Don’t Just Prompt—Direct: Why Advisors Need to Master the AI Task

AI for Advisors newsletter

Quick take:

• Task defines the action that drives AI output.
• Clear tasks produce sharper, more relevant results.
• Each task type unlocks different AI capabilities.
• Task clarity turns AI into a focused, reliable assistant.

When working with AI, your task is where the action begins. It’s the part of the prompt that tells the model exactly what you want it to do. In the role–task format we’ve been exploring, this is the moment when intention becomes direction.

But what exactly is a task? And how do financial advisors use it to their advantage?

Let’s break it down.

The task is the ask that turns intent into action

In prompt design, a task is the specific action you’re asking the model to perform. It’s the part of the prompt that drives output—whether that’s writing, summarizing, comparing, or organizing.

You can frame it simply:

“I need you to create…”
“Summarize this…”
“Draft a…”
“Extract key points from…”

The task is the core directive—it sets the objective, defines the action, and guides the model’s focus and depth. Clarity and specificity are crucial. Instead of requesting “a report,” say, “Create a report on client satisfaction metrics for the last quarter.” With the right task, the difference in output quality can be dramatic.

Task types: Core categories

Each task type unlocks a different AI capability. Here’s a breakdown with examples tailored for both general users and financial advisors:

Many tasks combine these categories. For example, you might extract key points and generate a client-ready message in a single prompt.

More ways to use task-based prompting

As your prompting skills grow, so will the variety of tasks you can delegate to AI. Here’s a sample list of what’s possible. (Note the command verbs at the start of each task):

• Write and edit documents and emails
• Brainstorm content ideas
• Create surveys for data collection
• Analyze datasets for trends or outliers
• Organize and prioritize to-do lists
• Summarize meeting notes or recordings
• Build timelines and project checklists
• Improve workflows and boost productivity
• Draft summaries, bios, and cover letters
• Generate marketing strategies and themes
• Develop social media campaigns
• Personalize messaging for niche audiences
• Offer time management suggestions
• Provide critical feedback or refinement
• Simulate interviews or client conversations
• Mimic my writing style for consistency
• Generate prompts for specific tools or tasks
• Develop customer segmentation strategies
• Create content calendars for marketing
• Draft project plans with constraints in mind

Why task clarity matters

The clearer your task, the better the outcome.

Vague: “Help with this client meeting.”

Clear: “Summarize the key discussion points from this client meeting transcript in bullet form.”

With a clear task, the model knows what to do—and the output becomes instantly actionable.

A pattern that travels

Defining tasks clearly isn’t just an advisor skill—it’s a universal one. The same approach applies whether you’re in finance, marketing, law, or operations.

• Advisor: “Create a summary of this portfolio review in a professional tone.”
• Marketer: “Generate five subject lines for this email campaign.”
• HR lead: “Draft a personalized onboarding checklist for a new hire.”

The form is the same. The value is in the specificity.

Give AI its marching orders

If “role” gives the model perspective, task gives it direction.

For advisors integrating AI into daily work, learning to define the task with precision is a foundational skill. It turns AI from a clever assistant into a reliable collaborator.

So next time you sit down to write a prompt, ask yourself: What do I need it to do?

Then say so—clearly.

That’s where the real transformation begins.

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