ChatGPT Workflow
How much time could you save if you could create article templates using ChatGPT? Below is a walkthrough of the steps I took to work with ChatGPT to produce solid information related to content templates and best practices for How-To articles. You can use this workflow to have ChatGPT create any other type of content framework or when asking for writing best practices.
1. Initial ChatGPT Query
We are going to start with a basic query that initializes ChatGPT and provides the overall context for our session. Open a new ChatGPT session and enter the below statement into the input box at the bottom of the New Chat window.
My Input:
I need a content template for a how to article. What template produces the best response from readers?
ChatGPT Response:
A commonly used template for a "how-to" article is the following:
- Introduction - Provide a brief overview of the topic and explain why it is important or useful.
- Step 1 - Clearly explain the first step in completing the task, including any necessary background information.
- Step 2 - Explain the second step, including any necessary details or tips.
- Step 3 - Continue explaining each step in a clear and logical order.
- Conclusion - Sum up the main points of the article and provide any final thoughts or tips for the reader.
- Additional Resources - Provide links or references for further reading or resources.
This template is easy to follow and understand, making it a popular choice for readers. It's important to also provide images and examples to help the reader understand the instructions.
Now, we can begin to have a dialog with the ChatGPT bot to direct its output to what we want.
2. Try Different Levels of Formality
KEY IDEA: Don't start a new chat session. We want to stay within the current session that contains our previous work and context. We will now have a "dialog" with the ChatGPT bot to get different options for our results.
My Input:
Rewrite in an informal and playful tone.
ChatGPT Response:
Alright, let's make this "how-to" article a little more fun and less formal, shall we? Introduction - Let's start with a quick rundown of what we're gonna talk about and why it's super cool/useful.
- Step 1 - First things first, let's lay out the first step in our little project. We'll give you all the info you need, plus some extra goodies.
- Step 2 - Onwards and upwards, folks! Step two is up next. We'll give you the lowdown on what to do and some hot tips to make it even better.
- Step 3 - We're cooking with gas now! Let's keep the momentum going with more steps and more helpful hints.
- Conclusion - All good things must come to an end, but we'll leave you with a quick summary of what we covered and some extra tidbits to take with you.
- Additional Resources - If you want more, we've got you covered. Check out these links for even more awesomeness.
So, let's get started and have some fun! Don't forget to add some images and examples to make it even more fun and easy to follow.
3. Need additional detail? Just ask ChatGPT.
My Input:
I need additional details. Please provide additional steps, actions and ideas for the 6 bullet points.
ChatGPT Response:
Sure, here are some additional details, actions, and ideas for each of the 6 bullet points in the informal and playful "how-to" article template:
- Introduction - Use a catchy and attention-grabbing headline Start with a fun fact or personal story related to the topic Use simple and easy to understand language Provide a clear and concise overview of what the reader can expect to learn from the article
- Step 1 -
- Use a subheading or a number to clearly label the step
- Break down complex instructions into smaller and more manageable chunks
- Use visuals such as images, diagrams, or videos to help illustrate the instructions
- Provide examples of what the final outcome should look like
- Provide a summary of the step before moving on to the next
- Step 2 -
- Use a subheading or a number to clearly label the step
- Provide specific details and information about the step
- Use bullet points or numbered lists to make the instructions easy to follow
- Provide tips and tricks to make the process easier or more efficient
- Provide a summary of the step before moving on to the next
- Step 3 -
- Repeat the process as above, providing clear and concise instructions with helpful tips and visual aids
- Conclusion -
- Sum up the main points of the article in a catchy and memorable way
- Provide a call-to-action, encouraging the reader to try out the instructions for themselves
- Offer additional resources for further reading or learning
- Additional Resources -
- Provide links to other articles, videos, or websites that can provide more information on the topic
- Include a list of tools or materials that the reader may need to complete the task
- Provide a list of frequently asked questions and their answers that the reader may find helpful
- Offer a way for the reader to reach out to you for more information or support
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other question.
Now we have some actionable steps that can be turned into a template for our team.
4. ASK A DIRECT QUESTION: Should I include an FAQ section?
My Input:
Should I include a FAQ section? If so, where on the page should it be placed?
ChatGPT Response:
Including a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section can be a good idea for a "how-to" article, as it allows readers to quickly find answers to common questions they may have. It can also help to address any misconceptions or confusion they might have about the topic.
If you include a FAQ section, it's best to place it towards the end of the article, after the main content and conclusion. This way, readers can first gain a thorough understanding of the topic before looking for specific answers to their questions.
You can also include a link to the FAQ section in the introduction of the article, so that readers know it is available for them if they need it.
It's also good to note that you can also link to specific questions from the main article to avoid repeating information and make it more user-friendly.
You can see that ChatGPT gave us good feedback on whether to include a FAQ section and where to place the FAQ within our How-To article.
5. ASK A DIRECT QUESTION: Where would ChatGPT Recommend we go for additional information?
KEY IDEA: Try to state your intentions as clearly as possible. Think of ChatGPT as a young but highly gifted entity. It is inexperienced in many ways. Below, I reminded the bot of our context of "writing great How-To articles" and asked it specifically to provide primary resources.
My Input:
Where would you recommend we go for more detailed and in-depth information on writing great How-To articles? What primary resources are available?
ChatGPT Response:
There are many resources available for learning more about writing effective "how-to" articles. Some primary resources include:
- Books: There are many books available on the topic of writing and content creation, including "The Complete Guide to Article Writing" by Naveed Saleh and "The Well-Fed Writer" by Peter Bowerman.
- Online Courses: Websites such as Udemy and Coursera offer a variety of online courses on writing, including specific courses on writing "how-to" articles.
- Blogs: Many bloggers and content creators share their knowledge and experience on writing great "how-to" articles. Some popular blogs include Copyblogger, ProBlogger, and Boost Blog Traffic.
- Websites: Websites such as Hubspot have a wealth of resources and articles on writing great "how-to" articles and creating effective content.
- Magazines: Some magazines such as Writer's Digest, The Writer and American Society of Journalist and Author have also articles or tutorials that can help with how-to writing.
It's important to note that to improve your writing skills, it's also important to practice writing, and get feedback on your work. Joining a writing group or workshop can be a good idea as well.
The bot provided some excellent advice and where to go next on this topic.
Conclusion
You can see that ChatGPT produced some nice results for us. We must adopt a consistent strategy of providing clear instructions and expected results.
FAQ
Why am I receiving an error stating, "ChatGPT is at capacity" error when I try to access the tool?
ChatGPT has gone viral faster than any other software tool in history. Because of this, the team at OpenAI is working to scale up its infrastructure. You will receive this error occasionally until they solve this problem. Wait 5 minutes and retry by refreshing your browser.
I entered your prompt exactly, but ChatGPT didn't produce the same results. Why?
ChatGPT is a Large Language Model (LLM.) Because of its complexity and capabilities, it will generate unique content within each new chat. You should ask the bot to rewrite its response if you don't like the output.
How can I make the ChatGPT result more human-sounding?
This is a common complaint. You didn't do anything wrong. ChatGPT isn't always perfect. So, I suggest the following.
Option 1: You can ask ChatGPT to rewrite using one of the following: "rewrite for clarity," "rewrite to optimize for SEO," "rewrite to increase engagement," and "rewrite in a human-like tone."
Option 2: Manually edit the text with tools like Grammarly or Quillbot.
