The Simple Prompting Framework That Will Transform Your Copilot Results

When I first started using Copilot, I treated it like Google and asked it questions the same way I would type them into a search bar. Unfortunately, this approach is not very effective, and I found I was not getting much out of the platform. After taking some recent training from one of our partners (thank you Pax8) I now have a much better understanding of how to work with Copilot. It was not what I expected at all. 

When you work on a computer and you press the W key, you expect a W to show up on the screen. This is how we are used to using computers. The outcome is deterministic and always the same. 

AI does not work this way. AI is probabilistic, which means you will likely get a different answer every time based on probabilities and context. 

Because of this, the way you structure questions or prompts to Copilot becomes very important. A helpful template I have been using as a starting point is below. You can treat it like a Mad Lib and fill in the blanks. 

You are an expert in ___ with intimate knowledge of ___. You are tasked with assisting me with ___. You will start by ___ and then ___. Once completed, you will use your expertise and skill set to generate ___. Please make sure to leverage your skill set and expertise to ensure ___. 

If you are looking at Copilot more broadly in your organization, you may also find our article on getting your business ready for Copilot helpful. 

Example Prompt Input into Copilot 

Here is an example of the template in action: 

You are an expert travel agent servicing a couple in Vancouver that wants to get away somewhere warm in January. They want to go someplace warm without too much humidity that is not in the United States or Mexico. Given your expert nature, you have great suggestions and can carefully outline flight times and general budgets for one week away. Include a table that makes for easy comparison. Choose very safe locations with low crime. 

Be sure to give that a try the next time you open Copilot for Microsoft 365. 

Bonus Tip 

Once you have received the answer from Copilot, ask it the following: 

What context could I give you to provide a better answer? 

This simple follow up question often improves the quality of your results dramatically and encourages you to think more intentionally about what information Copilot needs. 

If you are thinking more about AI use across your business, you may also want to read AI Is Already in Your Business. The Question Is: Who's in Control? and Exploring AI? Do not Overlook the Security Risks. 

First Response from Copilot 

Here is what Copilot produced in response to the travel prompt: 

Sure, I can help with that. Here are some warm, low humidity, and safe travel destinations for a weeklong getaway in January. I have included flight times and general budgets for each destination to make it easy for you to compare. 

Suggested Destinations 

Marrakech, Morocco 
Weather: Mild and pleasant 
Safety: Generally safe with low crime rates in tourist areas 
Activities: Explore the medina, visit souks, enjoy local cuisine, and relax in riads 

Tenerife, Canary Islands 
Weather: Warm and sunny 
Safety: Very safe with low crime rates 
Activities: Beach activities, hiking in Teide National Park, cultural tours in La Laguna 

Barbados 
Weather: Warm with low humidity 
Safety: Safe with low crime rates in tourist areas 
Activities: Beach activities, surfing, exploring Bridgetown, and enjoying local cuisine 

Flight Times and Budgets (CAD) 

Detailed Breakdown (CAD) 

Marrakech, Morocco 

Flight Time: Approximately 15 hours with one or two layovers 
Average Roundtrip Flight Cost: $1,200 to $1,500 CAD 
Accommodation: $150 to $300 CAD per night for a mid-range hotel or riad 
Total Budget: $2,250 to $3,600 CAD for a week including flights, accommodation, and daily expenses 

Tenerife, Canary Islands 

Flight Time: Approximately 16 hours with one or two layovers 
Average Roundtrip Flight Cost: $1,100 to $1,400 CAD 
Accommodation: $120 to $250 CAD per night for a mid-range hotel 
Total Budget: $2,040 to $3,150 CAD for a week including flights, accommodation, and daily expenses 

Barbados 

Flight Time: Approximately 12 hours with one layover 
Average Roundtrip Flight Cost: $900 to $1,200 CAD 
Accommodation: $200 to $350 CAD per night for a mid-range hotel or resort 
Total Budget: $2,300 to $3,650 CAD for a week including flights, accommodation, and daily expenses 

These destinations offer warm weather, low humidity, and safety which makes them ideal for a relaxing getaway in January. 

Second Response After Asking for More Context 

After that first result, I asked Copilot: 

What context could I give you to provide a better answer? 

Here is what it said it would find helpful: 

• Budget: Total trip budget including flights, accommodation, and daily expenses 

• Interests and Preferences: Beach activities, cultural experiences, adventure sports, relaxation, and so on 

• Accommodation Preferences: Hotels, resorts, vacation rentals, or boutique accommodations 

• Travel Flexibility: Fixed dates or flexible travel range 

• Health and Safety Concerns: Any specific needs or constraints 

• Travel Experience: Whether the travelers prefer familiar destinations or unique ones 

• Dietary Preferences: Restrictions or food preferences that may influence destination choice 

Providing this type of context helps Copilot generate significantly more personalized and accurate suggestions. In other words, Copilot can tell you what it needs from you to do a better job. 

If you want to see another real-world example of Copilot in action, look at Maximizing Impact with Microsoft 365 Copilot: A Game Changer for Nonprofits. 

Conclusion 

Learning how to work effectively with Copilot can transform it from a basic question and answer tool into a powerful productivity and problem-solving partner. With the right prompts, the right context, and a willingness to iterate, Copilot can deliver clearer insights, better recommendations, and more efficient outcomes in your day-to-day work. 

If you want help bringing Copilot into your workflow or implementing AI tools across your organization, the Nucleus team is here to support you. Our consultants can guide you through readiness, configuration, training, and adoption, and make sure Copilot for Microsoft 365 is set up to work for your business. 

Contact us today to learn how we can help you get the most out of Copilot and modern AI.