How to Write More Advanced Prompts for ChatGPT

If you've ever tried getting ChatGPT to give you a truly helpful answer, you know that sometimes it nails it, and sometimes... well, not so much. The secret sauce? It's all in how you ask. Buckle up, because today, we're diving into the art of crafting top-notch prompts to get the best output from ChatGPT. Spoiler alert: It's all about the details.

Background

Before we jump into the nitty-gritty of crafting stellar prompts, let me give you a quick heads-up. Throughout this post, I'll be using examples related to my pop-culture podcast, Geek Girl Soup. We've been dishing out episodes since late 2011, diving deep into various genres, eras, and trends in film and TV. With a loyal following of pop culture enthusiasts, we cover everything from cult classics to the latest releases, always keeping our discussions fresh and engaging.

And guess what? We’re not just about the old-school grind; we embrace the future with a hearty dose of AI. We use Descript for editing, ChatGPT for crafting show notes and naming episodes, and a combo of ChatGPT and Adobe Photoshop for our episode cover art. AI has become our trusty sidekick, helping us streamline our workflow and keep our content top-notch. Now, let's get into those prompt examples and see how you can make AI work for you!

Why Good Prompts Matter

Think of ChatGPT as a super-talented, slightly eccentric assistant. It can do amazing things, but only if you give it clear instructions. Give it a half-baked prompt, and you'll get a half-baked answer. Let's break this down with some real-life examples from Geek Girl Soup.

Example 1: Requesting Episode Topic Suggestions

Basic, Ineffective Prompt:

"Can you give me some ideas for my podcast?"

Why It’s Meh:

Vague, uninspiring, and leaves ChatGPT guessing.

Best-Practices Prompt:

"I host a pop-culture podcast called Geek Girl Soup with two other co-hosts. We publish an episode once a week, picking a theme each week and watching movies or TV shows based on that theme. Our audience consists of pop culture enthusiasts who enjoy deep dives into various genres, eras, and trends in film and television. We also briefly cover entertainment news and upcoming releases. Can you suggest some episode themes that would engage our audience? Please include a mix of classic and contemporary themes, and consider upcoming movie or TV show releases."

Why This Rocks:

1. Specificity: No room for ambiguity here—ChatGPT knows exactly what you want.

2. Context: Helps ChatGPT get the vibe of your podcast.

3. Content Preferences: Points ChatGPT in the right direction.

4. Additional Elements: Keeps it interesting with news and releases.

5. Variety: Ensures a good mix to keep your content fresh.

Example 2: Analyzing Episode Themes and Popularity

Basic, Ineffective Prompt:

"Can you analyze my podcast episodes?"

Why It’s Meh:

Vague and leaves ChatGPT in the dark.

Best-Practices Prompt:

"I host a pop-culture podcast called Geek Girl Soup. We want to analyze our episode themes to understand which ones are the most popular with our audience. I have included a dataset that includes each episode's theme, title, and popularity metrics such as number of listens, downloads, and user ratings. Could you help analyze this data to identify trends and insights?”

Why This Rocks:

1. Clear Objective: ChatGPT knows exactly what the mission is.

2. Context: Sets the stage for a deeper analysis.

3. Data Description: Gives ChatGPT the tools to do the job.

4. Offer Data Upload: Keeps things flexible and thorough.

General Best Practices for Writing Prompts

1. Be Specific: Don’t beat around the bush. Spell out what you need.

2. Provide Context: Give ChatGPT the backstory. It loves a good backstory.

3. Detail Content Preferences: Got preferences? Lay them out.

4. Include Examples: Show ChatGPT what you’re looking for. Examples are your friends.

5. Request Variety: Mix it up. Ask for a range of ideas.

6. Be Clear and Concise: Keep it tight, but informative. Clarity is key.

Conclusion

Writing killer prompts for ChatGPT isn't rocket science, but it does take a bit of finesse. With these tips and examples, you'll be able to coax the best responses out of ChatGPT, whether you're brainstorming podcast themes, seeking help with getting a job or promotion, looking for an awesome recipe based on what’s in your fridge, or diving into data analysis. Give these strategies a whirl and watch your interactions with ChatGPT go from "meh" to "wow."