How do I write effective writing prompts for ChatGPT?

Enhance your business content: Crafting dynamic prompts for ChatGPT

So you’re ready to embrace the cool new AI kid on the block - ChatGPT - but have no idea where to start??

Maybe you’ve dabbled with writing prompts, but struggle to produce halfway decent content for your business??

Or maybe you’ve been too scared to even log in…

I hear ya! When I used ChatGPT for the very first time, I was oblivious to the tactics required behind-the-scenes to use it effectively. I just typed a quick one line request - then told everyone around me how poor the results were.?

But I soon learnt that I was doing it all wrong…

This article will address the core basics when it comes to writing prompts for ChatGPT - so you can get your desired results for your business!

What is ChatGPT and why should you use it?

Let’s start at the beginning.

ChatGPT is an advanced AI-powered tool that can help business owners with their content creation and communication needs. It uses a sophisticated language model to understand and generate human-like text based on the prompts you provide.

So it’s important to note here - getting the writing prompts right is key to effective usage of the tool.

In simpler terms, it's like having a virtual assistant that can write content for you. Whether you need blog posts, social media updates, or even email responses, ChatGPT can assist by suggesting ideas, writing paragraphs, or even generating full pieces of content.

The beauty of ChatGPT is that it can save you time and effort.?

You can streamline your content creation process, improve communication with your customers, and free up valuable time to focus on other aspects of your business.?

And instead of struggling to come up with ideas or spending hours writing, you can ask ChatGPT to provide you with creative and engaging text. It can help you generate content that resonates with your audience, communicates your message effectively, and enhances your brand image.

Having said all that, nothing beats human input. So I highly recommend reviewing and editing everything it provides to ensure you’re creating unique content.

So please don’t stop using your beautiful brain!?

Where and how do I access ChatGPT?

It’s very easy. While there are a few different ChatGPT platforms, the most well-known is OpenAi. You can access it for free via OpenAi here. (We’re all beta testers at the moment!)

Then set up a login or just use your Google or Facebook account.

What does a good ChatGPT writing prompt include?

Using ChatGPT is pretty straightforward. But you definitely need to put some thought into the prompts you enter into the ‘Send a message’ bar.?

When creating a ChatGPT prompt, it's essential to include specific information to guide the AI model effectively.?

Here are some key elements to consider:

• Clear context - Set the stage by providing a clear overview of the topic or scenario you want to explore. Provide relevant examples to help the AI understand the context of the conversation.
• User instructions - Clearly outline the desired action or response you expect. For example, you might ask for a creative idea, a solution to a problem, or an explanation of a concept.
• Background information - If necessary, include relevant facts, previous discussions, or specific details about the user or situation.
• Tone of voice - Do you want the piece written in a professional or humorous tone? A cool thing to note here - you can ask ChatGPT to ‘pretend to be an expert in XYZ’ when providing responses - and it will!
• Style - Is the copy for entertainment purposes only - or persuasive?
• Audience - Who will be reading the content? Be as specific as possible.
• Structure - Mention approximate word count, headings, dot points, etc.
• Call to action - What should the reader be encouraged to do next?

Crafting an effective ChatGPT prompt is a balancing act.?

You want to provide enough information to guide the AI while also leaving room for creative and diverse responses. In many cases, experimentation and fine-tuning is necessary to optimise the prompts for the desired outcomes.?

We’ll talk about the fine-tuning process shortly.

ChatGPT writing prompt examples

Let’s delve into what a prompt could look like.

So I entered the following request:

In a professional tone, write 300 words convincing small business owners why it’s important to use a mix of expert copywriters and ChatGPT. Include headings, dot points, and a powerful conclusion.

Here’s ChatGPT’s response (completely unchanged by me):

The Power of Combining Expert Copywriters and ChatGPT: Boosting Your Small Business's Success

Introduction: In the fast-paced digital landscape, small business owners face the challenge of effectively engaging and converting customers amidst fierce competition. To stay ahead, it's crucial to utilize a mix of expert copywriters and cutting-edge technologies. By combining the unique strengths of human creativity and the limitless potential of AI, small businesses can unlock a powerful advantage that drives growth and success. Here are compelling reasons why incorporating both expert copywriters and ChatGPT is vital for your business:

I. Expert Copywriters: Harnessing the Art of Persuasion a. Tailored Communication: Skilled copywriters possess a deep understanding of your brand, target audience, and marketing goals. They craft compelling messages that resonate with your customers, effectively conveying your value proposition. b. Emotionally Engaging Content: Copywriters have a knack for creating emotionally resonant content that captivates and motivates customers. Their ability to evoke emotions through language helps build strong connections with your brand. c. Adaptability and Creativity: Expert copywriters are adaptive problem-solvers. They can customize their writing style and tone to suit different platforms, ensuring a consistent brand voice across channels. Their creativity enables them to produce unique, memorable content that stands out.

II. ChatGPT: Unlocking the Potential of AI Assistance a. 24/7 Availability: ChatGPT operates round the clock, providing instant support and interaction with customers. This ensures your business is always accessible, enhancing customer satisfaction and boosting conversions. b. Scalability and Efficiency: As your business expands, ChatGPT can handle increasing customer queries without compromising quality. It efficiently manages repetitive tasks, freeing up valuable time for your human team to focus on more strategic activities. c. Personalized Customer Experiences: ChatGPT can analyze vast amounts of data to deliver personalized recommendations, offers, and responses. It enhances customer satisfaction by tailoring interactions and understanding individual preferences.

Conclusion: In the dynamic business landscape, a combination of expert copywriters and ChatGPT creates a winning formula for small business owners. Leveraging the power of human creativity and AI assistance unlocks immense potential to captivate customers, drive conversions, and scale your business effectively. While expert copywriters infuse your brand with tailored communication and emotional resonance, ChatGPT ensures 24/7 availability, scalability, and personalized customer experiences. By embracing this strategic fusion, your small business will thrive in the digital realm, outshining competitors and achieving sustainable growth. Don't miss out on this transformative opportunity to propel your business towards unparalleled success.

My thoughts on Version 1…Don’t be afraid to make tweaks!

First of all - you can see Americanised/Americanized spelling has been used…which is an important thing to watch out for if writing for Australian audiences.?

Apart from that - it’s well-written, but it doesn’t really suit my tone of voice. Personally, I got bored of reading it after the first 2 lines!

It’s because I used the word ‘professional’. So it went ahead with corporate speak.

So - I tried again with a slightly different prompt:

In a conversational, bubbly tone, write 300 words convincing small business owners why it’s important to use a mix of expert copywriters and ChatGPT. Include headings, dot points, and a powerful conclusion.

Here’s the result (Once again, completely unchanged):

The Perfect Blend: Why You Need a Dash of Expert Copywriters and a Sprinkle of ChatGPT for Your Small Biz!

Hey there, small business owners! Want to know the secret sauce to supercharge your success? Well, grab a seat and listen up because I'm about to spill the tea on why you need a mix of expert copywriters and ChatGPT to take your biz to the next level! Let's dive right in, shall we?

Whizbang Heading: The Magic of Expert Copywriters

? Tailored Communication: These word wizards know your brand inside out! They craft messages that speak directly to your audience, making them feel like you're reading their minds (in a totally non-creepy way, of course).

? Emotionally Engaging Content: Picture this: customers falling head over heels for your brand. Expert copywriters have the power to sprinkle magic dust on your content, turning it into emotionally captivating stuff that leaves an everlasting impression.

? Adaptability and Creativity: These wordsmiths are like chameleons—they adapt their writing style to different platforms, ensuring your brand voice shines through wherever you go. Plus, their creative brilliance ensures your content stands out like a flamingo in a flock of pigeons!

Whizbang Heading: The AI Fairy Godmother—ChatGPT

? 24/7 Availability: Imagine having a tireless assistant that never sleeps or takes vacations! ChatGPT is here to save the day, offering round-the-clock support and interaction with your customers. Say hello to satisfied customers and boosted conversions!

? Scalability and Efficiency: As your biz grows bigger, so does the workload. But fear not! ChatGPT can handle an avalanche of customer queries with ease, leaving your human team with more time to conquer the world (or, you know, focus on strategic stuff).

? Personalized Customer Experiences: ChatGPT is like a mind reader, only better! It crunches data like a pro to provide personalized recommendations, offers, and responses. Your customers will feel like they've got their own personal shopping genie!

Powerful Conclusion:

Mixing the creative brilliance of expert copywriters with the tireless assistance of ChatGPT is the recipe for success your small biz needs! With expert copywriters, you'll have tailored communication, emotionally engaging content, and unmatched adaptability. And with ChatGPT, you'll enjoy 24/7 availability, scalability, and personalized customer experiences. So go ahead, sprinkle some copywriter stardust and let ChatGPT work its magic. Get ready to slay the competition, win hearts, and achieve biz nirvana like never before. Cheers to your sparkling success! ???

My thoughts on Version 2…Much better!

Okay - I don’t know about you, but that second version was pretty awesome! And it sounds a LOT more like me.

Sure, I’d change a few things here and there. (*Cough* Americanised spelling *Cough*) But ultimately, I could take this copy and rework it slightly and I’d be pretty happy.

And I only changed a couple of words in the writing prompt!

How do follow up prompts work in ChatGPT?

Writing effective follow-up prompts for ChatGPT is crucial for guiding the conversation and obtaining the desired responses.?

Here are some tips that might help you:

1. Ask for more information or clarification - Don’t be afraid to ask the AI to expand or offer more clarification on the information provided. Especially if you asked for 1,000 words and it stopped after 600. (This could be due to exceeding the 3,000 token limit)?

E.g. ‘Please continue’ or ‘Please expand on the above explanation.’

2. Seek alternative perspectives or solutions - Encourage the AI to think critically and explore different viewpoints by asking follow-up prompts that invite alternative approaches or solutions. This can stimulate creativity and generate diverse responses.

E.g. ‘Please re-write the above copy so it’s aimed at teenagers.’

3. Request examples or evidence - If the AI's response seems abstract or lacks concrete examples, ask for specific instances, case studies, or evidence to support its claims. Just be wary of the results and double check any resources or links provided. It might make up dummy links!

E.g ‘Could you please provide 3 examples of the above statement?’

4. Seek justification or reasoning - If ChatGPT provides an opinion or recommendation, ask it to explain the reasoning behind its response. This encourages the AI to provide logical justifications and helps uncover the underlying ‘thought’ process. It also prepares you for any possible objections from your client!

E.g. ‘Why did you say XYZ?’

5. Encourage creativity - Try posing follow up open-ended questions or prompts that inspire the AI to think creatively and explore innovative ideas or solutions. This can lead to more imaginative and unexpected responses.

E.g ‘Imagine there are no limitations. How would you approach this problem differently?’

Remember to provide enough context and guidance in your follow-up prompts while leaving room for the AI's autonomy and creativity.?

Refining your prompts based on the AI's responses can help you find the right balance to achieve the desired outcomes in the conversation with ChatGPT.

Sounds all really cool, right? But yeah - inserting the best possible writing prompts for ChatGPT is crucial if you want it to actually save you time in the long run. So there is a little bit of extra effort involved here.

But it’s worth it!

Need extra guidance?

I’d love to invite you to my upcoming FREE webinar on Maximise your ChatGPT experience to save time and make more sales - Friday 2nd June, 12pm-1pm AEST. Register here!

Alternatively, you can book in a free 15 minute virtual tea with me to discuss our ChatGPT editing, copywriting, or content marketing services.