This AI-powered platform currently has 600 million users, and the biggest mistake many people make is not knowing how to use it.
If you haven’t tried ChatGPT yet , you might think you’re late to the party. But that’s not the case. The party is just getting started. However, a big mistake is using it without knowing how to leverage it. The output is only as good as the quality of the input. Familiarize yourself with the tool so you don’t waste time. Skip the learning curve to get the maximum business benefit.
Complete Beginner’s Guide: 7 Key Considerations
1. Understand how it works
ChatGPT is an advanced text predictor. It was trained on over 300 billion words from the internet and books. When you send it something, it basically predicts what should come next based on all that training. It’s an educated guess, though it’s not infallible. It’s not conscious. It doesn’t «know» things like we do, but it’s very good at putting words together in a coherent way.
ChatGPT ‘s output tends to be generic. Why? Because those 300 billion words contain contradictions. Plus, it collects information from a wide range of sources on the internet. Strong opinions cancel each other out, leaving you with a neutral result. If you want something more specific, you have to ask for it.
2. Don’t expect the impossible
“Can ChatGPT tell us where to fish in this river?” asked Kyle Balmer’s dad during a fishing trip. But the computer said no. “Can ChatGPT predict next quarter’s sales numbers?” asked one hopeful CEO. But the AI couldn’t deliver.
Don’t ask it to do something ridiculous. While newer versions of ChatGPT can access real-time information on demand, it’s still not perfect. It can’t make decisions for you, and its ability to answer highly specialized questions depends on the training data available. Let’s be realistic.
3. Learn to write good questions
Garbage in, garbage out. The quality of your answer depends on your question. Be specific. Provide context. Break big tasks into smaller parts. Learn the rules for effective writing and use them every time.
Instead of “Write me a business plan,” try “Create a business plan for a dog grooming service targeting women in their 30s with more than two dogs. Include sections on target market, startup costs, and marketing strategy with a budget of $5,000.” Once you’ve got the basics down, you can ask more advanced questions.
4. Start with your business
Got a work problem? Start there. Maybe you need help writing SEO-optimized articles or generating product names. ChatGPT shines when you apply it to real-world tasks. Use it to compose emails, create social media posts, or develop value propositions for your landing page.
There are tons of things you can use ChatGPT for . But start with what you already do. Integrate it into your current processes before adding new ones. Little and often is the key in the beginning.
5. Treat ChatGPT like an intern
Smart and enthusiastic, but needs guidance. ChatGPT can research, write, and organize. But you’re the boss. Review their work. Refine the result. Add your expertise. It’s a tool, not a replacement for human judgment.
Likewise, if he makes a mistake, explain why. Think about how to guide him toward the right answer without getting frustrated, taking it personally, or giving up altogether. He wants to do a good job.
6. Collaborate for better results
ChatGPT with you equals better results. Use it to generate ideas and then take those ideas further. Maybe it will suggest ten marketing slogans. Pick the best one and make it your own. Let it do the heavy lifting, but add your creativity, logic, and human touch. Together you can produce consistent results.
It’s there to cover your weaknesses, not replace your favorite job. You wouldn’t ask your Uber driver to make the most important decisions in your business. You wouldn’t ask your biggest investor to bring you coffee. Assign the right tasks to ChatGPT and reserve your superpowers for yourself.
7. Beware of «hallucinations»
ChatGPT can make mistakes. It may provide outdated information or, in some cases, make things up. Always double-check any important data, especially numbers and dates. Don’t blindly trust everything it says. Use your common sense.
If you want something like ChatGPT but data-driven, try Perplexity. Copy entire chunks of what you generated with AI and fact-check it right there. Edit accordingly so you don’t look bad.
Beginner’s Guide Before Using ChatGPT for the First Time
If you’ve never used ChatGPT before , you’re in for a great experience. Avoid common beginner mistakes by following this guide. Understand how it works, don’t expect miracles, and learn how to ask your questions before you start typing.
Start with your business’s existing processes to see what you can improve, treat ChatGPT like an enthusiastic intern who wants to do great work. Collaborate to achieve success and be wary of information that could be wrong. Increase your productivity and ask yourself how you ever lived without it. Go for it!
