4-stage framework
Watch one prompt get better, one ingredient at a time. Same example as on screen — Ferroholm Metals, a late-delivery chase-up.
STEP 1 · ROLE
Act like a purchasing manager. Write an email to a supplier about a late delivery.
STEP 2 · GOAL
Act like a purchasing manager, and give me a firm but polite chase-up email about a late delivery.
STEP 3 · CONTEXT AND FORMAT
Act like a purchasing manager, and give me a firm but polite chase-up email about a late delivery. I'm chasing 400kg of nickel revert that's three days overdue from Ferroholm Metals, and production's waiting on it. Keep it under 150 words, plain English.
STEP 4 · ASK FOR QUESTIONS
Act like a purchasing manager, and give me a firm but polite chase-up email about a late delivery. I'm chasing 400kg of nickel revert that's three days overdue from Ferroholm Metals, and production's waiting on it. Keep it under 150 words, plain English. Before you write it, what else do you need to know from me to do a good job?
STEP 5 · FEEDBACK — ASK ONCE IT ANSWERS
Out of 10, how good or accurate do you think this answer is?
Blank template — swap in your own job
Act like a [role], and give me [the outcome you want]. I am [doing this thing], and [the detail only you know]. Keep it to [length or format]. Before you write it, what else do you need to know from me to do a good job?
3
Quick practice
Something silly first — zero stakes, so you get the hang of it before using it for real.
Write an email to the Tooth Fairy chasing an overdue collection. It must be: urgent but not stressful. Firm but friendly. Short but detailed.
Write a short poem (5 lines or less) about why Hereford is a good place to work.
Your neighbour keeps parking across your drive. Write a message that addresses it without making it weird.
4
Notebooks: interrogate a document
Upload the QP-014 demo document (Ferroholm Metals) and put it through its paces.
Document
Download the QP-014 demo doc (Ferroholm Metals) →
Or use a non-confidential document of your own.
Ask three questions
A factual question with a definite right answer in the document.
Summarise this for me.
What's missing or unclear in this document?
Then try
Turn this into a podcast.
Turn this into an infographic.