The Concept: The AI Works Better After a Warm-Up
I want you to answer this next question honestly.
Ready?
Here goes: when you exercise, do you warm-up?
Now I know some of you are thinking, “pfft, I don’t even exercise!”
But I’m sure at some point in your life you’ve done something that counted as exercise. Even if it was just walking for 30 minutes.
Nope?
Okay, what about walking to the fridge? I guess if you do it enough and don’t actually eat anything inside, then that could pass as some exercise.
Anyway, here’s what I want to know. The last time you exercised, did you warm-up?
When I go to Planet Fitness, usually I’ll warm-up with some stereotypical stretches. Then I’ll put my arms over my head, twist my body side to side, touch my toes, etc.
Sometimes though, if I’m feeling adventurous, I’ll use the gym’s Total Body Enhancement machine. It has me stand on this weird vibrating plate that jiggles my whole body like crazy. It also has light tubes on the walls that shine red light, supposedly to help with wrinkles so I’m told.
After about ten minutes of and jiggling and Superman levels of solar radiation, I’m all warmed-up and ready to hit the weights.
The odd part?
I’ve noticed that my workouts are better after that warm-up.
I don’t strain my muscles anymore. I’m lifting heavier weights since my blood’s flowing, and I’m mentally prepared for the workout too.
Now here’s the weird thing…
The AI gets the same benefits if it also warms-up first.
No, it doesn’t lift more weights or anything like that.
What I mean is that the quality of the AI’s output is actually better after warming-up!
Let me show you how it works.
How It Works: Add a Warm-Up Task
The trick to warm-up trick the AI is super easy.
Start by writing your prompt. You can use my prompt blueprint if you need help.
Once you’ve written your prompt, add some extra language that tells the AI to first generate a piece of foundational knowledge related to your main goal.
So imagine you had to write some ad copy. You’d write your entire prompt, and add onto it:
Before you write my ad copy, first, briefly define the 3 key elements of persuasive writing.
Or you might need the AI develop unique brand voice documentation for each client that your freelancers can actually follow. You’d write your entire prompt, and add this onto it:
First, before writing the brand voice documentation, explain the considerations that should be considered when developing a unique brand voice.
Maybe you need to write a product description that’s unique, SEO-focused, and on brand. But the problem is that you don’t know anything about SEO. In that case, you’d write your entire prompt, and add something like this:
Before writing the product description, explain the things to keep in mind regarding SEO when writing a product description.
See how it works?
Now, if you’ve been going through this course, you might be wondering how this differs from Chain-of-Thought Prompting.
In chain-of-thought prompting, you tell the AI to think step by step, out loud. That’s it. You don’t add any extra things the AI should consider and write about before it starts writing the actual content you want.
But when you use this warm-up trick, you tell the AI to consider something first, and write about that consideration immediately before writing the content you want.
The reason this works on a technical level is because, just like chain-of-thought prompting, the warm-up trick triggers something called autoregressive generation, leading to higher quality output.
So which approach is better: chain-of-thought prompting or the warm-up trick?
Neither.
Each has its own unique use cases.
Use chain-of-thought prompting when the AI knows everything it should consider and write about, and so do you, and you just want higher quality output.
Use this warm-up trick when you don’t know everything about the knowledge domain you’re working in. For example, you need an SEO focused result but don’t know what SEO is, and you also want higher quality output.
Or use it when you want the AI to warm itself up on some knowledge (that you don’t want to add into your prompt manually) before writing the output you want.
Let’s look at a complete example.
The Warm-Up Trick in Action: Writing Ad Copy
You can use this warm-up trick in thousands of situations, but let’s imagine we need to create some Facebook ads for a pediatric telemedicine app. The ads need to feel premium and human, not generic AI-generated content that could damage your brand’s reputation.
I’ll show you the first example without the warm-up, and then I’ll do one with the warm up.
Example Without a Warm-Up
AI Prompt
[DETAILS OF THE APP]:
– KidCare Connect is a pediatric telemedicine app that connects parents with board-certified pediatricians 24/7
– Average wait time is under 3 minutes
– Costs $35 per visit (or covered by most insurance)
– Doctors can prescribe medications and send directly to pharmacy
– App includes photo/video capability for showing symptoms
– Has a “symptom checker” that helps parents decide if they need ER, urgent care, or can wait
– 4.8 star rating with 12,000+ reviews
– Founded by two pediatricians who are also moms
– Tagline: “Pediatric care that comes to you”
– Main differentiator: Only pediatric specialists, not general practice.
[DIRECTIONS]:
I need to write Facebook ad copy for a telemedicine app targeting busy parents.
Write three different Facebook ad variations for KidCare Connect. Each should have a headline, body, and call to action.
[3 FACEBOOK AD VARIATIONS]:
The prompt is pretty simple. Let’s see what we get.
AI Response
Variation 1: Emergency Peace of Mind
Headline: “When Your Child Gets Sick at 2 AM, We’re Here”
Body: Sick kids don’t follow business hours. Get instant access to board-certified pediatricians 24/7 – no waiting rooms, no scheduling hassles. Average wait time under 3 minutes. Our pediatric specialists can assess symptoms, prescribe medications, and send prescriptions directly to your pharmacy. Founded by pediatrician moms who understand exactly what you’re going through.
Call to Action: “Get Care Now – $35/Visit”
Variation 2: Convenience Focus
Headline: “Skip the Waiting Room. Your Pediatrician Comes to You.”
Body: Juggling work, kids, and everything in between? KidCare Connect brings board-certified pediatricians directly to your phone. Show symptoms through video, get expert care in minutes, and have prescriptions sent to your pharmacy – all from home. With 4.8 stars from 12,000+ parents, we’re the pediatric care solution busy families trust.
Call to Action: “Download Free App”
Variation 3: Parent Anxiety Relief
Headline: “Is It Serious? Get Answers from Real Pediatricians in Minutes”
Body: That moment when you’re not sure if it’s just a cold or something more serious… Stop second-guessing yourself. Connect with pediatric specialists who can properly assess your child’s symptoms through our secure video platform. Our built-in symptom checker helps you know if you need immediate care or can wait. Pediatric care that comes to you – because your peace of mind matters.
Call to Action: “Talk to a Pediatrician Now”
I mean, it’s not bad. At least it doesn’t look bad.
But could it be better?
Let’s find out by warming-up the AI.
Example Using a Warm-Up
AI Prompt
[DETAILS OF THE APP]:
– KidCare Connect is a pediatric telemedicine app that connects parents with board-certified pediatricians 24/7
– Average wait time is under 3 minutes
– Costs $35 per visit (or covered by most insurance)
– Doctors can prescribe medications and send directly to pharmacy
– App includes photo/video capability for showing symptoms
– Has a “symptom checker” that helps parents decide if they need ER, urgent care, or can wait
– 4.8 star rating with 12,000+ reviews
– Founded by two pediatricians who are also moms
– Tagline: “Pediatric care that comes to you”
– Main differentiator: Only pediatric specialists, not general practice.
[DIRECTIONS]:
I need to write Facebook ad copy for a telemedicine app targeting busy parents.
First, briefly define the best copywriting techniques to use when writing an advertisement, that make people actually stop scrolling and take action.
Write three different Facebook ad variations for KidCare Connect. Each should have a headline, body, and call to action.
[3 FACEBOOK AD VARIATIONS]:
Do you see the warm-up portion of the prompt? I underlined it so you can notice it better.
Obviously, you can adjust this to meet your needs. I just wanted to show you something simple to get the point across.
Now let’s check out the result:
AI Response
Best Copywriting Techniques for High-Converting Facebook Ads
Pattern Interrupts & Emotional Hooks: Start with something unexpected or a relatable pain point that stops the scroll. Use questions, bold statements, or scenarios that immediately resonate.
Specificity Over Generalities: Concrete details (like “3 minutes” vs “fast”) build credibility and make claims more believable.
Social Proof: Reviews, ratings, and testimonials create trust and reduce hesitation.
Clear Value Proposition: Lead with the biggest benefit, not features. Focus on the transformation or relief you provide.
Urgency/Scarcity: Create immediate need through time-sensitive language or limited availability.
Strong CTAs: Use action-oriented language that tells people exactly what to do next.
Three Facebook Ad Variations for KidCare Connect
Variation 1: Problem/Agitation Approach
Headline: “It’s 11 PM and Your Child Has a Fever. Now What?”
Body: Your pediatrician’s office is closed. The ER wait is 4+ hours. And you’re stuck googling symptoms at midnight, more worried than ever.
KidCare Connect connects you with board-certified pediatricians in under 3 minutes—24/7. No waiting rooms. No exposure to other sick kids. Just real pediatric experts who can prescribe medication and send it straight to your pharmacy.
Founded by pediatrician moms who get it. 4.8 stars from 12,000+ parents.
CTA: Download KidCare Connect – Get Peace of Mind Tonight
Variation 2: Social Proof/Testimonial Style
Headline: “12,000+ Parents Give This Pediatric App 4.8 Stars”
Body: “At 2 AM, my toddler was burning up with fever. KidCare Connect had me talking to a pediatrician in 3 minutes. She prescribed medication that was ready at CVS by morning. I felt so relieved.” – Sarah M.
Skip the ER wait times and expose to more germs. KidCare Connect brings board-certified pediatricians directly to your phone—24/7 for just $35 (most insurance accepted).
Founded by two pediatrician moms who understand that kids don’t get sick on schedule.
CTA: Join Thousands of Smart Parents – Download Now
Variation 3: Benefit-Focused/Solution
Headline: “Pediatric Care in 3 Minutes, Not 3 Hours”
Body: Finally—a pediatrician when YOU need one. KidCare Connect puts board-certified pediatric specialists on your phone 24/7.
✓ 3-minute average wait time
✓ Real prescriptions sent to your pharmacy
✓ Photo/video capability to show symptoms
✓ Smart symptom checker guides your decisions
✓ Only $35 per visit (insurance accepted)
No more guessing. No more waiting. Just expert pediatric care that comes to you—designed by pediatrician moms who’ve been there.
CTA: Get KidCare Connect – Because Kids Don’t Wait
Do you see what the AI did?
It warmed itself up by writing about pattern interrupts, emotional hooks, specifics over generalities, social proof, a clear value proposition, urgency, and a strong call to action.
The result is a lot higher quality than without the warm-up.
Now, obviously, you can dial this in and tweak the prompt to your liking. The example was just to show you that there’s a significant difference when you warm up the AI.
What do you think? I personally think it’s a night and day difference!
Advantages of Using the Warm-Up Trick
Using the warm-up trick has quite a few advantages depending on the situation.
- Grounds the AI’s Answer in Strategy: By asking the AI to generate knowledge upfront, the final output is based on sound reasoning, not just random pattern probability.
- Dramatically Improves Creative and Abstract Results: This is a big improvement for tasks that require creativity, like brainstorming, copywriting, or strategy development, where a “cold start” often leads to generic and uninspired ideas.
- Acts as a “Self-Correction” Mechanism: The AI establishes a logical framework or a set of rules for itself to follow, which makes its final answer more consistent, coherent, and less likely to contain errors.
- Forces a Deeper Level of “Thinking”: This pattern pushes the AI beyond simple information retrieval and encourages a more analytical and structured approach, leading to more insightful and valuable responses.