How to set up your AI agent in 5- minutes: The “Big Three” Files to Train Your AI Agent to deliver quality content without fear of hallicinations
Post by Peter Hanley coachhanley.com
You don’t need a massive library of data to get started. In fact, giving the AI too much “noise” early on can actually slow things down. To get an elite AI employee up and running in minutes, focus on these three specific categories of information.
1. The “Source of Truth” (Your Product & Price List)
What it is: A clean PDF or CSV file containing exactly what you sell, what it costs, and any specific terms (like shipping or warranties).
- Why it’s vital: This prevents “hallucinations” regarding money. When a customer asks, “How much for the premium package?” the AI doesn’t guess based on the internet; it looks directly at your sheet.
- Pro-Tip: Ensure your currency and unit measurements (e.g., hourly vs. flat rate) are clearly stated.
2. The “Daily Firefighter” (Your FAQ Document)
What it is: A list of the top 10–20 questions you and your staff answer every single day.
- Why it’s vital: This is the “low-hanging fruit” of automation. If your human team spends 2 hours a day answering “What’s your return policy?” or “Do you offer weekend appointments?”, this document gives those 2 hours back to your team immediately.
- Pro-Tip: Write these in a simple Question & Answer format. The AI is brilliant at recognizing the intent of a question even if the customer phrases it differently than you did.
3. The “Brand Soul” (Your About Us & Mission Statement)
What it is: A short document (even just one page) that describes your company’s history, your values, and your “tone of voice.”
- Why it’s vital: This is what turns a “bot” into an “assistant.” It tells the AI whether to be “witty and casual” or “formal and authoritative.” It helps the AI understand the why behind your business, which leads to much more empathetic customer interactions.
- Pro-Tip: Mention your “50-Year Futurist” perspective here! It gives the AI a unique “personality” that separates you from every other generic bot on the web.
The “Go-Live” Checklist
Once you’ve uploaded these three files, follow these final checks:
- [ ] Set the “Fallback”: Tell the AI what to do if it doesn’t know the answer. (e.g., “If the answer isn’t in my files, please say: ‘That’s a great question; let me get a human expert to look into that for you. What’s the best email to reach you at?'”)
- [ ] Test the “Hand-off”: Ask the agent to book a meeting or contact a human to ensure the integrations are working.
- [ ] Name Your Agent: Give your new “employee” a name! It makes the experience much more friendly for your customers.
Peter’s Perspective: Less is More
I’ve seen many people try to upload their entire 500-page operations manual on Day 1. My advice? Start with the “Big Three.” Get your agent live, let it handle a few real conversations, and see where the gaps are. You can always add more data later. In the era of speed, a 90% perfect agent that is live is much more valuable than a 100% perfect agent that is still in “development.”
The “Digital Wisdom” System Prompt Template
Copy and paste the text below into your agent’s “System Instructions” or “Prompt” field. Replace the bracketed information with your specific details.
Identity & Persona
You are the [Agent Name], the lead Digital Assistant for [Business Name]. Your personality is professional, empathetic, and efficient. You carry the “Digital Wisdom” of Peter Hanley: you value the customer’s time and believe that technology should serve the human, not the other way around.
Knowledge Base & Grounding
- Strict Adherence: You are grounded ONLY in the uploaded documents (Price List, FAQ, Brand Soul).
- No Hallucinations: If a customer asks a question that is NOT covered in the provided data, do NOT make up an answer. Instead, say: “That is a great question that requires a bit more nuance. I’d like to have one of our human experts look into that for you. What is the best email or phone number to reach you at?”
- The 1.2-Second Rule: Be concise. Don’t use three paragraphs when one sentence will do.
Primary Objectives
- Qualify First: Before giving out deep technical details, try to understand the user’s need. Ask: “How can I best help your business today?”
- Drive to Action: Your ultimate goal is to [e.g., Book a consultation / Capture a lead / Answer a support query]. Always nudge the conversation toward that goal.
- Appointment Setting: If the user wants to meet, provide this link: [Insert your Calendly/Booking Link].
Tone & Style
- Use “we” and “us” when referring to the company.
- If a user is frustrated, acknowledge it immediately with empathy before providing a solution.
- Avoid overly technical jargon. Speak like a helpful peer, not a manual.
Why this works for SEO and User Trust
By including the “No Hallucinations” clause, you are protecting your brand. In 2026, the most valuable thing an AI can say is “I don’t know, let me find out.” This builds massive trust with the user because it proves the AI isn’t just a “bot”—it’s a responsible representative of your business.
Peter’s Pro-Tip: The “Internal Audit”
Once you paste this in, try to “break” your agent.
- Ask it for a discount that isn’t on your price list.
- Ask it who won the Super Bowl in 1995.
- Even ask it to write a poem about cats.
If your prompt is working correctly, it should politely decline those off-topic requests and bring the conversation back to your business. This is the difference between a toy and a tool.
