The Buzz: How to Chat Up ChatGPT
March 2024
Every month, almost 7,000 Americans Google how to write an effective ChatGPT prompt, a skill which by some accounts will one day be one of the most valuable to any organization. Inquiring minds want to know, especially when they stumbled around with tantalizing — albeit frustrating — results.
Here’s what some of the experts advise.
- Ask ChatGPT to “take on the persona” of a knowledgeable insider whose expertise you want to consult. Sharon Kerr in the Public Relations Society of America’s Strategies & Tactics offers this example: “Take on the persona of a financial analyst well-versed in biotechnology and advise how you would cover [insert company name] after receiving the following earnings report,” which of course you then attach.
- David Gewirtz of ZDNET suggests talking to ChatGPT “like you would a co-worker or team member,” so you can have a conversation, with back and forth to help you get the best information.
- Establish rules — or make suggestions if you want to be painfully polite about it. “Whenever I ask a question, recommend a better question and ask if I’d like to use it instead.” Or: Whenever I request a press release, use as little jargon as possible, and refer to ‘patients’ as ‘people with X disease’ instead.”
- Provide context. Gewirtz offers this model: “I am a business owner interested in exploring how blockchain technology can be used to improve supply chain efficiency and transparency. I am looking for a clear and concise explanation of the technology and examples of how it has been used in the context of supply chain management. Can you explain the concept of blockchain technology and its potential applications in supply chain management?”
Remember, finally, that it is called “Chat” for a reason. Consider it a conversation, one that can continue until the answers you seek are supplied. You can even argue. Ask if there is any real evidence to support some information ChatGPT has provided. Sometimes, the answer is “No,” and ChatGPT will actually apologize. Gewirtz prefers something more tactful, such as “Why do you think that?” or “What evidence supports your answer,” and here too, he says, ChatGPT will apologize “for making stuff up and come back with a new answer.” And if an answer isn’t helpful, ask the same question again. “ChatGPT will often change its answer with each ask.” Or start all over, and fresh responses might result.
Pretty soon, unless some other app or platform supplants it, your relationship with ChatGPT will be like the one you already have with Alexa or Siri. Consider it a friendship and interact with it the way you would your favorite office mate. Before you know it, you’ll be getting coffee together, or at the very least you’ll be getting coffee based on an informed recommendation from a trusted friend.
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Remember, finally, that it is called ‘Chat’ for a reason. Consider it a conversation, one that can continue until the answers you seek are supplied. You can even argue.
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