How to Prompt Effectively in Microsoft Copilot
Unlock the Full Power of Microsoft Copilot with Better Prompts
If you’ve ever typed something vague like “Give me ideas for my business” into Microsoft Copilot and felt underwhelmed, you’re not alone. Many Northamptonshire businesses are only scratching the surface of what Copilot can really do—simply because they’re not prompting it effectively.
The good news? Microsoft has a proven framework that transforms Copilot into a smart, productivity-boosting assistant for your business. It’s called GCSE: Goal, Context, Source, Expectation.
The GCSE Formula for Perfect Copilot Prompts
- Goal – Be specific. Instead of “Give me a blog post,” ask “Write me a 500-word blog for small businesses in Northamptonshire about cybersecurity best practices.”
- Context – Tell Copilot why and who it’s for. Example: “This blog is aimed at Northamptonshire SMEs who want to protect customer data.”
- Source – Point Copilot to the right material, like internal documents, your website, or trusted guides.
- Expectation – Define the tone and format. Example: “Friendly, professional, with bullet points for quick reading.”
Example Prompt Transformation
❌ Weak prompt: “Give me activities to do in Paris.”
✅ GCSE prompt: “List 5 team-building activities in Paris suitable for professionals aged 25–35. Base recommendations on TripAdvisor reviews from the past 12 months. Keep the tone professional.”
Now imagine applying that same method to:
- Drafting proposals for Northamptonshire clients
- Summarising meeting notes for your SME team
- Creating content for your business website
Why This Matters for Northamptonshire Businesses
Time is money. By prompting smarter, your SME team in Northamptonshire can save hours every week, cut down on admin, and focus more on growth.
👉 Want to train your staff to use Microsoft Copilot effectively? Our team specialises in helping Northamptonshire SMBs get the best return on their Microsoft 365 investment.