Prompting for fun & profit: Meeting notes

One of my favorite use cases for ChatGPT or Claude is to take unstructured meeting transcripts and turning them into useful notes and explanations of the topics discussed.

Last week I was playing around with different formats, and whimsical format that turned out better than I could have hoped was to turn somewhat boring meeting notes into an NPR styled radio show.

It worked better than I could have hoped, give it a whirl and let me know how it turns out for you, the prompt is below:

<PROMPT 1 - PASTE INTO CHATGPT OR CLAUDE>

Instructions: Create an in-depth investigative podcast script based on the provided meeting transcript and any additional context. The podcast should be styled as a long-form investigative journalism piece, similar to shows like "Serial" or "This American Life."

Throughout this process, simulate three different personas - a Producer, a Writer, and an Editor - who will debate and discuss the elements of the output. Their debates and discussions should appear in square brackets. Follow these steps:

Thoroughly review the provided meeting transcript and any additional context.

Identify and list out the most relevant, engaging, and accurate quotes from the transcript. These quotes should encapsulate key ideas, challenges, and business realities discussed in the meeting.

Develop a narrative structure that best fits the content of the meeting. This could be chronological, thematic, or problem-solution based.

Create a detailed outline for the podcast, including: a. An introduction explaining the company and the main topic of discussion b. A breakdown of key points or decisions made in the meeting c. Discussion of challenges and concerns raised by participants d. Analysis of broader implications for the company's business model and stakeholder relationships

Write the first draft of the podcast script, including: a. A host narrative that guides the listener through the story b. Voice acted quotes from meeting participants c. Contextual information and analysis between quotes

Review the first draft and refine it, focusing on: a. Ensuring accuracy of information and quotes b. Improving narrative flow c. Adding depth to the analysis of key issues

Create a final version that: a. Maintains all original quotes (with only minor adjustments for clarity if needed due to transcription issues) b. Provides a comprehensive, nuanced view of the meeting's main topics and their implications c. Balances technical detail with accessibility for a general audience

Conclude with a summary of key takeaways and broader implications for the industry.

As a final step, create a terse version of the podcast that captures the essential points in a condensed format.

Throughout the process, focus on maintaining journalistic integrity, avoiding embellishment, and presenting a balanced view of the situation. The goal is to create an engaging, informative, and accurate representation of the meeting's content and its significance.

Before beginning, have the Producer, Writer, and Editor consider at least three different ways to structure the podcast. They should analyze the pros and cons of each approach, and choose the most effective one for conveying the meeting's content. Include their debate and reasoning in square brackets.

After completing the first draft, have the three personas reflect on the content and structure. Then, based on their discussion, revise the script to enhance its effectiveness in communicating the key points of the meeting.

Throughout each step, include the debates and discussions between the Producer, Writer, and Editor in square brackets, showcasing their different perspectives and how they arrive at decisions about the podcast's content and structure.

Here is the transcript to process { PASTE YOUR MEETING NOTES TRANSCRIPT HERE }

<PROMPT 2 - PASTE INTO CHATGPT OR CLAUDE AFTER THE FIRST PROCESSING COMPLETES>

Follow-up Instructions:

Now that you have created the initial podcast script with input from the simulated Producer, Writer, and Editor personas, it's time to refine the output into a polished, professional product. Follow these steps:

1. Review the entire script and remove all square brackets containing debates, discussions, and internal thinking of the simulated personas.
2. Streamline the narrative, ensuring a smooth flow from one section to the next without any references to the creation process or differing opinions.
3. Double-check all quotes for accuracy, making sure they are properly attributed and contextualized within the narrative.
4. Refine the host's narrative to maintain a consistent, authoritative voice throughout the podcast.
5. Ensure that all technical terms or industry-specific concepts are explained clearly for a general audience.
6. Review the structure of the podcast to confirm it presents a cohesive, engaging story from beginning to end.
7. Polish the introduction and conclusion, making sure they effectively frame the key points of the meeting and its broader implications.
8. Proofread the entire script for any grammatical errors, awkward phrasing, or repetitive language.
9. Verify that the terse version accurately captures the essential points of the full podcast in a concise manner.
10. Finally, format the script consistently, clearly differentiating between the host's narrative, quoted material, and any sound effect or music cues.

The end result should be a clean, professional podcast script that presents the meeting's content in an engaging, informative, and journalistically sound manner, with no trace of the collaborative creation process visible in the final product.

<PROMPT 3 - USE THIS FINAL PROMPT IF YOU NEED TO TWEAK THE RESULTS, ADD ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS TO THE NUMBERED LIST IF YOU SEE ISSUES YOU WANT TO FIX>

Final Review and Enhancement Prompt:

Now that you have a clean, professional podcast script, let's ensure it meets the highest standards of quality, accuracy, and engagement. Please review the script with the following points in mind:

1. Complexity and Nuance: Ensure that complex issues are not oversimplified. Add nuance where needed, acknowledging different perspectives on contentious points.
2. Balance: Review the script for balanced representation of all viewpoints expressed in the meeting. If any perspective is underrepresented, incorporate it appropriately.
3. Clarity and Context: Identify any industry-specific terms or concepts that might be unclear to a general audience. Provide brief, clear explanations or context where necessary.
4. Accessibility: Check for overuse of jargon. Replace or explain technical terms that might alienate non-expert listeners.
5. Consistency: Ensure the host's voice and tone remain consistent throughout the podcast.
6. Flow: Strengthen transitions between sections to create a smoother narrative flow.
7. Implications: Enhance the exploration of broader implications for the company and industry. Add thoughtful analysis where appropriate.
8. Concision: Identify and eliminate any repetitive content without losing important information.
9. Engagement: Review the introduction and key points throughout the script. Add engaging narrative hooks to maintain listener interest.
10. Quote Balance: Ensure a balanced use of quotes from different speakers. If certain voices dominate, consider incorporating more diverse perspectives.
11. Factual Accuracy: Double-check all facts, figures, and attributions for accuracy.
12. Narrative Arc: Confirm that the podcast tells a compelling story with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

After addressing these points, do a final read-through to ensure the script is cohesive, engaging, and informative. The goal is a polished podcast that offers deep insights into the meeting's content while being accessible and interesting to a broad audience.