How to Get ChatGPT to Work Its Magic for You

I don’t know about you, but every time I use AI tools like ChatGPT, I’m amazed at what they can do. It’s like having a little assistant who’s always ready to help, no matter what you’re working on.

But, like anything new, it takes a bit of practice to figure out how to get the most out of it. I'm still a novice but thought I'd share some things I've found useful so far.

Be Specific (Really Specific)

If there’s one thing I’ve discovered, it’s that ChatGPT loves details. The more specific you are, the better the answer. For example, if I asked it, “Write something about websites,” it would probably give me something generic (and not very helpful). But if I say, “Write 500 words about why websites are important for small businesses, focusing on SEO benefits,” then I get something I can actually use.

Think of it like explaining a task to someone for the first time. Be clear, be direct, and don’t assume it knows exactly what you want. It’s good, but it’s not psychic!

Tell It Who You’re Writing For

This one makes a huge difference in the response. If you tell ChatGPT about your audience, it’ll tailor its answers to suit them. For instance, if I’m writing a blog post for beginners, I’ll say,

“This is for people who have never built a website before, so keep it simple and explain the basics.” (I also add that these aren't stupid people as the first time I did this I got a response aimed at a 9 year old!!!)

If your audience is more advanced, let ChatGPT know so it can give you deeper insights or avoid the obvious stuff. It’s like having a chat with someone who adjusts their advice based on what you need.

Inject Your Personality

I’ll be honest—I’m still figuring out how to make sure everything I write feels like “me.” What I’ve found really helpful is asking ChatGPT to match my tone. For example, I might say, “Write this in a friendly, chatty tone that sounds like I’m talking to a friend over a cuppa.”

And if the response doesn’t feel quite right? I ask it to tweak things. Something like, “Make this a bit warmer and less formal,” works wonders.

Ask for Options

This is a trick I’ve started using when I’m stuck. If I don’t know exactly what I want, I’ll ask for ideas or suggestions. For example, “Give me five blog post titles about beginner-friendly WordPress themes,” or “Suggest three ways to explain what SEO is to a complete newbie.”

Once I’ve got a few ideas, I can pick the one that feels most ‘me’ or ask ChatGPT to expand on it. It’s a great way to get unstuck when your brain feels like mush.

Tweak and Adjust

One thing I’ve realised is that ChatGPT isn’t perfect right straight away. Sometimes the answers are spot-on, and other times they need a bit of work. And that’s fine! I see it as a brainstorming partner rather than someone (or something?) doing all the work for me.

If the first response isn’t quite right, I’ll say, “Can you make this a bit shorter?” or “Add an example to explain this better.” It’s all about giving feedback until it feels just right.

Use It for More Than Writing

This was a lightbulb moment for me! ChatGPT isn’t just for writing blog posts—it’s brilliant for brainstorming social media captions, drafting emails, or even coming up with a content calendar. I’ve even used it to help me figure out how to structure a training session and an action plan for the next 4 weeks in my business. Honestly, the possibilities are endless.

Remember AI tools like ChatGPT aren’t here to replace your creativity or expertise. They’re here to help. Whether you need a sounding board, a bit of inspiration, or just a little nudge in the right direction, it’s like having a helpful friend who’s always there (and never judges unless you ask it to!).

So, if you’re still feeling unsure, just start small. Ask it for ideas or get it to rewrite a paragraph you’re stuck on. Before you know it, you’ll be wondering how you ever managed without it.

It doesn’t matter how long your prompts are as long you get what you want. Keep tweaking until you get just right.

One thing I did so Chat GPT got to know ‘me’ was to ask it to interview me. I gave the answers and asked if it needed any clarification. To be honest, this may have been a mistake as it asked another 53 questions. I had no idea I was that interesting!!!

If you’ve got any clever ways you use AI, let me know. I’m still learning, and I’d love to hear your tips!

Have a splendiddly day

Jackie