Today, we’re tackling a topic that’s close to many of our hearts (and workflows): making the most out of ChatGPT for our businesses. If you’ve ever used ChatGPT and felt like you were chatting with a wall or your prompts were going in one ear and out the other (so to speak), then you’re in the right spot — this post is going to be a game-changer for you.

I’ve spent hours (upon hours!) using ChatGPT in my own business and refining my process along the way, and I’ve coached numerous clients and fellow business owners on how to use ChatGPT in their business as well. And you know what I’ve noticed? When a business owner comes to me, ready to throw in the towel with ChatGPT, I often find that their frustration usually boils down to a few simple things that are holding them back from tapping into the full power of this AI tool. 

So, let’s dive into 3 of the most common ChatGPT missteps I see, and more importantly, how to fix them. 

3 Top ChatGPT Mistakes … And How to Fix Them

ChatGPT Mistake #1: You Didn’t Teach ChatGPT About Your Brand First

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Think of ChatGPT as the newest member of your team — who’s eager to contribute but first needs to understand the lay of the land. The first step, before asking ChatGPT to roll up its sleeves and get to work, is to thoroughly introduce it to your brand. This involves sharing the core of what your brand represents — its values, mission, and the unique tone of voice that sets your brand apart.

Why this matters: 

Ever stumbled upon a piece of content so vague and soulless it could belong to any brand? That’s what happens when ChatGPT isn’t clued into your brand’s essence. Your brand’s mission, values, and unique voice are what differentiate you in a sea of sameness. If ChatGPT doesn’t have a grasp on these, its output might as well be those cookie-cutter “Live, Laugh, Love” signs we all scroll past. Instead, aim for content that resonates on a personal level, as if it’s been handcrafted by someone who knows your audience inside and out.

How to Fix It: 

Kick things off by giving ChatGPT a comprehensive overview of your brand. Share your mission statement, describe your ideal customer, and even throw in some examples of your past content. Introduce these elements to ChatGPT as if you’re sharing your business vision with a new friend or collaborator. It’s about equipping ChatGPT with the knowledge it needs to act as an integral part of your content team. This foundational step transforms ChatGPT from a mere tool to a strategically, capable of producing content that not only sounds like you but feels like it comes from the heart of your brand.

For more on how to do this effectively, check out my Mastering Marketing Copy with ChatGPT Guide.

ChatGPT Mistake #2: You Don’t Give It Clear Prompts

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Ok, let’s be honest … ChatGPT is scarily smart, but it’s not a mind reader. It will never be able to read between the lines to interpret what you say, nor will it have the strategic savvy or emotional intelligence of a rockstar human copywriter. For everyday content creation and business/marketing support, it can be a game changer. But here’s the catch. You have to know how to guide it and tell it what you want. So the clearer and more detailed your prompts are, the better the outcome. 

Why this matters: 

Vague requests like “write a blog post about my service” will get you nowhere fast. ChatGPT needs direction. Think of it as a collaborative effort; you’re the brains, ChatGPT is the brawn. It can’t intuit what you’re saying, so you need to give it clear, detailed instructions. When you don’t share specifics or give ChatGPT the context and goal behind your request, you’ll often end up with content that’s off-target, generic, or simply misses the mark in engaging your audience. 

How to Fix It: 

Be as specific as possible. If you’re asking for a blog post, outline the topic, the key points you want to cover, the tone, and even the format. For example, Instead of saying, “Write a blog post about marketing,” try, “Write a blog post about leveraging social media trends in 2024 for small businesses, focusing on Instagram and TikTok.” The more details you provide, the closer ChatGPT can get to what you have in mind. 

Need inspiration? My ChatGPT Content Prompt Pack freebie is packed with examples to get you started.

ChatGPT Mistake #3: You’re Not Staying In The Same Chat Thread

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This simple-but-game-changing tip is usually one of the biggest “ah-ha” moments for business owners who are at their wits end with ChatGPT. 

Did you know that jumping into a new chat thread for every request is like starting a new conversation without context? Think of ChatGPT like talking to a person. Each time you open a new chat thread, it’s like talking to a completely new person — one who knows nothing about you, your brand, your business, your prior content, etc. 

Why this matters: 

Keeping to one thread with ChatGPT is like keeping a journal of your brand’s personality and quirks. Each entry (or interaction) builds on the last, making ChatGPT smarter about your way of doing things. When you stick to one thread, you’re essentially giving ChatGPT a crash course in “Being a Part of My Brand 101.” This means every piece of content it helps you with gets a little closer to nailing your brand voice because it ‘remembers’ what you’ve told it before.

How to Fix It: 

Once you’ve introduced ChatGPT to your brand — think values, tone, and all the goodies that make your brand uniquely you — keep coming back to this same chat. This ongoing conversation helps ChatGPT keep up with you and your brand’s evolving story. It’s like nurturing a friendship; the more you share and the more consistently you communicate, the deeper and more meaningful the connection becomes. Plus, it saves you the hassle of repeating yourself, and who doesn’t love that?

Ok, so I lied … there’s a 4th mistake I want to mention. Let’s think of this one as a little bonus tip for you. 

ChatGPT Bonus Tip: Stop Expecting Perfection From A Robot

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Here’s the heart-to-heart part: ChatGPT is phenomenal, but it’s not a mind-reader nor a miracle worker. It’s a tool, and like any tool, its effectiveness comes down to how you use it. Expecting it to replace human creativity and insight is like expecting your morning coffee to perform brain surgery — it’s just not going to happen.

But here’s the good news: when used correctly, ChatGPT can dramatically amplify your content creation efforts, giving you a foundation to build on and polish. So, the next time ChatGPT’s output isn’t quite right, refine your approach instead of writing it off. Use it as a draft to inspire and shape your final masterpiece. Remember, it’s on you to infuse that final polish — the soul of your brand and your voice — into your content. ChatGPT can’t do that for you, and to expect that level of perfection will only hold you back from tapping into the power of this game-changing tool for you, and your business. 

Using ChatGPT doesn’t have to be a hair-pulling experience. Trust me, it can truly be your next best thing since sliced bread (or, in my case, the invention of iced coffee). Like any tool in our entrepreneurial toolkit, it’s here to make our lives a bit easier and our businesses a bit shinier. By teaching it about our brand, being crystal clear in our communication, and keeping our chats organized, we’re setting ourselves up for a win. And who doesn’t love a good win? 

And, if you’re looking for more insights on making AI work for you, or you need a bit more guidance on navigating the digital marketing landscape, I’m your gal. Dive into my resources, and let’s turn those AI frustrations into your secret content weapon. Cheers to leveraging AI to make our entrepreneurial journey a tad easier and a lot more impactful!