ChatGPT and IT Communication: Why the "Prompt Engineer" Role is Not Just a TikTok Trend & Why You Should Get Better At Asking Questions

Hello my fellow IT Content Creators, Strategists, and Employee Experience Professionals!

Last week, I wrote a quick intro about ChatGPT and how it can be used for content creation. This week, I wanted to dive a bit deeper into content creation and show you the power of asking ChatGPT better questions.

Have you seen those TikTok videos talking about the new role called "Prompt Engineer"? While we don't all have to become certified "Prompt Engineers," and most of these TikTok's refer to the creation of this role as a joke, I do think that asking better questions is becoming increasingly important as AI technology evolves. And from my own experience with ChatGPT, I've found that the quality of questions I ask really makes a huge difference in the quality of the results I get.

So, let me show you two examples of how to ask for the same thing, but with vastly different results.

By the end of this post, you'll be armed with the knowledge to ask better questions and get the most out of ChatGPT for your content creation needs.

Let's start with the bad:

Imagine asking ChatGPT to help you create a script for a video, but you're not sure what to say. Here's what might happen:

You: Hey ChatGPT, can you help me create a script for a video?

ChatGPT: Sure thing! What's the video about?

You: It's about our new product.

ChatGPT: Okay, can you tell me more about the product? What does it do?

You: It's a tool for businesses.

ChatGPT: Alright, can you be more specific? What kind of businesses is it for?

You: All kinds.

ChatGPT: I see. Can you tell me anything else about the product or the video you have in mind?

You: Not really, I just need a script.

This conversation doesn't provide enough information for ChatGPT to create an effective script. It's unclear what the product does, who the target audience is, or what the goal of the video is. Plus, it's not very engaging, is it?

Now, let's look at the good example:

You: Hi ChatGPT, I need your help with creating a script for a video.

ChatGPT: Of course, I'd be happy to help! What's the video about?

You: It's about our new product launch.

ChatGPT: Great! Can you tell me a bit more about the product? What makes it unique?

You: It's a new software tool for project management. It's designed to help teams work more efficiently and collaborate better.

ChatGPT: That sounds interesting! Who is the target audience for the video?

You: Our target audience is project managers and team leaders.

ChatGPT: Okay, got it. And what is the goal of the video? Are you trying to educate the audience about the product, generate interest, or something else?

You: The goal is to generate interest and encourage people to sign up for a free trial.

ChatGPT: Perfect. Now, can you tell me about any specific messaging or tone you want to convey in the video?

You: We want to emphasize the benefits of the tool, but we also want to keep it light and engaging.

ChatGPT: Got it. Based on our conversation, I have a good idea of what you're looking for. Is there anything else you'd like to add or any other questions I can answer for you?

You: No, that's great! Thank you so much for your help.

This conversation provides much more context for ChatGPT to work with. We now know what the product does, who the target audience is, and what the goal of the video is. Plus, it's more engaging and friendly, making it a more pleasant experience overall.

But, what if you're worried about sharing sensitive company data?

That's a valid concern. You can still ask ChatGPT to create a video script without revealing any confidential information by providing generic descriptions of the product or service and using fake scenarios or examples.

To create an effective video script using ChatGPT, you need to ask the right questions, provide context, and protect sensitive data.

Remember, AI is a tool that should enhance our work, not replace it. Asking better questions is the key to unlocking its full potential and driving innovation forward.

By being mindful of these factors, we can get better results from AI tools like ChatGPT. Ultimately, the goal is to leverage these tools in a way that makes sense for our businesses and use them to their full potential.

So, I leave you with the following questions to ponder:

1. Is there a risk of overreliance on AI tools like ChatGPT for content creation?
2. If I use ChatGPT or other AI tools for content creation in my work, how do I properly cite or credit the use of AI technology?

Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section. If you would like to chat about any of the topics discussed, feel free to send me a message or let me know down below.