ChatGPT Thoughts (For Writing Better)
If you want to use ChatGPT, you need to learn how to feed it well. So, here are some tips for using ChatGPT to write better, before using it to write for you.
I am on a ChatGPT kick on TikTok and Instagram, and I have more thoughts than the allotted 1-3 minute time stamps on videos. So, in the name of being a writer, I am writing about it. To you. Take what serves you. <3
As a copywriter, I am constantly asked about my thoughts on ChatGPT. Now, I’ll be honest. When it first came out, I was…skeptical, for lack of better words. I didn’t really think what it gives is/would be credible, and I also understood that it is learning from everything we feed it (more on that later). While I saw many people actively using ChatGPT, I didn’t try it until 3 months or so after its release date.
Now, I use it weekly — as an asset.
What does that mean, exactly, and why the pendulum shift?
The Pendulum Shift
The first time I used ChatGPT, it wasn’t even to write for me. It was to make some book recommendations based on what I was currently reading. Then, I used it to help me brain dump some soulmate client info for my freelancing course, Funnel Cake Freelancing. Then, after some more playing around, I started using it to help me write client blog articles.
It became pretty obvious to me how ChatGPT could help me write more, quicker, so that’s what I began using it for (and still use it for).
I think one important discussion around using ChatGPT, as a freelance writer, is the transparency that is shared with your clients. Now, I don’t think you have to give them your scripts, prompts, or conversations inside this AI platform…but I do think you shouldn’t hide using it, nor how you are using it. Personally, I do not use ChatGPT to write client work that I submit. However, I do use it to build outlines, talking points, examples, and starting work. Regardless, I ALWAYS edit, elaborate, and cull through the writing it gives before ever sending it anywhere else. Aka, I use ChatGPT as an asset to my skills, not a replacement.
Using ChatGPT As An Asset
Because I realized this AI tool could help me write more, quicker, I began using it more and more and more…for wayyyyy more than just writing. (You can use it for anything with words, truly: cooking recipes, sources, workout splits, marketing plans, book recommendations…)
The problem I, too often, see with using ChatGPT for writing is that writers, business owners, and clients are using it as a way to replace their own skills instead of complimenting them.
For example, asking ChatGPT to ‘write a sales page for my brand new offer The Booty Bootcamp for Beach Bums’, copying the output into your Kajabi page, and pressing ‘publish’ is using ChatGPT to replace your human skills as a writer.
On the flipside, prompting ChatGPT to do this, then copying the output into a Google doc where you then edit, enhance, and elaborate is using this as an asset to compliment your skills. (This helps you write more, quicker. A win. We love to see it.)
Here are more examples of using ChatGPT as a replacement:
“Write 3 ads and headlines for The Booty Bootcamp for Beach Bums (BBBB)” + copy + publish
“Write an email for BBBB that sells this offer to my soulmate client” + copy + publish
“Write an Instagram caption that using storytelling and the CTA is to buy BBBB” + copy + publish
Here are more examples of using ChatGPT as an ASSET:
Any of the above quotes + copy into a blank document + read through + edit + elaborate + enhance + read again + publish
“Write a 2-week content plan for BBBB”
“I am writing my sales page for BBBB. Can you give me 5 common objections I may get from this offer?”
Do you see the difference? One removes you from the work (which seems like a win for output, but is it? We’ll discuss this in a bit) while the other helps you write more, quicker without removing you.
Feeding ChatGPT Well
Is anyone else’s social media full of homesteading and sourdough content? Because every time I say “feed”, I think of sourdough and starters and mothers and what not. And the best part of that is that I don’t even bake bread!!!
For the sake of this article, “feeding” refers to the prompts and content you give ChatGPT in order for it to give you anything in return.
And spoiler alert: If you feed ChatGPT sh!t, you’re going to get sh!t in return. (Aka, if you don’t already have good writing skills, don’t use ChatGPT to write for you. It will also have poor writing skills because you have poor writing skills. I say with love.)
When looking at ChatGPT as an asset, we see that it can only HELP you, not do it for you…if you want it done well. (And you DO want it done well. That’s why you’re still reading this article.)
5 Steps to Feeding ChatGPT In The Best Possible Way
1. Become a better writer without ChatGPT.
Ooof, right??? I know this feels like, “ok but I want to write more RIGHT NOW!!! what the heck, that’s the whole reason I was trying to use it.” Listen, I see you! And also, you need to be better at writing by yourself before you ever try to outsource your writing to a copywriter or ghostwriter or ChatGPT!
How?
Write more. Write smaller. Write bigger. Write about nothing. Write about everything. Write more. By writing more, you’re going to find your flow, and writing it going to get simpler. Plus, you’re going to eventually write more, quicker, by yourself.
Publish more. Publish things you don’t think matter. Publish things you KNOW matter. Publish things rough. Publish after editing. Publish messy. Publish more. By publishing more, you’re going to get more feedback AND reps in, which will help you naturally write more, quicker.
2. Give ChatGPT samples of your writing.
Now that you are confident with your own writing, you can confidently feed ChatGPT well enough to begin helping you out.
You do have to understand that feeding samples to ChatGPT is how this AI tool grows and learns more. While this could be for greater good for all, it could also be our downfall. (Lol) You get to decide if you want to be a part of this or not. Since you’re still here, I’m assuming you’re down for the ride.
The reason this is so important for you to do is because this is how ChatGPT learns about YOU, your writing style, your offer, and your audience. Without this information, it can only feed you generic answers.
My Favorite Prompt for Feeding ChatGPT Sample Work:
“You are now an expert (your title). You will be helping me write (your goal). To help me do this, you must understand my voice, offer, and business. Here is a sample of my writing: (copy + paste your writing). // You are now an expert (your title). Are you ready to help me write (your goal) in this same writing style"?”
Generally, it will start writing for you immediately after. Other times, you may need to prompt further.
3. Prompt ChatGPT for Your Specific Goal.
Even after feeding ChatGPT your sample, you will still need to prompt this tool for maximum output. Meaning, if you want to write more, quicker, without having to rewrite the entire ChatGPT output, get specific with what you want.
Instead of having ChatGPT write your entire sales page for BBBB, break it down into:
Write a headline and hook for BBBB
What are 3 stories I could tell to promote BBBB?
Who is BBBB for?
Who is BBBB not for?
What are 5 frequently asked questions and answers about BBBB?
Why would someone not invest in BBBB?
Instead of having ChatGPT write your email funnel for you, section them out:
Write 10 subject lines for BBBB
Write one storytelling email for BBBB
Write one common objection email for BBBB
Write 5 CTAs to include in emails about BBBB
Instead of having ChatGPT write your course curriculum for you, get more specific:
What questions would someone have about this BBBB curriculum?
If someone were using BBBB, where would they likely get stuck?
What is an additional module I could include inside BBBB that would help people achieve (transformation of BBBB) quicker?
4. Be willing to do the extra work.
ChatGPT is not an end-all, be-all way to dodge out of writing your own material. Even when you feed this tool to the absolute best of your ability AND love what you’re getting, you still have to read, edit, and enhance what it gives you.
Expect ChatGPT to get it wrong, honestly. Expect it to not truly know what the heck you’re talking about. Expect to edit.
You’re editing and ‘extra work’ will ultimately get shorter and shorter, but you will always need to take the time to READ through what it gives you, and make need adjustments.
Again, this is an asset, not a replacement.
(That’s like taking a protein shake instead of eating a meal and working out, and then still expecting to still lose 5 pounds, achieve pulls ups, and get stronger…all because you replaced a fat-front meal with a protein shake. Don’t be this person. Do the work.)
5. Keep writing without ChatGPT.
This follows sooooo well after tip #4, because the goal isn’t to stop writing. You want to write more, quicker. How? Refer to #1. Then, after #1-4, keeeeeeeppppp writingggggg on your ownnnnnn!!!!
The only way to truly write more, quicker is to write more, period. Keep practicing your craft — even if you feel like it isn’t your best skill right now. Practice makes better. Better makes faster. Faster makes more.
Keep writing without ChatGPT.
What Else Could I Say About ChatGPT?
Truth be told, there is SO MUCH MORE I could say. But this feels like a lot for now, so I want to leave you with it as is. (You are free to drop your thoughts and questions in the comments below so we can chat more!)
If you want to write more, quicker, check out my group program, The Secret Life of Writers. Each month, you receive a writing class, hot-seat mentor call, and co-writing call for accountability. In April 2024, our writing class is on this exact topic: Using AI to Write More, Quicker. (Think of it as an elaboration of this essay.)
Here’s the TLDR point: ChatGPT is an incredible ASSET in your resource vault, but it is not a replacement for writing yourself.
→ Become a better writer by yourself first.
→ Use ChatGPT to write more, quicker.
Ok. I love you much. Hope you loved this article as much as I loved writing it!!!! <3
Talk soon,
Jess
P.S. Like the graphic for this article? ChatGPT, more specifically DALL-E created it. ;)
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I'd go up against a machine any day. I'll tear the ball bearings off of it : )