Use Format to Get AI Output You Can Actually Use

AI for Advisors newsletter

Quick take:

• Format tells the AI how to present its response.
• Choosing the right format turns generic output into usable content.
• Financial advisors can save time and elevate professionalism by mastering format design.
• Clear format instructions ensure AI outputs match your intended use.

Say it right: How format makes or breaks your AI prompt

If Role gives your AI prompt perspective, and Task gives it direction, then Format determines how the final product shows up on your desktop. And for financial advisors using AI as a productivity partner, this often-overlooked piece can make all the difference.

Let’s be clear: Even a great idea poorly formatted can slow you down. But with a well-specified format, your AI assistant can deliver results that are not only useful—but ready to share, present, or implement.

What is format?

In AI prompting, format means the structure, style, or layout of the AI’s response. It tells the model exactly how you want your output delivered—whether that’s a table, a list, an email, or something else entirely.

Think of it as the difference between:

“Summarize the meeting.”
vs.
“Summarize the draft client meeting agenda as a table and use bullet points for key points to cover.”

Same task. Very different outcome.

Why it matters

Prompting without format is like asking a chef to “make dinner” and getting a potluck surprise. Format helps ensure the response you get is ready for the moment you need it.

• Need a quick report? Ask for a summary in bullet points.
• Want to copy it straight into email? Ask for a client-ready draft.
• Comparing products? Request a table with labeled rows and columns.

Every time you define the format, you eliminate guesswork and get closer to “done.”

Format in action: Advisor-specific examples

Format gives shape to content—and for advisors, each format solves a different real-world challenge. Here are some advisor use cases that show how powerful this can be:

List for prompting AI

Whether you’re prepping for a client meeting, drafting internal notes, or organizing data, clearly specifying the structure helps the AI give you exactly what you need. Below is a comprehensive list of formats you can use in your prompts to shape both the look and utility of the output.

Lists and notes

• Bullet point list
• Numbered list
• Step-by-step instructions
• Pros and cons list
• Key takeaways or highlights

Data and analysis

• Table
• Comparison chart (as a table or markdown list)
• CSV file
• Spreadsheet-ready output
• Timeline or Gantt-style breakdown
• Scorecard format
• KPI dashboard (text-based)

Documents and text blocks

• Email (formal, friendly, follow-up, reminder)
• Summary or briefing memo
• Executive summary
• Report or client-ready deliverable
• Agenda or meeting outline
• FAQs section
• Talking points

Communication and content

• Social media post
• Blog post draft
• Newsletter section
• LinkedIn article
• Podcast script
• Webinar outline
• Slide headlines or bullets

Technical or structured outputs

• JSON format
• XML format
• YAML
• Markdown
• LaTeX (for equations or academic formatting)
• Code snippet (Python, HTML, etc.)

Interactive or learning

• Quiz or poll
• Flashcards (e.g., Q&A pairs)
• Decision tree format
• Self-assessment checklist
• Visual storyboard outline

By specifying the format up front, you skip the back-and-forth and land on something you can use right away.

Best practices for using format

• Be specific: Don’t say “format nicely.” Say “present as a bullet list” or “generate a three-column table.”
• Match the audience: Use plain language and clean formats for clients. Use structured or technical formats for internal workflows.
• Give examples: For complex formats, include a model like:
  “Format the table like this: Name | Risk Level | Projected Return.”
• Check output: AI can usually follow formatting instructions, but always scan for clarity, accuracy, and tone before sharing.

Bringing it all together

Format completes the RTF trifecta: Role–Task–Format.

It’s the part of your prompt that makes your AI assistant usable in the real world—whether you’re prepping for a client meeting or planning your next marketing campaign.

Want to get better results with AI? Don’t stop at what you want it to do.
Tell it exactly how to show it.

Because sometimes, how you say it is everything.

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