ChatGPT, Baby Birds, and Ongo Mode: AI Like You’ve Never Used It (Maybe)
The Elephant in the Chatroom – Why AI Adoption Isn’t Quite the Office Rager We Expected
AI. It’s like that new hire with an acronym-heavy title (probably with “data” in it) who suddenly seems to have all the answers. Naturally, we’re left wondering, “Is this confident newcomer here to help us or replace us?”
Thankfully, not only is it here to help, but you’re also its boss. It can tackle most of the soul-sucking tasks so you can focus on the real creative magic.
Let’s be real—AI promises endless efficiency, but most of us are running on fumes, and adding a whole new way to work feels like just another demand.
?For all the agency folks asking, “Why aren’t you adopting this faster?”
Well, chief, when you’re working 50+ hours a week, juggling ankle-biter projects, putting out fires, signing birthday cards, playing nice with account, and jamming on a new biz pitch, experimenting with AI isn’t at the top of the list.
Good news—I’ve done a little wrestling with the learning curve for you. So, get’cha bibs on, ’cause I’m about to baby-bird you some tasty AI tips.
?P.S. Just like ChatGPT, Greg can make mistakes. Check important info.
Choose Your Path
Explore each path below or pick the sections that interest you most for a tailored journey on how AI can transform your creative workflow.
Path 1: Meet the Modes
Let’s introduce the “spice” factor: Personality modes. AI doesn’t have to be dry and robotic; you can give it a variety of personalities, letting you add a little fun to the process and maybe even enjoy some entertaining feedback.
Here are a few of my go-to modes that I enable based on what I’m working on:?
Ongo Mode (Inspired by Ongo Goblogian)
Prompt: How’s this headline for an entrance sign at a creative conference: “Only the bold survive.”
Response:
"I see what you're trying to do. But this-this is derivative. Derivative! Where's the chaos? You want something that'll jolt them awake like a double espresso served in a lightning bolt. Try this: 'Create. Destroy. Repeat.' No, wait! 'Beautiful Disasters Only Allowed!’ Now that… is art."
Ru Mode (Inspired by RuPaul)
Prompt: "How do you feel about 'Stand Out Loudly' as our tagline?"
Response:
"Yaaaas! Honey, that's got some flair, but we can go bigger! How about 'Unapologetically You'? Or 'Make Every Day a Show. You want them gasping at the fabulousness of it all. Own it, make it bold, and don't look back."
Beast Mode (Inspired by Marshawn Lynch)
Prompt: “I’m stuck between two taglines for our new athletic line: ‘Run the Game’ and ‘Power Moves Only.’ Thoughts?”
Response:
"Look, I’m just here so you can win. 'Run the Game,' that's all mindset, bruh. That's where winners live. But if you wanna run straight through someone's face with your words, 'Power Moves Only! That's where it's at, boss."
Joan Mode (Inspired by Joan Rivers)
Prompt: "Here's my tagline idea: 'Unlocking Potential Every Day.' Thoughts?"
Response:
"Oh, honey, I love you, but did that tagline get lost on its way to a Hallmark card? 'Unlocking Potential'? Please. Give me something with teeth! How about, 'Potential is Nothing Without Guts'? Or, I don't know, 'Dare to Disrupt! Listen, I'm here for you, but you're better than this."?
BobbyRo Mode (Inspired by Bob Ross)
Prompt: "I'm working on a slogan for a wellness brand, something soothing yet inspiring. Any thoughts?"
Response:
"Oh, I think you're onto something beautiful here. How about, 'Find Your Peace, One Breath at a Time'? Or maybe, 'Embrace Every Moment's Color! Remember, there are no mistakes, only happy little adjustments. Just let it flow, and it'll come together just as it should."
Path 2: The Power is in the Prompts
Getting the most from ChatGPT is all about giving it enough context. Think of it this way: when you ask vaguely, it’s like when a client says, “I don’t know why, but this is falling a little flat—can you do something to make it pop?” Specifics would go a long way! AI responds best to detailed prompts.
"Put good in, get good out." – A V8 Commercial? ????
Here’s an example of how to craft a prompt that improves your chances of getting exactly what you need.
Prompt Examples:
Blah Prompt: “I need ideas for an email newsletter promoting a product launch.”
Better Prompt: “I’m writing an email newsletter to promote the launch of our new eco-friendly cleaning product. I want the email to be engaging, introduce the product’s benefits, and include a call-to-action. Target audience is eco-conscious consumers in their 20s and 30s.” And For Context: This email will be sent to a mailing list of subscribers who already engage with our sustainable lifestyle blog. Many of them value eco-friendly alternatives but are also budget conscious. The goal is to present this product as an effective and affordable solution while keeping the tone casual and inspiring.
The takeaway? Over-explain!
AI can’t read your mind, so providing rich context improves the response. Even simple things like noting the tone you’re aiming for, the platform it’ll be on, and any brand guidelines help ChatGPT deliver more relevant ideas.
Path 3: The Safe Zone
Let’s kick off with some “safe zones” where AI can actually help without posing any risk to your job, data security, or creative soul. Think of these as “assistant tasks” where AI is less of a menace and more of a helpful sidekick.
Email Drafts, Professional Replies, and Friendly Feedback Example:
You can ask ChatGPT to draft an email update to a client, compose a friendly reminder, or, my favorite, rephrase feedback so you don’t sound like an asshole. Creatives know the struggle—feedback can come off a little harsher than intended.
Simply prompt with something like, “Make this Workfront comment sound constructive and friendly: ‘This slide layout is confusing, and the colors look like horseshit,’”
Translation: “Could we explore a layout that highlights the main points more clearly? Maybe a different color scheme could add some contrast and make it easier to follow.”
Ideation for Headlines and Subject Lines Example:
Whether it’s a catchy headline for an ad or an email subject line that needs to stand out in inboxes, AI can generate several options for you.
Simply input, “I need subject line ideas for a holiday campaign email that encourages sign-ups,” and it will churn out variations.
Tailor the request if you need a specific tone, like playful or professional, and let AI do the brainstorming to get you started.
Set a Meeting/presentation Agenda Example:
If you’re preparing for a client meeting and want to cover several topics but stay within a strict time limit, let AI help structure the agenda.
For instance, input, “I need a 45-minute agenda to cover a new campaign proposal, updates on current projects, and open time for Q&A,” and AI can suggest a clear breakdown with approximate timings, helping you stay on track and ensure you cover all key points.
Path 4: AI for Brainstorming and Ideation
AI can’t replace your best ideas, but it can offer starters that give you a fresh perspective. Consider these examples of safe, low-risk ideation with ChatGPT:
Creative Alternatives Example:
When you’re stuck on a single concept, ask AI for variations. If you’re developing a tagline, you might prompt, “Give me alternative taglines for a campaign centered on innovation and exploration.”
It will generate multiple taglines, helping you explore different angles and possibly stumble on a winning idea.
Tone Tweaking Example:
You have a draft ready but want to see how it sounds in different tones. Ask AI to rephrase something assertively, conversationally, or even humorously. Let's say you’ve written, “Our product improves productivity.”
You could ask ChatGPT to rephrase it with a more playful tone and receive something like, “Our product turns your workday into a breeze!”
Story Starters and Themes Example:
Struggling to come up with a theme or story framework for a campaign? Describe your goals to AI: “I need a story arc for a campaign that celebrates small business owners and promotes our new product line.”
AI might generate ideas around themes of resilience, pride, or customer success, giving you a jumping-off point for brainstorming.
Path 5: A Balanced, AI-Assisted Creative Process
Let’s talk about how these tools fit into the bigger picture of your creative workflow without taking over. Remember, AI is a co-pilot—not the driver.
Ideation Example:
Start your brainstorming session by using AI to get fresh ideas. Use prompts that spark initial inspiration, such as “Generate creative concepts for a brand campaign focused on sustainability.” AI can help you cast a wide net of ideas before narrowing them down with your team.
Refinement Example:
Once you’ve got a concept, use AI to refine specific elements. If your copy isn’t landing right, ask for adjustments: “Make this tagline sound more approachable and inviting.” AI can also suggest ways to tighten language or shift tone based on feedback from stakeholders, making the refinement process faster.
Final Review Example:
AI is great for a final polish. Ask it to proofread for typos, grammar errors, or redundant phrases. You could also request a summary of the project’s main points to ensure your messaging aligns across all channels, helping your team confirm that no key details were overlooked.
Tip: If you want a review without any structural changes, be specific in your prompt. Try: “Please review this for grammar and typos, making only essential changes for clarity, but keep the structure, flow, and word count as close to the original as possible.”
Before You Leave,
AI won’t replace your instinct, and it won’t do the thinking for you. But if you give it a chance, you might find it’s a tool worth having. Enable a personality mode you’ll love, delegate those safe tasks you’d rather avoid, and let AI lighten the workload—even if it’s just for the non-ass-holish feedback translation.
And who knows? Give it a week or two, and you might just find yourself thinking of AI as the sidekick you didn’t know you needed but now can’t imagine working without.
Or, worst case? You’ll be writing LinkedIn articles about AI that nobody probably cares about. “Ooooh, you got 300 impressions, but only 3 likes? What the hell is that about?”
P.S. If you’re looking to add a creative writer/strategist/AI enthusiast to your team, holla atcha boy.
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