Getting the best out of ChatGPT
By Eran Malloch
14th August 2023
How to get a great article out of ChatGPT
I see a lot of people struggling to get high quality content (articles, blog posts, etc.) out of ChatGPT.
In most cases, it’s because you are not giving it better guidelines to help write your content.
Most people just instruct it with something simple like:
Write me a blog post (or article) about Dog training. Make it fun and interesting.
Occasionally they’ll also try to instruct it on the length of the article.
For example, write me a 500 word article, or write me a long article, etc.
The problem with these kinds of prompts is that you’re largely leaving it up to ChatGPT to decide what to write and that’s when you end up being disappointed with the end result.
What you should do instead is use a structured framework that lists all (or most) of the elements you want in your article.
That way, it has a detailed direction to follow and will almost always give you a better quality output.
I have seen a variety of frameworks out there that help with this, and a lot of them are very good. However, I figured I’d ask GPT itself what it wants, so I don’t forget anything important.
This is what it came back with:
Certainly! Crafting a quality and accurate article requires a comprehensive understanding of the topic and the intended audience. Here’s a breakdown of the essential information needed:
- Article Title: This sets the tone and provides a clear indication of the article’s main topic. A compelling title can also attract readers.
- Target Audience: Knowing who the article is intended for helps tailor the content, tone, and style. For instance, an article for teenagers would be written differently than one for industry professionals.
- Goal/Purpose of the Article: What do you want to achieve with this article? It could be to inform, persuade, entertain, or a combination of these.
- Key Points/Topics to Cover: A list or outline of the main points or topics that the article should address ensures that the content remains focused and comprehensive.
- Tone and Style: Should the article be formal, casual, humorous, or authoritative? The tone should match the topic and resonate with the target audience.
- Preferred Length: Specify the word count or range. This helps in determining the depth and detail of the content.
- Research Sources (if any): If there are specific sources, studies, or references you want to be included, provide them. This ensures accuracy and lends credibility to the article.
- Restrictions or Limitations: Are there topics or points you want to avoid? Any sensitive issues to be handled with care?
- Keywords (for SEO): If the article is for online publication, providing keywords can help optimize it for search engines.
- Call to Action (CTA): If you want readers to take a specific action after reading the article (e.g., signing up for a newsletter, purchasing a product), specify the desired CTA.
- Formatting Preferences: Do you prefer short paragraphs, bullet points, subheadings, or any other specific formatting elements?
- Images or Graphics: Indicate if you want images, charts, or infographics included and provide guidelines or sources for these.
- Deadline: When do you need the article by? This ensures timely delivery.
- Feedback Loop: Establish a process for reviewing drafts and providing feedback. This ensures the final article aligns with your vision and expectations.
- Additional Context: Any background information or context that can help in understanding the topic better or any personal experiences or anecdotes you’d like to be woven into the narrative.
By providing these details, you ensure the writer has a clear roadmap to craft an article that is not only engaging and well-written but also accurate and tailored to the intended audience.
NOTE: You don’t HAVE to use all 15 items, but use the ones that seem most relevant. You could typically leave #12 (images/graphics) out of the framework until (if?) GPT has image creation built in. Also, you can leave out #13 (deadline) because it will typically write it as you ask it. I’d also usually leave out #14 (feedback loop) as that is a more complex use case. Not to say you shouldn’t do this, but for a normal article, I would just give additional instructions after I read the article if something needs changing.
Also, be aware that GPT is not great at counting words currently, so if you say (for example) write me a 350 word article, you might end up with a 287 word or 419 word, etc. Don’t rely on this for #6 above.
Just for fun, try instructing gpt to write in the style of a specific comedian, or to write in poem or rap format. ?
I hope this helps. If you have any questions, feel free to ask and I’ll do my best to answer them—Eran Malloch.