5 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Used ChatGPT

When I first heard about ChatGPT, I was curious. Could an AI really handle creative work as well as a person? Could it even be better? I thought, if machines don’t make human errors, maybe ChatGPT could offer a flawless experience. I quickly learned that ChatGPT is a bit more nuanced. Here are five things I wish I’d known before diving in.

1. It’s NOT Going To Replace My Job

Working in marketing and content, I was understandably curious—and maybe a bit cautious—when I was asked to try ChatGPT for some of my tasks. At first, I thought it might work like a flawless human expert, handling things just as well (or even better) than I could. But as I used it more, I realized that ChatGPT, while impressive in its adaptability, sometimes misses the mark. It can take things out of context or provide “made-up” answers when it’s unsure. And when I pushed it to tackle a big project, I often got generic responses that needed more refinement.

What’s truly valuable, though, is ChatGPT’s ability to adjust based on how I ask questions. If I want a simple explanation, I can tell it to “talk like a 5th grader.” If I need something highly polished, it adapts its tone accordingly. I realized that ChatGPT isn’t here to replace me—it’s more of a flexible tool that helps speed up my work, especially when I give it clear, specific guidance.

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re getting generic or incomplete answers, try rephrasing your question with a specific example or context. Sometimes, even asking ChatGPT to summarize your request back to you can clarify that it’s on the right track. The more you engage, the better the response!

2. Conversing with ChatGPT (like a person) Is Actually Effective

At first, I approached ChatGPT with simple commands and directives, expecting it to just deliver the final output. But one of my biggest breakthroughs was discovering that ChatGPT becomes much more useful when I treat it like a real conversation partner. Instead of just giving it instructions, I started breaking down complex tasks—like creating a business plan—into smaller, manageable steps. I also invited ChatGPT to ask me questions along the way. This back-and-forth helped me clarify what I needed and allowed ChatGPT to refine its responses.

Approaching ChatGPT as a collaborator rather than a simple tool made a huge difference. By clarifying my requests, simplifying my language, and sharing my experiences, I realized I could get results that genuinely reflected my vision. ChatGPT could structure information and suggest ideas, but it couldn’t match the depth of my own experiences—so blending the two made for far richer results.

💡 Pro Tip: Think of complex requests as conversations rather than commands. Break them down into steps, and encourage ChatGPT to ask clarifying questions. This two-way interaction keeps responses focused and lets you guide the output as it develops into something truly valuable.

3. Think of ChatGPT as a Guide, Not a Genie

For example, if I’m drafting a business pitch and need a fresh perspective, I don’t just type, “Write a business pitch for solar panels.” Instead, I start by setting the scene: “Act as a marketing consultant for a startup pitching an eco-friendly product (Solar panels) to investors. Focus on benefits to sustainability and profitability, and keep the tone persuasive but professional.” This framing instantly gives ChatGPT a clearer sense of direction, and the response is much more tailored to what I need.

💡 Pro Tip: Use prompts that provide context or structure. Start by telling ChatGPT what role you want it to play (e.g., “act as a business consultant”) or give it a specific style or tone to follow. Small adjustments in your prompts can make a big difference in the quality and relevance of the response.

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4. These Simple Tips When Using ChatGPT

Looking back, here are a few tips I wish someone had shared with me before I started using ChatGPT. These small adjustments make a big difference! 

The whole point of using ChatGPT was saving time, so learn from my mistakes so you don’t have to waste your time and you can get ahead with using ChatGPT effectively.

• Don’t assume it knows everything. ChatGPT is trained on a lot of data but still makes mistakes. Always double-check.
  
• Clarify and simplify. I ask ChatGPT to explain why it produced certain responses and make sure it really “gets” what I want.
• Ask it to ask questions. Sometimes, ChatGPT prompts me with questions that make me rethink what I need, leading to better answers.
• Human oversight is critical. ChatGPT is a helpful tool, but nothing beats a final human check. Treat its outputs as drafts, not final versions.
• Prompting is the key. For those prompts that gave me the best answers, I wish I’d saved them in a document so I could use them again. Effective prompts are like gold—having a record of what works best saves time and ensures consistent quality in future responses.
• Explore specialized models. I didn’t know at first that ChatGPT could be customized with my documents for focused expertise. This would have saved time from trying to tailor responses with every new conversation.
• And yes, be nice. Research shows that politeness actually influences ChatGPT’s responses, leading to more thoughtful and accurate outputs. It turns out that adding a touch of courtesy isn’t just for human interaction—AI models seem to respond better too. Plus, it never hurts to stay on the good side of the machines… you know, just in case Skynet ever comes online!

💡 Pro Tip: Want to get the most out of ChatGPT? If it’s struggling with a topic, try feeding it background information. You can also ask ChatGPT to ask you clarifying questions—it’s surprisingly good at prompting ideas you may not have considered!

5. Guide It Well, and It Will Save You Time

The better I guide ChatGPT, the better it performs. If I provide references or specific examples of how I want something done, it can mimic that style. If I’m vague, it’s generic. I’ve realized that ChatGPT thrives on specifics, and if I invest in giving it a good foundation, I get much more out of it.

Using ChatGPT has helped me streamline things that used to consume my time, like grammar checks, rewriting, and idea generation. Where Google opened up endless search possibilities, ChatGPT gives me something even more valuable: time. It’s not just about finding answers; it’s about creating solutions and content more quickly and effectively.

💡 Pro Tip: Try using ChatGPT for repetitive tasks that eat up your time. Let it handle drafts, grammar checks, or even brainstorming. Freeing up time on these basics lets you focus on the creative or high-impact work only you can do. 

If you’re looking to boost your productivity with ChatGPT, check out this article on GPT Productivity Hacks for insights on streamlining your tasks even further.

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