The Mistake That Makes AI Feel Unreliable

Jan. 13

It’s usually not the tool — it’s the way the question is asked.

Hey there,

A lot of small business owners tell me the same thing.

AI feels helpful one minute…
and frustrating the next.

Sometimes it gives a great answer.
Other times it feels generic, off-target, or just plain unusable.

That inconsistency is usually where people give up.

Here’s the important part most people miss:
AI isn’t actually unreliable.

The instructions are.

Most of us open AI and type whatever comes to mind:

• Rewrite this
• Help me with this
• Make this better

Then we expect clear, consistent results.

That’s like giving vague directions to a new employee and being surprised when they guess wrong.

What’s Really Going On

AI responds directly to the clarity of the request.

Loose prompt → loose response
Clear direction → useful output

It’s not about being “good” at AI.
It’s about being clear.

Once you understand that, the frustration drops fast.

What I Do Differently

Before I hit enter, I pause for just a second and think about three things:

1. Who is this for?
2. What do I actually want done?
3. How should it sound?

That tiny pause saves more time than almost any trick or shortcut.

A Real, Usable Example

Instead of typing:

Rewrite this email

I’ll say:

Rewrite this email for small business owners. Keep it friendly, clear, and practical. Short paragraphs. Plain language. The goal is clarity, not cleverness.

Same email.
Better output.
Far less editing afterward.

That’s not advanced prompting.
That’s just giving direction.

Why This Matters for Small Businesses

Small business owners don’t have time to babysit tools.

If AI takes longer to fix than to just do the task yourself, it won’t stick — and it shouldn’t.

Clear prompts mean:

• Less back-and-forth
• Less frustration
• Faster results

That’s when AI starts earning its place in your workflow.

The Real Lesson

AI doesn’t reward clever prompts.
It rewards clear ones.

When AI feels inconsistent, it’s not a sign to quit.
It’s a signal to slow down and give better direction.

Once you do, AI stops feeling unpredictable and starts feeling dependable.

One Simple Thing to Try Today

Before your next AI request, add just one clarifying sentence:

• Who it’s for
• Or what “good” looks like

You’ll notice the difference immediately.

👉 Want help learning how to give AI clear direction for your specific business?

AI Success for Small Business – Discovery Call

Practical guidance. Real use cases. No pressure.

See you soon,

Skeeter Hansen
Founder, Twister Hub AI
Certified AI Consultant
Helping small businesses use AI simply, practically, and confidently