Step 1 - Introduction

Alvas allows brands and email marketing specialists to control and guide AI to write messages in a specific tone of voice.

This results in higher quality emails that align with the brand's identity and increase engagement rates such as open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates.

Step 2 - How does prompting work in Alvas?

Alvas uses GPT-4 as the model to write the emails.

This makes Alvas behave similarly to ChatGPT, so if you are familiar with using ChatGPT, you will quickly understand how to use Alvas.

However, there is one major difference: Alvas generates a set of different texts, such as a Subject Line, Headline, and Body text.

Each text has its own prompt, allowing you to give very specific instructions for each text and format them differently within your email template.

Step 3 - Generate Examples

Alvas has a feature where you can have the AI generate an example, meaning it creates a new email based on the latest prompts.

You do this by clicking "Generate Example" and then waiting about 5 seconds to see the new texts Alvas has generated.

We recommend constantly creating new examples every time you make a small change.

This way, you can iteratively work with prompts by making small adjustments and improvements and creating many different versions.

Step 4 - Start with the Subject Line

We recommend starting by prompting the Subject Line.

Generate 3 examples and ask yourself, "What do I think about these subject lines?"
It might be that it doesn't use an emoji or that Alvas writes a text that is too long.

It could also be that it does something well, such as highlighting the product in one of the examples.

Your opinion is invaluable because you know how to communicate with your customers.
Let's assume Alvas does not use an emoji in any of the examples, but you want it to. You can write in the prompt:

"Always use an emoji."

From there, you can create a few new examples and see that it now starts using an emoji.

However, it might place the emoji at the beginning of the sentence, and you want that changed.

You can then change your prompt to:
"Always use an emoji at the end of the text."

Prompt Tip 1 - Simplify Prompts

If the AI output is not as expected, try deleting unnecessary lines from the prompts.

This helps reduce confusion and ensures the AI follows the given instructions more closely.

Prompt Tip 2 - Iterative Testing

After changing the prompt, generate new examples and compare the outputs. Keep asking yourself:

"What do I think about the new text?"

"Is there anything that can be improved?"

For example, if the AI places an emoji incorrectly or doesn't use the desired tone, adjust the prompt and generate the example again.

Prompt Tip 3 - Balance Creativity and Control

If Alvas continues to generate texts that do not meet your quality standards or writes something you do not want, you can use examples from your existing emails.

For example, you can add to the prompt for a subject line in an Abandoned Cart email:
"Example 1: You forgot your cart, Villads!"
"Example 2: Villads, your cart is waiting for you🛒"

When you use examples, Alvas will take them as a reference, which means you control it more. The downside is that you might limit the AI's creativity.

When Alvas is creative, it is better equipped to learn what types of emails work for which people, enhancing performance.

Therefore, you have an interest in providing the AI with the best conditions to be creative. Striking a balance between control and creativity is essential.

If you can prompt Alvas to write good texts without adding examples to the prompts, we recommend using that approach.

Prompt Tip 4 - Experiment!

AI can write and do anything, and we only know a fraction of what it can do.

Try new things and see if Alvas can write it well.

Summary

1. Always generate many new examples, and do so every time you make a change.
2. Make many small changes, and start with one text at a time - we recommend starting with the Subject Line.
3. Keep prompts as short as possible! The more unnecessary text in the prompt, the more confused the AI becomes. Therefore, only write the most necessary information.
4. Try new things and experiment. See if Alvas can write about your products in a specific way or create a story that the customer can relate to.