This title is clickbait! It’s NOT about writing better prompts. To get the most out of ChatGPT and other AI language models, you don’t have to write better prompts, you just need to know what to write the prompts about.
You can either read this article or view the above YouTube video about how I now write better prompts in ChatGPT.
I will explain. But first, what’s ChatGPT?
What is ChatGPT?
The boring answer: it’s a large language model (LLM) that produces conversational applications using both supervised and reinforcement learning techniques.
The accessible answer: it’s a tool that can help you with ideas, planning, market research, content creation, learning, productivity, saving, personal development, and a whole lot more I probably haven’t even thought of yet.
What do I use ChatGPT for?
ChatGPT can also help you code or debug popular programming languages. However, as I’m not a coder and I’m writing predominantly for people who want to make money online and improve their online businesses. This is where I’ll be concentrating.
So far I’ve been using ChatGPT for the following:
- Coming up with ideas for content or products
- Keyword research (listing off keywords in various niches)
- Writing sales copy
- Help with writing blog posts and other articles (usually for ideas of what to write about rather than the actual writing itself)
OK, so here’s how you write better prompts.
Be specific and clear
Bad prompt: what low content books can I make and sell easily on Amazon?
Better prompt: A popular type of coloring book theme is mandalas. People love to color in black and white illustrations of mandalas. Give me a list of ideas of coloring book themes that could incorporate mandalas.
Online business is often about niching down and choosing obscure but poorly served niches in order to make money. Generalities bad; specifics good. ChatGPT is also like this.
It follows that you should ask open-ended questions and avoid yes/no questions.
Remember, it’s a chat bot, so … Chat!
If, at first you don’t get what you want after the first prompt, rephrase the prompt or add more details.
You have to experiment a bit.
It’s a conversation so engage in back-and-forth dialogue. Provide feedback. This is how it learns.
This is where ChatGPT’s user experience really trumps Bard and other AI chat bots. All your conversations are saved in the lefthand panel. And ChatGPT will “remember” what you’ve told it in earlier prompts in that chat history. And you can return to these “conversations” at any time. This is particularly important.
Break down the request
If you have a complex problem or need ideas on multiple aspects, break down the request into smaller, more focused prompts.
I often find I do this by trial and error (again, experimentation). Often, I have not realised how complex my issue is until I start asking ChatGPT questions. So, the need to break down subjects into smaller, more focused prompts becomes obvious.
More context = better results
This doesn’t mean your prompts need to be especially long or weighty. However, try to provide context to the question you are asking ChatGPT to solve.
For example, when you’re asking ChatGPT to write a sales page and in-depth description of the potential customers will really help.
Get the bot to think outside the box
If you’re getting some really bad and obvious responses from ChatGPT, you can just say, “please, can you come up with some more obscure / alternative / unconventional / out-of-the-box answers?” (You don’t even have to say “please”! 🙂 )
Seek out actionable ideas and processes
ChatGPT is very good at processes. But it can be a little like getting blood out of a stone sometimes.
If you’re looking for ideas or processes that can be implemented, specify that you want practical, actionable suggestions.
Oh, and it’s inspired me to write a book!
I vaguely asked ChatGPT to come up with ideas for books to help Gen X men in the US. (Well, I’m a Gen X man, but not from the US). And it came up with at least 3 titles that I thought I could write a book about and that were keywords I could successfully target on Amazon!
So, my new book is probably going to be about Reigniting The Creative Spirit In Men.
This is how I’m writing the book. I asked ChatGPT to first come up with the skeleton plan. It did. But I went away and completely rejigged it. I then go through each stage, subheading by subheading, and ask ChatGPT to come up with more ideas for each of these small areas. Then I write each bit myself. Bit by bit. I’m not actually getting ChatGPT to write the actual text of the book!
Conclusion
Above all, AI chatbots should aid and enhance your creativity and not replace it.
Almost everyday now I see a new AI application that absolutely blows my mind.
It occurs to me that one day, AI will be able to make a better Merch design than me…
One day, AI will be able to make a better coloring book than I can…
One day, AI will be able to write a better blog post than me…
One day, AI will be able to write a better book than me…
But, for sure, AI will NEVER be able to be a better ME than me!!!
For this reason, I think it’s more essential now that ever to create content and put it out online. We need people to know, like and trust us. We need to be genuine, individual and, above all human. Because, I think, we can only compete with AI with our humanity.
So, instead of being frightened or revolted by the potential of this new technology, it’s best to engage with it as best we can.
What do you think? Please put your comments in the comments section or shoot me a mail!
Mark Narusson says
Thanks for the insights Rob. I tend to agree that the more base info you can provide, then the better the answer. Chat GTP is really a great tool to help us but not replace us. Exciting times 😉
Rob Cubbon says
Indeed, Mark, I’m as excited about this technology as I was about the internet! 🙂 Thank you for your comment.
Jimm Burton says
Rob, I always appreciate your content. I’m glad you are back.
Excellent blog, I’ve just begun exploring AI and appreciate your content on the ways that it can help.
Rob Cubbon says
Thank you so much, Jimm, it’s great to be back.
David Withington says
Good to read your thoughts and experiences, Rob. I’ve experimented with Bard, and blogged about it, but haven’t yet tried ChatGPT. So that’s very helpful info. Thank you.
Rob Cubbon says
Hello there, David. I think we probably get used to one bot over another. For example, I’m really used to Midjourney as an image generator and I’ve been less happy with Dall-E and Leonardo. I’ve tried Bard a tiny little bit but I prefer ChatGPT, however that’s what I’m used to. 🙂
J says
Good to see that perhaps AI and these tools have sparked your enthusiasm for blogging and this sort of stuff again!
I need to get more experience with these tools as they sound really interesting.
Rob Cubbon says
Actually it wasn’t AI that sparked my enthusiasm. The story behind why and how I lost my enthusiasm is long, and for another day. It’s coming back and hopefully to stay. And the recent AI advances are a happy coincidence. Thanks for your comment, J.