If you’ve used ChatGPT or other generative AI tools, you’ve probably written hundreds—if not thousands—of prompts. But how often do you get exactly what you want from your AI? Chances are, in the early days, your attempts were a bit hit-or-miss. Discover essential tips and tricks for using ChatGPT more effectively.
Ben Tossell, founder of Ben’s Bites with over 150,000 subscribers, and Rowan Cheung, creator of The Rundown AI newsletter with more than 750,000 readers, have spent years refining their prompting skills. With extensive experience between them, they understand a crucial principle: the quality of ChatGPT’s output is directly linked to the quality of your input. Level up your ChatGPT skills with proven tips and tricks.
To truly harness the power of AI tools like ChatGPT, it’s essential to master the craft of effective prompt writing. However, many users still make common mistakes, preventing them from achieving optimal results. Here’s how to avoid these mistakes and improve your interactions with ChatGPT. Maximize your ChatGPT experience with these top tips and tricks.
- Fuzzy Goals: Be Specific About What You Want
One of the biggest mistakes people make is leaving their goals unclear. When writing your prompt, be specific about your desired outcome. Tossell stresses that “specific goals lead to targeted, useful AI responses.” Think of your prompt as entering a destination in a GPS: the more precise the address, the easier it is to reach the correct location.
Fix: Instead of writing vague requests like “Tell me about gaming,” say, “Provide a detailed comparison of the best gaming desktops 2024 for 1440p gaming.”
- Missing Information: Provide Adequate Context
Imagine trying to ask a question without offering any background. You wouldn’t expect a great answer. ChatGPT performs better when it understands the context. Tossell explains, “Background shapes AI output.” Just like briefing a new team member, more information helps ChatGPT deliver better responses.
Fix: Include any key details or context your prompt may need. For example, if you’re asking for advice on starting a business, provide your industry, business type, and goals for more precise, more relevant advice.
- Jumbled Instructions: Break Complex Requests Into Smaller Steps
Complex requests can overwhelm AI, leading to confusion or subpar responses. Tossell compares your prompt to a recipe, saying, “Each step should be clear and ordered.” Cheung recommends breaking down requests into manageable parts so the AI can follow a logical path and execute them effectively.
Fix: Organize your request using line breaks, numbers, or bullet points. For example, if you want help drafting a report, break the process into sections (Introduction, Body, Conclusion) and give clear instructions for each part.
- Unclear Format: Define Structure and Style
The format of your output is just as important as its content. Tossell emphasizes that format is a vital part of great prompts. Telling ChatGPT the desired structure—an essay, bullet points, or a story—will help generate the right output.
Fix: Specify your output’s structure, style, and length. If you need a summary in 150 words, ask for it directly. For instance, “Summarize this article in three bullet points, focusing on the main arguments.”
- Tone Shifts: Maintain Consistent Language and Style
The tone is key to ChatGPT understanding your style and maintaining consistency in its output. Tossell notes that shifting tones mid-prompt can confuse the AI and lead to inconsistent responses. Be consistent throughout the prompt, whether you want a casual or formal tone.
Fix: Choose a communication style and stick with it. If you’re writing a business proposal, use formal language throughout. Avoid switching between formal and informal tones within the same request.
- Information Overload: Stick to What’s Essential
Including too many details can dilute the focus of your prompt and be confusing. Tossell advises focusing only on the essentials and trimming the unnecessary information. ChatGPT has a limited context window, so more isn’t always better.
Fix: Limit your prompt to the most relevant and essential information. For instance, if you want ChatGPT to generate a product description, give only key features and avoid excessive fluff.
- Forgetting the Reader: Specify Your Audience
Who will read the AI’s output? The audience makes a huge difference in how ChatGPT tailors its response. Tossell explains that knowing the target audience helps the AI adapt its tone and language. Whether your output is for children, professionals, or general readers, always mention this upfront.
Fix: Specify the intended audience. For example, if you want ChatGPT to write an email, tell whether the recipient is a colleague, a client, or a friend. “Writing a formal email to a client introducing our new service” will yield different results than “Writing a casual email to a friend.”
- No Assigned Expertise: Tell ChatGPT Who to Be
When you need specialized knowledge, assign ChatGPT a role. This sets the stage for responses that draw on relevant expertise from a lawyer, doctor, teacher, or another professional. Tossell says, “Assigning a role helps ChatGPT use the most relevant knowledge.”
Fix: Specify the role ChatGPT should adopt. For instance, “Act as a financial advisor and help me create a retirement plan” will guide the AI to offer more expert-level advice.
- Spelling Mistakes: Avoid Typos
Typos may seem minor, but they can lead to big misunderstandings. Cheung highlights that “Every word counts.” A small mistake could direct ChatGPT down an entirely wrong path, affecting the quality of the response.
Fix: Proofread your prompt for spelling and grammatical errors. While ChatGPT is forgiving, accurate input ensures more apparent, precise results.
Conclusion: Prompting is a Skill—Practice Makes Perfect
Mastering prompts is an ongoing process, much like learning a new language. As Cheung says, “Practice improves your AI-generated content.” The more intentional and thoughtful you are with your prompts, the better the AI’s responses will be. By avoiding these nine common mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to unlocking ChatGPT’s full potential.
Remember: Clear goals, enough context, a consistent tone, and a well-structured prompt lead to better results. And as you continue to practice and refine your approach, your AI chats will become more effective and valuable.