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get started with chatgpt: 3 core prompts.

Written by Derek MacDonald | Jun 16, 2024 6:00:00 PM

By now, ChatGPT is a household name.

AI offers a variety of benefits, particularly for busy professionals. It acts as a versatile digital assistant, capable of generating high-quality content quickly and efficiently.

While it can save you many, many hours of brainstorming and writing, it still isn't a tool that will "do it for you". Done correctly, ChatGPT can do a lot of leg work to save you time. You will still need to review and revise what it generates for you.

ChatGPT can help draft emails, create marketing copy, and even generate ideas for blog posts or social media content. Its ability to understand and respond to prompts in a natural, conversational tone makes it an invaluable tool for enhancing productivity, creativity, and overall communication.

at a glance.

Let's discuss the following:

  • Understanding the ChatGPT prompt structure.
  • Using 3 core prompts to get up and running (or refining your existing use).
  • Customizing your chat instructions.
  • Learning more resources to get started

 

6 Elements of a good Chat GPT prompt.

Like the order of operations to solving math problems, Chat GPT will read your prompt through its own order of operations to generate a response it thinks will fit best.

Here's what ChatGPT looks for when you submit a prompt — and the order it reads in.

  1. Task
  2. Context
  3. Exemple
  4. Persona
  5. Format
  6. Tone

It's worth noting that you do not need to include every element in your prompts.

 

3 Core Prompts to get started.

  1. Ask AI what you prompts to use.
    • Type the following:
      • Assume the role of a prompt engineer with over 20 years of experience. I am a [insert your role here] focused on [describe a goal or outcome you are working toward] . I am [include how you support the objectives, initiatives, or projects that are contributing to your goal].
    • Type the following:
      • Give me 10 ChatGPT prompts that will help me become more productive in my job.
  2. Delegate tasks and receive personalized insights.
    • Type the following to get personalized insights:
      • I’ll be sharing an article below on [description of topic]. How does the information in this article apply to [your job title] responsible for [outcome].
      • Here’s the article:
        • [paste text]
  3. Assign AI a role and engage in a Q&A to get specific information.
    • Type the following:
      • Assume the role of [include a job title] for the rest of this conversation. 
      • I’d like to engage in a Q&A session where you’ll provide insights, analyses, and answers based on the article/file/content provided.
      • If you understand, please respond with “yes”.

bonus: "ask me 5 questions that will improve the response you’ll be giving me”

setting up Custom Instructions.

Setting custom instructions with ChatGPT provides a tailored and efficient experience. Setting the right instructions is they key to getting valuable info. If you've gone to ChatGPT looking for help only to be disappointed by the corrective work needed to make the response usable, this is for you.

By defining specific needs and preferences, you ensure that ChatGPT's responses align closely with your unique requirements, whether it's drafting personalized emails, creating marketing strategies, or generating content that resonates with your voice.

This customization streamlines workflows, enhances productivity, and offers a more intuitive and relevant interaction, ultimately saving time and allowing you to focus on other things.

What would you like ChatGPT to know about you to provide better responses?

Use the prompts below to help identify the best info to include in your customized instructions.

  • First, go to chatgpt.com.
  • Next, go to the top right corner and click on your profile icon. You will then see the menu below.
  • Select "Customize ChatGPT"

 

 

  • You will then be presented with 2 text fields that you can fill out.

  1. What would you like ChatGPT to know about you to provide better responses?
    • This is a great place to use prompt 1 from our list of 3 prompts to get started with ChatGPT.
    • Prompt 1 required you to describe your role in your job so ChatGPT could give you questions that you could ask it to perform better at work.
  2. How would you like ChatGPT to respond?

    Sample Prompt: Analyzing Writing Styles
    [You can use this to help create your custom instructions]

    Type the following:

    I am going to share 2 blog posts written by [insert author]. Analyze the blog posts and give me a set of instructions I can use to write in exactly the same tone, writing style, humor, reading level, and delivery. Here are the 2 blog posts:

    Blog post 1: [paste text]
    Blog post 2: [paste text]

  • Based on the answers provided here, you will know what ChatGPT looks for in writing. Use this to help craft your own custom instructions for ChatGPT when working with you.

 
 

resources to get started.

Remember: here's what ChatGPT looks for when you submit a prompt — and the order it reads in.

  1. Task
  2. Context
  3. Exemple
  4. Persona
  5. Format
  6. Tone

You can learn more by checking out the resources below.