How NOT To Make A S**t Sandwich Using ChatGPT…

PJ Sherman
4 min readNov 26, 2023

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If you make a sandwich using s**t, you’re going to get a s**t sandwich, right?

Now if you use the right ingredients…well, I’m sure you get the message. In my Substack posts, I go into a lot of detail about how to give ChatGPT the correct prompts, including downloads. However, I’m going to give you some pearls of wisdom below that don’t smell (or taste) garbage.

1️⃣ Precision is King: Craft Like a Wordsmith 👑

When you step up to ChatGPT, think of yourself as a Michelin-star chef of words. You don’t want a bot dishing out generic fast food; you’re here for the gourmet experience. Specify your request like you’re explaining your dream sandwich to a telepathic deli artist. Need a list? A summary? A code snippet? Tell ChatGPT exactly that, and watch the magic happen. 🥪✨

Example?

“Generate some Horror plot points in a table.”

2️⃣ Set the Tone: It’s All About the Vibe 🎶

Tone is the heartbeat of communication. Want ChatGPT to channel its inner Shakespeare or spit out facts like a walking encyclopedia? You set the mood. Let’s say you’re drafting a message to your team — it can be as formal as a tuxedo at a black-tie event or as casual as flip-flops on the beach. You decide. 👔🩴

Example?

“Write a sad tale about a dog that wasn’t looked after properly by its owner, a little girl who received the dog as a gift for Christmas. It should be aimed at children.”

3️⃣ Prime Your Prompts: The Opening Act 🎬

Priming your prompts is like stretching before the big race. It sets you up for victory. Start the convo with a warm-up. Let ChatGPT know who’s talking, what the scene is, and the character’s goal. Think of it as giving ChatGPT a backstage pass to your brain. 🧠🎟️

Example?

“You’re a Nobel Prize winner of Science. You use advanced language and explain things in great detail. You are preparing to explain topics to peers for your Doctorate. Maintain this character throughout”

4️⃣ Remember the Past: AI with a Memory 🐘

ChatGPT has a memory like an elephant, making it a killer feature for ongoing projects. It’s like having a co-writer who never forgets your last brainstorming session. Use it to your advantage, and keep the conversation flowing like a binge-worthy Netflix series. 🍿📺

Example?

“Rewrite the blog you wrote three messages ago but add keywords about mental health and self-help.”

MAKE YOUR OWN CHATGPT…GPT

5️⃣ Token Economics: Spend Wisely 💰

Tokens are your currency in ChatGPT land. Spend them like you’re on a budget because, well, you are. Keep your requests tight and your messages on point. Need a blurb? Limit it to a tweet. Want depth? Spring for the long-form. Remember, it’s all about the economy of words. 📊📈

Example?

“Write a whimsical poem about the last British Prime Minister in under 50 tokens.”

6️⃣ Mimicry is the Sincerest Form of Flattery: Write Like Me 🐦

Want ChatGPT to echo your unique style? Feed it a snippet of your prose. The more it learns about your inner wordsmith, the better it can become your literary doppelgänger. It’s like having a mini-me inside the machine. 🤖👯

Example?

“You’re an expert writing analyst. Analyse my writing style and recreate it when I ask for content “post writing sample”.”

7️⃣ Crank Up the Heat: Adjust the Temperature 🔥

The temperature setting is like the spice level for your AI dish. Want safe and straightforward? Keep it cool. But if you’re craving some creative zest, turn up the heat and let ChatGPT’s imagination off the leash. Just be ready for the extra kick! 🌶️

Example?

“Write a funny story about a day in the life of a parrot. Temperature 0.8”

8️⃣ The System Whisperer: Advanced Commands 🧙‍♂️

Got a complex quest? System messages are your cheat codes. Insert them like secret spells to guide ChatGPT to your desired outcome. Combine this with your prompts, and you’ve got yourself a powerful potion of AI wizardry. 🪄✨

Example?

“[Scientist] how much did Marie Curie impact nuclear development since the discovery of polonium?”

What Now?

Now you’re equipped with some of the better prompts for ChatGPT, go off and experiment & let us know in the comments how you got on.

At least Mary Berry is enjoying her perfectly made sandwich now…

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PJ Sherman
PJ Sherman

Written by PJ Sherman

Founder @ BlackBee Group 🐝 & SkilldUp 🍃| Winning the battle against the UK’s skills gap crisis | Helping You Optimise your LinkedIn to make more money

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