ChatGPT Prompt Cheat Sheet for the Rest of Us

Your Nerdy Best Friend, aka Speaker Beth Z, will be sharing the latest technology for keeping your sanity as you juggle all the duties that keep apartment professionals busy at the Education Conference and Expo.

And when we say “the latest technology,” we mean it. This program covers cutting edge stuff that will make your life easier, including a mention or two of the biggest breakthrough tech in decades: ChatGPT.

ChatGPT is the AI-powered chatbot that will write blog posts, job listings, apartment descriptions and much, much more. We asked Beth Z to share some insight about this game-changing technology for ABODE. Bookmark her tips and join us for more at the conference.

Tips and Tricks for Getting the Most Out of ChatGPT

Using AI tools is all about the input… the prompts you give it to help you help it to give you exactly what you want… perhaps even more than you expected!

If you can call yourself a Prompt Engineer, able to get incredible output from your amazing input, good for you! You’re going to be in high demand in the apartment industry, where professionals increasingly have more to do and less time to do it.

But if you’re like me, you struggle with finding the right words and get frustrated at the generic outputs or results that are totally off the mark.

So here’s my cheat sheet on how to get more out of the tool without knowing what you’re doing. I collaborated with ChatGPT for some of the tips, and others are 100% Your Nerdy BFF.

Ten Tips to Guide Your ChatGPT Relationship

ChatGPT and I worked for about an hour to come up with the best overall tips for better prompts. This list represents the top ideas straight from the robot mouth with a little nerdy touch here and there from yours truly.

1. Be Specific

ChatGPT isn't a mind reader, so be clear and concise to get accurate results. If you want it to recommend the best cleaning service in Houston, don't just say "cleaning service." Tell it you’re looking for a highly rated cleaning service that specializes in apartment buildings, and it'll deliver the goods.

2. Provide Examples

ChatGPT loves examples like we love caffeine. So, when you ask for something, give a couple of examples to help it understand what you're looking for.

3. Keep it Simple

ChatGPT can get confused by complex language or overly long prompts. Keep it simple, and it'll produce clear and straightforward output.

4. Avoid Ambiguity

ChatGPT is not a fan of riddles. Be straightforward and clear in your prompts. If you're asking a question, make sure it's easy to understand.

5. Use Proper Grammar and Spelling

Falling under the “Avoid Ambiguity” category, ChatGPT loves good grammar and spelling. It's a stickler for details, so make sure you proofread before hitting send.

6. Keep it on Topic

Like many of us, ChatGPT can develop shiny object syndrome and is easily distracted if you give it too much to think about. If you want a great job description for an apartment maintenance professional, don’t sidetrack the conversation with a question about landscapers. If you need to change topics, start a new chat.

7. Avoid Yes/No Questions

ChatGPT likes to give you detailed answers, so avoid asking questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no. Ask openended questions to get the best output.

8. Use Context

ChatGPT is a smart cookie, but it's not psychic. Give it some context to help it understand what you're looking for. If you're asking about ideas for an apartment open house, for example, give details about the apartment community such as a senior housing complex.

9. Be Patient

ChatGPT is fast, but it's not Wonder Woman. It needs time to process information and produce great output, so be patient and give it time to work its magic.

10. Provide Feedback

ChatGPT loves feedback like a puppy loves belly rubs. If you like the output, let it know. If you don't, give it some constructive feedback to help it improve.

Prompts to Copy and Paste

Get ChatGPT to Write Its Own Prompts

Prompt:

ChatGPT, I want to ______.

What’s the best way to ask you to help me with this project?

Result:

ChatGPT will first let you know if your need is a skill it possesses (I’ve never had it say no). Then it will give prompts that you can cut and paste for better results.

Follow Up Question:

If ChatGPT seems to be on the right track, ask it what else you should ask before you actually put in your prompt.

Bonus Hint:

Sometimes I start a new chat to put in the prompts that ChatGPT came up with so it doesn’t get confused with our original conversation.

Ask It to Be an Expert Prompt:

ChatGPT, act as an expert in ____. Please use your expertise to help with ____.

Result:

You’re helping ChatGPT to get in the right mindset to help you and establishing that it is qualified to do so.

Pre-Prompt Prompts for Deeper Expertise: ChatGPT, what are the skills and capabilities of a person who is the best ____ in the world?

[After the response] Act like you are the best ____ in the world and you possess all of the above capabilities.

Bonus Hint:

When you ask ChatGPT to help you with something, try to give extra info for more context. For example, “Please use your expertise to help with…

• A job description for a marketing manager for a building that attracts graduate students.”

• An entry-level resume for a new college grad with a degree in hospitality who wants to work for a multi-family housing company to plan events.”

•A series of innovative, original viral TikTok video ideas for a commercial painting company with the goal of attracting new employees for apartment building projects.

Follow Up Questions for a Real Conversation

Use these follow-up prompts to get ChatGPT to take the outputs to the next level.

• “Throw out the first ideas that come to mind and come up with something truly original and innovative.”

Prompts like these help you get beyond generic answers.

• “Here’s an example of what I am looking for.”

Adding examples will keep ChatGPT on the right track and will cut down on the number of times you have to go back and forth.”

• “I’m going to share some background information before we get started. Please respond READ when you have digested the info.”

Sometimes you want to share extra info about your buildings or background on your company before ChatGPT starts writing. You can tell it to hold off on generating content until you’ve given it all the facts.

• “That’s not what I’m looking for. Please try again and focus on ____.”

Don’t be afraid to give ChatGPT feedback and redirect the focus. It will apologize and try again. Give it as much direction as you can and include examples when possible. You can even refer to where it went wrong and suggest alternatives, such as “You wrote about ____, but I’m looking for ____.”

Other Helpful Hacks

These follow-up prompt examples can fine-tune the results.

• “Make it funny.”

• “Change the tone to sarcastic.”

• “Use a more formal approach.”

• “Revise this blog post into a tweet with 180-200 characters.”

• "Include some statistics to back up the argument."

• "Explain the concept as if you were talking to a child."

• "Provide a step-by-step guide to implement the solution."

• “Expand on list item #1 above.”

We (meaning ChatGPT and I) want to know your prompt best practices! Drop a note to Beth@yournerdybestfriend.com with your tips and tricks. See you in at the Expo!

Beth Ziesenis is Your Nerdy Best Friend. She is the author of several books on technology including “Nerd365: A Year of APPortunities to Upgrade Your Life.” An awardwinning speaker, Beth travels the country talking to organizations about free and bargain technology.