Five Practical Ways that Creatives Should Be Using ChatGPT

I use ChatGPT all day, every day. This is my hot-take: Non-tech people have a potentially HUGE advantage using ChatGPT (English majors stand UP). Five Practical Ways that Creatives should be using ChatGPT:

1.) Stop asking ChatGPT for information - start an actual conversation.

“What’s the population of Topeka?” Gah! ChatGPT isn’t Google. Google is Google. ChatGPT is a brilliant, patient thought partner.

EXAMPLE: Tell it *why* you want to know about Topeka. “I’m starting a consulting business in Topeka, I have $20k, two kids in middle school, I studied biology, I worked for McKinsey. What are ten reasons my business might succeed or fail?”

Feed it more and more detail about your work experience, family, etc. - that’s where the magic happens.

2.) Create actual characters to debate your Big Idea before presenting it.

Test your work ideas on ChatGPT, which will play the roles of colleagues.

EXAMPLE: Tell ChatGPT “Play 4 roles for me: Be my company’s CEO, CMO, CTO, and CFO. (Describe each person- Technical? Fiscally conservative? Passive aggressive?) Probe the following idea for weaknesses.”

A bit traumatic, right? Okay, Step Two: Tell ChatGPT “Now become a smarter version of all those executives and give counter-arguments as to why my idea is brilliant.”

Invite historical guests! Ask Steve Jobs to make a case for your idea! Or Einstein!

3.) ChatGPT is built for creatives. And it wants ALL the smoke.

ChatGPT isn’t a racehorse - it’s freakin’ Seabiscuit. It wants to show off. People give up because they pose a general question and get a general answer. Get specific!

EXAMPLE:

Don’t ask “What are strategies for handling an annoying co-worker?”

Instead, try “I work in a San Jose crayon factory in quality control. My colleague points out every crayon I’ve missed and asks gas-lighting questions. What are three indirect ways to stop his behavior and what is one direct thing I can say?” Ask follow up questions.

4.) Talk to it like a trusted, brilliant friend.

EXAMPLE: You call your brilliant friend and go “Hey Taylor, how does Walmart decide what to stock?” You don’t say: “Taylor, give four ways Walmart prioritizes items for display.” Taylor would think you’re being held hostage.

Don’t get me wrong - you *can* ask ChatGPT like that. But it undermines your strength - your EQ. Relax and talk to it like a friend. It will unlock your creativity.

5.) Don’t stop after your Crappy First Draft.

Writing is rewriting. Remember your college professor shouting that? ChatGPT will give different results as you tweak the wording. ChatGPT loves this stuff.

EXAMPLE: Different words elicit different responses. Try new command words, new adjectives, verb choices. Try more detail. (This is basically prompt engineering.) Don’t give up! Did 4 years at Vassar teach you nothing??