FROM THE BLOG

Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming a practical tool for financial advisors, helping draft emails, summarize market updates, and organize thoughts more efficiently. But one thing has become clear: the quality of the output depends heavily on how you ask. In other words, better prompts lead to better results. For advisors who are just getting started, the good news is you don’t need to be technical to improve your outcomes. A few simple adjustments can make AI significantly more useful in your day-to-day work.

Start with a Clear, Specific Request
One of the most common reasons AI responses fall short is because the prompt is too vague. When instructions are broad, the output tends to be generic and less actionable. Instead, take a moment to clearly define what you want. For example, rather than asking: “Write an email about the market.” You might say: “Draft a short, professional email explaining recent market volatility in a calm and reassuring tone for a long-term investor.” Notice the difference; by adding clarity around the purpose, tone, and audience, the response becomes much more relevant and usable.

Provide Context (Without Sharing Sensitive Information)
AI performs best when it understands the situation. Adding context, such as the general audience type or communication goal, helps tailor the response. That said, it’s critical to balance context with compliance and privacy considerations.

When using public AI tools:

• Do not include personally identifiable information (PII) such as names, account numbers, or specific client details
• Avoid sharing sensitive financial data or account-specific information
• Keep examples generalized and anonymized

For instance, instead of referencing a specific client, you might say: “Explain this concept to a client who is nearing retirement and is concerned about market fluctuations.” This approach provides enough context to generate a helpful response while maintaining appropriate safeguards.

Guide the Tone and Style
As advisors, how you communicate is just as important as what you communicate. AI can adapt to different tones; you just need to tell it what you’re looking for.

Consider specifying tone directly in your prompt, such as:

• Professional and concise
• Conversational and approachable
• Reassuring during periods of volatility

For example: “Summarize recent market activity in a clear, conversational tone suitable for a client update.” This helps ensure the output aligns with your communication style and client expectations.

Ask for Structure You Can Use
Another way to improve results is to define how you want the information organized. Structured outputs are often easier to review, edit, and incorporate into your workflow.

You might request:

• A short paragraph summary
• Bullet-point talking points for a client conversation
• A simple explanation followed by key takeaways

For example: “Provide three concise talking points I can use to explain diversification in a client meeting.” This saves time and makes the output immediately more practical.

Treat AI as a Drafting Partner
It’s helpful to think of AI as a starting point rather than a finished product. Rarely will the first response be perfect, and that’s okay.

You can refine the output by following up with additional prompts, such as:

• “Make this more concise.”
• “Simplify the language further.”
• “Adjust the tone to be more reassuring.”

This iterative approach often produces stronger, more polished results than a single request.

A Quick Reminder on Responsible Use
While AI can be a valuable productivity tool, it’s important to use it thoughtfully within the scope of your firm’s policies and regulatory requirements.

Keep in mind:

• Always review and validate AI-generated content before using it with clients
• Ensure communications remain accurate, compliant, and aligned with firm guidelines
• Avoid relying on AI for personalized financial advice or recommendations without proper review

Bringing It All Together
AI has the potential to streamline many aspects of an advisor’s workflow, from drafting communications to organizing ideas. The key is learning how to guide it effectively. By being more specific, adding appropriate context, defining tone, and refining outputs, you can turn AI into a practical tool that supports your day-to-day work, while staying mindful of privacy and compliance considerations. Like any skill, prompting improves with practice. Starting with these simple techniques can help you get more consistent, useful results right away.

Stay secure,

Marco Galvan
Director of IT

Posted by Prospera Financial