What is the best way to use ChatGPT?

A guide for Business Owners and Freelancers.

As technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, businesses of all sizes are seeking innovative ways to stay ahead of the curve. ChatGPT emerged just 1 year ago in November 2022, as a groundbreaking artificial intelligence tool, enabling businesses to automate writing tasks and streamline operations. It’s already beginning to change the way we work for ever.

In this blog post, we will explore use cases, benefits, and top tips for entrepreneurs looking to leverage the power of ChatGPT. We’ll also take a brief look into the past and future of this incredible technology.

When and where did ChatGPT originate?

ChatGPT, which stands for “Chatbot Generative Pre-training Transformer”. I know, it’s a bit of a mouthful, right? ChatGPT is a product of OpenAI, a US-based company co-founded by Elon Musk of Tesla fame, Sam Altman (current CEO) and others, operating at the forefront of artificial intelligence research, whose aim was to create a ‘chatbot’ that could understand and generate human-like text.

ChatGPT began with the introduction of its GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) language models, trained on diverse internet text, without any specific document or source to reference. Very clever stuff indeed. The first version, GPT-1, underwent several iterations, before going public with GPT-3.5, and soon after releasing its latest version GPT-4 in March 2023. GPT-4 is a text-based language model, and whilst future versions plan closer integration with other rich media (e.g. images, sound, and video), Google’s ‘Gemini AI’, claims to take a native approach to what it calls ‘multi modal media’. Check out their latest video below if you really want to freak out (though by Google’s own admission, the video here doesn’t reflect the true reality of their solution – for now, take it as a clear vision for the near-term future).

Unleashing the Power of AI on Your Small Business

6 Use Cases:

1. Customer Service

Efficient customer service is crucial for small businesses. Without it, customer frustration kicks in, reputation takes a dive, and sales begin to slide. In this regard, ChatGPT can be a game-changer, giving you the ability to provide instant and personalised responses to customer queries.

Through its natural language processing capabilities, ChatGPT can handle routine enquiries, assist with order tracking, and even resolve simple issues, freeing up valuable time to focus on growing your business.

2. Content Creation

Creating engaging and high-quality content is essential for establishing a strong online presence. ChatGPT can assist small business owners in generating blog posts, social media content, and even SEO keyword suggestions. ChatGPT can spark creativity and help you craft captivating content that resonates with your target audience. However, as detailed below, it’s not yet a fully intuitive solution, and you’ll likely want to add your own personal touch.

3. Boost Sales with a virtual assistant

Imagine having a virtual sales assistant available 24/7. ChatGPT can assist small businesses by engaging with potential customers, answering their questions, and guiding them through the purchasing process. By providing real-time product recommendations and addressing customer concerns, ChatGPT can significantly enhance your sales efforts and contribute to business growth.

4. Web Development

For small businesses with limited resources, web development can be a challenging and time-consuming task. ChatGPT can help simplify this process by assisting with coding and web design. Whether you need help with creating an attractive layout or troubleshooting coding issues, ChatGPT can be an invaluable resource for small business owners looking to establish a strong online presence.

5. Image Creation

Whilst still novel, there is already a wide selection of cloud-based software offering AI image and logo creation. Chat GPT is not one of them, as it presently focusses purely on text based answers. Read on for some recommended AI-powered software solutions (personal opinion only – no sponsorship here!).

As of December 2023, AI image production is a fascinating area, stretching from the sublime…to the ridiculous. For instance, you’ll find hyper-real photos with fictional people, akin to the ‘deep fakes’ you may have heard of. On the other hand, AI illustration can be quite bizarre, with its text etchings resembling something from a distant galaxy.

6. Cost-Effectiveness and Efficiency

One of the key benefits of ChatGPT is its cost-effectiveness. Small business owners can leverage ChatGPT’s automation capabilities to streamline their operations and reduce overhead costs. By automating repetitive tasks, businesses can allocate resources more efficiently and focus on strategic initiatives that drive growth.

Small Businesses with Successful ChatGPT Use Cases

Danish startup Jump Story provide Royalty Free stock photography for people who hate stock photography. AI image creation is embeded as a tool in their service offering, enabling customers to enrich and edit their photo selection via their account.

Top AI Tips for Small Business Owners

  1. Start with Small Tasks: Begin by incorporating ChatGPT into smaller, manageable tasks. This will help you assess its effectiveness and find the best use cases for your business.
  2. Curate and Fine-Tune Responses: Take the time to train ChatGPT to provide accurate and relevant responses. Regularly review and update its responses based on customer feedback and evolving business needs.
  3. Maintain Human Oversight: While ChatGPT is a powerful tool, it’s important to have human oversight to ensure accuracy and maintain a personal touch in customer interactions.
  4. Stay Updated: As technology advances, new features and improvements are continually being introduced. Stay informed about updates to ChatGPT and explore how they can further benefit your business.
  5. Experiment and Innovate: Don’t be afraid to explore novel use cases and push the boundaries of what ChatGPT can do for your business. Experimentation can lead to exciting discoveries and innovative solutions.

How should I prompt ChatGPT?

1. Keep it Simple

Who said tackling new technology has to be complicated? When it comes to using chat API commands, think of it as teaching a new language to a keen student. Instead of complicated phrases and jargon, keep your instructions simple and straightforward. The clearer the command, the better your AI will understand and execute it. It’s a bit like ordering at a coffee shop – “A cappuccino, please” works far better than “A hot beverage made by combining espresso with steamed milk, topped with a small amount of milk foam”.

So, remember – in the world of chat API commands, keeping things simple and specific works.

2. Just enough detail to nail that niche

Simple’s great; but what if you want ChatGPT to produce something super-niche, write for a specific audience, or in a well refined tone of voice? Clearly, we’ll need to give it a few more clues. This is perfectly described by Ryan Reynolds, actor and founder of Mint Mobile…don’t take my word for it…check out the video below:

3. Sprinkle in Specific Keywords

Imagine if you could have your very own secret language with your AI that delivered improved results every time. Well, using specific keywords in your chat API commands is pretty close to that! These are the magic words that help your AI understand exactly what you want it to do. It’s like a secret handshake between you and your AI – the right keyword can open doors to efficient operations. Spend some time learning about these powerful terms and start sprinkling them into your commands. Your AI will thank you for it!

4. Test, Tweak, Triumph!

The journey to perfecting your chat API commands can be fun and rewarding. Think of it as a game – the more you play (test), the better you get at it! Regular testing and tweaking of your commands can dramatically improve their effectiveness. This isn’t just about identifying mistakes but also about discovering new, better ways of doing things. So, roll up your sleeves, dive in, and remember – every test brings you one step closer to triumph!

5. Cheat and use a ChatGPT prompter

A number of ChatGPT prompters have popped up, which translate less structured text, or less formed ideas, into perfectly worded AI briefs. For example, check out the prompter at https://www.aimind.so/prompt-generator .

Limitations of ChatGPT in 2024

To put ChatGPT to best use, at the right time, we also need to understand its weaknesses, as with any new technology. Here are five potential limitations of ChatGPT you should be aware of:

  1. Limited Understanding: Despite its impressive capabilities, ChatGPT doesn’t always fully grasp complex queries or those requiring a deep level of contextual understanding. It can be a bit like having a chat with someone who’s a jack-of-all-trades, master of none.
  2. Inconsistency: The AI might give different answers to similar queries over time, which could lead to a touch of confusion among your customers.
  3. Lack of Personal Touch: While ChatGPT can mimic human conversation quite convincingly, it just can’t replicate the empathy and personal touch that a human can provide, whether when drafting copywriting output, or providing customer service. My recommendation (for the time being at least) is to see ChatGPT more as a thought-starter, than something that will give you reliable finished results.
  4. Misinterpretation: ChatGPT often misinterprets user inputs, which can result in responses that are a bit off the mark. It can take some time to nail exactly how to instruct ChatGPT in a way that leads to consistent and high quality results.
  5. Dependence on Training Data: The effectiveness of the AI’s responses heavily relies on the quality and relevance of its training data. If this data isn’t diverse or relevant to your specific industry, this could limit the AI’s usefulness. After all, AI only operates (at present) in the past. And, if your niche has only one source, then ChatGPT only has that source to go on.
  6. Rapidly Changing Technology: Just as we think we know how best to utilise a technology like AI, it changes. The emergent market for AI interfaces, such as Jasper.ai, is rapidly evolving. However, the best solution today, might struggle to keep pace tomorrow. And so, getting the most from AI requires a passion for keeping up with cutting edge technologies, which can be a drain on your time if it’s not what you love doing.

It’s important to note that ChatGPT isn’t yet a mature solution. Whilst the technology has made some fantastic strides, it’s still very much work in progress. Developers are actively working to address the challenges, however, a fully intuitive AI may be some way off.

Integrating AI technology like ChatGPT into your business operations often requires a bit of technical know-how and the need for ongoing AI training, management, and troubleshooting can represent a significant timecommitment.

So, while ChatGPT offers heaps of exciting possibilities, it’s important to approach it with a clear understanding of the imperfections and some readiness to invest your time. Remember, every new technology has its teething problems, and AI like ChatGPT is no exception. But with a bit of patience and perseverance, the benefits can be substantial.

AI Interfaces: Some Personal Favourites

  1. Canva – an incredible array of picture editing and creation tools, at an affordable price. Genuinely useful.
  2. Deepbrain.io – ok…this still freaks me out…ai avatar video creation…impressive…but…yep…still freaked
  3. Jasper.ai – one of the best AI copilots out there. By copilot, it works with you to produce some fairly credible content, suggestions, AI art…you name it. Beware the limitations here – see limitations section above.

A brief insight into the future of Chat GPT and AI Chatbots in general

The evolution of ChatGPT and similar AI technologies undoubtedly offers some significant challenges, both for society, and business in general, as the pace of adaptation is likely to prove the most significant ever undergone by humanity.

However, the opportunities AI presents for small businesses are immense. In our increasingly digital world, staying ahead will require us to embrace AI advancements and integrate them into your business strategies. But…it’s not just about keeping pace with technology; it’s about leveraging it to drive growth, streamline operations, and deliver exceptional customer experiences. To explore how your business can capitalise on new technology, such as ChatGPT, book a free strategy consultation. The future of business is here, and increasingly, it might just speak our language.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ChatGPT offers small businesses a wide range of possibilities to enhance efficiency, improve customer experience, and drive growth. By leveraging this powerful tool, small business owners can save time, reduce costs, and unlock new opportunities. Embrace the potential of ChatGPT and take your small business to new heights of success.

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