Eureka moments happen in strange ways, and my latest ChatGPT insight came during a lunch with a friend, WTE contributor, and the world's greatest SEO, Phil Buckley. Using OpenAI's ChatGPT daily since last December is changing how I write, create content, and think. ChatGPT is the tentpole of a triptych of tools I use daily, including Clearscope and Grammarly. Read last week's Flipboard Friday to learn why Grammarly is crucial to your use of ChatGPT and AI to create content.
Layers describes how ChatGPT is teaching me to improve my digital marketing and online content writing. At first, I asked simple questions adding eighty percent of the work to fit OpenAI's chatbot's responses into our content mix. Prompt engineering, how to change what I asked to produce a more sophisticated and complete responses, was apparent from my first use of artificial intelligence (AI) to help create online content, but there is a srange alchemy to prompts.
AI will do it for you is one of the storylines, which is true-ish. Garbage in, garbage out applies to chatbots, so learning how to write great prompts becomes crucial. Unfortunately, prompt engineering doesn't just happen. There is no magic wand you wave that will make you good at writing natural language processor (NLP) prompts. Testing, refining, and failing are as crucial to learning prompt engineering as becoming a great digital marketer.
You write from what you know, but you write into what you don’t know.Grace Paley
What you know helps you write great prompts, and, as Grace Paley said, you write into what you don't know. When I asked ChatGPT to produce an in-depth learning report in a McKinsey Consulting style, my knowledge about the leading Boston business consulting group helped because I wanted ChatGPT's reply structured in a particular way. I wrote out more than sixty percent of the McKinsey voice, but I kept most of ChatGPT's McKinsey-like outline.
I'll wrap this section by saying if you're going to get great at writing prompts, then write prompts and learn as much as you can about as much as you can. Prompt writing will be your left hand, with your "life knowledge" becoming your right hand.
Use the links below to learn more about my AI Eureka moment, thanks to Phil, ChatGPT, and Razor Rumble.
Like many reading this post, I started with a simple chatbot Q&A, and that left most of our content creation on my shoulders, and I built larger sand castles from the spare forms GPT3.5 shared. Then GPT4 happened (Read my ChatGPT4 Review). As their generative pre-trained transformer produced more robust answers and I gained prompt engineering knowledge, I asked OpenAI's chatbot to write about deep learning and deep AI using gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson's style.
The astonishing result demonstrated how the GPT4 ratio was shifting in my favor. Where the chatbot's responses used to require 80% of writing and editing, that number was more than cut in half. Efficiency is only one dimension of how ChatGPT helps. Brainstorming is my favorite tool and one of the chatbot's least discussed benefits. Reading and editing gonzo ChatGPT's deep learning story, something was missing - an incorrigible yet AI-knowledgeable sidekick so here is the conversation I had with the world's most popular chatbot:
Prompt: what would be a good name for a gonzo journalists sidekick/p> A fitting name for a gonzo journalist's sidekick might be "Razor Ramble." This name embodies the edgy, adventurous, and unconventional spirit of gonzo journalism, while also suggesting a character who is sharp-witted, quick on their feet, and always ready for the unexpected twists and turns of the journalistic journey. The name "Razor" conveys a sense of danger and cutting insight, while "Ramble" captures the meandering, unpredictable nature of gonzo storytelling. Together, these elements create a memorable and evocative name for a gonzo journalist's trusty companion. Prompt: what kind of car would a gonzo journalist drive A gonzo journalist would likely drive a car that embodies their adventurous, unconventional spirit and stands out in a crowd. A prime example of such a vehicle is the 1971 Chevrolet Impala convertible, famously driven by Hunter S. Thompson's character Raoul Duke in "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." This classic American car, with its powerful V8 engine, bold styling, and open-top design, captures the sense of freedom, rebellion, and wild energy that is often associated with gonzo journalism. Other potential options could include vintage muscle cars, like a Dodge Charger or Ford Mustang, or even a classic Volkswagen Microbus for a more bohemian, counterculture vibe. The key is to choose a car that reflects the gonzo journalist's fearless, eccentric personality and allows them to make a statement wherever they go. Prompt: describe razor rumble a gonzo journalists friend Razor Rumble, the enigmatic sidekick to a gonzo journalist, is an unpredictable and fearless companion, embodying the very essence of gonzo journalism. With a devil-may-care attitude and a relentless thirst for adventure, Razor is the perfect partner in crime for any journalist looking to push boundaries and dive headfirst into the chaotic world of unconventional reporting. Sporting a disheveled mop of unkempt hair and an ever-present pair of aviator sunglasses that seem to hold a thousand stories, Razor Rumble is the personification of counterculture cool. Clad in a weathered leather jacket adorned with patches from a myriad of obscure and exotic destinations, Razor exudes an air of worldly wisdom and restless wanderlust. A razor-sharp wit and boundless curiosity drive Razor's pursuit of truth, as they navigate the murky waters of gonzo journalism with their trusted journalist friend. Whether engaging in heated debates in smoke-filled bars or extracting information from the most tight-lipped of sources, Razor's silver tongue is a formidable tool in their journalistic arsenal. Fearless in the face of danger and unfazed by the chaos that often surrounds the gonzo journalistic endeavor, Razor Rumble thrives on the adrenaline rush that comes with pushing the limits. With an insatiable appetite for life and an unparalleled ability to find humor in the darkest corners of reality, Razor serves as both a grounding force and an unstoppable engine propelling the journalist's journey forward. In the wild and unpredictable world of gonzo journalism, Razor Rumble stands as an indispensable ally – an ever-present reminder that life's greatest stories are often found in the unlikeliest of places and that the pursuit of truth is an adventure that knows no bounds.
Prompt: what would be a good name for a gonzo journalists sidekick/p>
A fitting name for a gonzo journalist's sidekick might be "Razor Ramble." This name embodies the edgy, adventurous, and unconventional spirit of gonzo journalism, while also suggesting a character who is sharp-witted, quick on their feet, and always ready for the unexpected twists and turns of the journalistic journey. The name "Razor" conveys a sense of danger and cutting insight, while "Ramble" captures the meandering, unpredictable nature of gonzo storytelling. Together, these elements create a memorable and evocative name for a gonzo journalist's trusty companion.
Prompt: what kind of car would a gonzo journalist drive
A gonzo journalist would likely drive a car that embodies their adventurous, unconventional spirit and stands out in a crowd. A prime example of such a vehicle is the 1971 Chevrolet Impala convertible, famously driven by Hunter S. Thompson's character Raoul Duke in "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." This classic American car, with its powerful V8 engine, bold styling, and open-top design, captures the sense of freedom, rebellion, and wild energy that is often associated with gonzo journalism. Other potential options could include vintage muscle cars, like a Dodge Charger or Ford Mustang, or even a classic Volkswagen Microbus for a more bohemian, counterculture vibe. The key is to choose a car that reflects the gonzo journalist's fearless, eccentric personality and allows them to make a statement wherever they go.
Prompt: describe razor rumble a gonzo journalists friend
Razor Rumble, the enigmatic sidekick to a gonzo journalist, is an unpredictable and fearless companion, embodying the very essence of gonzo journalism. With a devil-may-care attitude and a relentless thirst for adventure, Razor is the perfect partner in crime for any journalist looking to push boundaries and dive headfirst into the chaotic world of unconventional reporting. Sporting a disheveled mop of unkempt hair and an ever-present pair of aviator sunglasses that seem to hold a thousand stories, Razor Rumble is the personification of counterculture cool. Clad in a weathered leather jacket adorned with patches from a myriad of obscure and exotic destinations, Razor exudes an air of worldly wisdom and restless wanderlust. A razor-sharp wit and boundless curiosity drive Razor's pursuit of truth, as they navigate the murky waters of gonzo journalism with their trusted journalist friend. Whether engaging in heated debates in smoke-filled bars or extracting information from the most tight-lipped of sources, Razor's silver tongue is a formidable tool in their journalistic arsenal. Fearless in the face of danger and unfazed by the chaos that often surrounds the gonzo journalistic endeavor, Razor Rumble thrives on the adrenaline rush that comes with pushing the limits. With an insatiable appetite for life and an unparalleled ability to find humor in the darkest corners of reality, Razor serves as both a grounding force and an unstoppable engine propelling the journalist's journey forward. In the wild and unpredictable world of gonzo journalism, Razor Rumble stands as an indispensable ally – an ever-present reminder that life's greatest stories are often found in the unlikeliest of places and that the pursuit of truth is an adventure that knows no bounds.
See how my chatbot conversation moved miles from simple questions and answers? Once again, I didn't use most of ChatGPT's Razor Rumble riff, but that's okay because the pieces I did use save time, broadened my thinking and content, and made something that can become tedious, fun, and exciting. I've written almost a million words in the last year and a half, so writing with ChatGPT's provides welcomed efficiency and enjoyment. In addition, using AI tools changes you faster and faster more and more. AI is an optimizer seeking, collapsing, and eliminating repetitive steps, as I was about to be reminded at a Genius Lunch with Phil Buckley.
I use Clearscope for keyword research, understanding winning SEO structure, and writing into what I don't know (those keywords I was asking ChatGPT about). Clearscope uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to analyze the best performing (in terms of SEO) content for a specific topic providing actionable keyword, document length, and structure (think headings) recommendations to optimize your content.
Some of the key Clearscope features include:
Keyword Research Clearscope identifies the most relevant and high-traffic keywords for the topic you asked it to research, but you still need to know what to ask (once again). The amount of content you can create is always infinite, while the digital marketing you should be doing is a much shorter list, so use a tool such as SEMRush or Ahrefs to figure out what your target audience wants to read.
Content Grading This is my favorite Clearscope feature because it checks off keywords as you write them in and provides an overall grade of A+++ at the top of the mountain. Nothing like having real-time feedback as you write, so now I'll ask ChatGPT to draft a "report" based on Clearscope's suggested keywords, edit and then run the revised version through Grammarly. Finally, I made sure my Grammarly edits didn't crush my Clearscope grade (it usually does). If my grade slipped, I'd rinse and repeat.
Recommendations It's possible to use a keyword too frequently, so Clearscope provides recommendations to optimize your content, such as adding or removing keywords, adjusting keyword density, and improving the content structure.
Competitor analysis The tool helps compare your content with your competitors, so you can identify gaps and opportunities to differentiate your content and outrank them in search results.
Reporting Clearscope's reports track your content's performance over time and measure the impact of your optimization efforts reinforcing how to learn to write for search engines and your target audience.
I love this tool, but it is costly (understatement). What's your content and time worth? I'm a cancer survivor battling the Big C all over again (for the fifth time), so time is worth more than anything. My problem now is, do I pay for chemo or Clearscope? Chemo has to win, but Clearscope is a close second. That is how much I love this content marketing tool.
PS. Image at the top of this page was created by Phil using Midjourney. Here is his prompt:
1944 wide angle street photo of a crowd of smiling young women standing in New York City's Central Park, wearing expensive dresses made of silk, pearl necklaces, shot in the Robert Frank style shot on Agfa Vista 200 film.
Too Good!
The day before Flipboard Friday went live, so Thursday, for those playing at home, Phil had a great conversation about the text-to-image generator Midjourney on LinkedIn. Phil used Midjourney to create the image on the previous page and the top of this one. Here is that discussion.
Great comments on Phil's post shared here since you'll have to go to LinkedIn to see them, including:
Kennedy Pittman
Yup. I love it for some things. Game changer for certain workflows. Need to discuss, or are you just feeling the room?
Ryan Craven
I have prompts saved for different types of image styles if you’re interested. And Ryan continues, "portrait: ::5 Premium Portrait Photography::4 well-lit, sharp-focus, high-quality, artistic, unique, award-winning photograph, Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR, f/8, ISO 100, 1/250 second, close-up, natural light, professional, flattering, headshot, glibatree style::3 black and white, grainy, deformed, watermark::-2
photo: ::5 Artistic Photography::4 creative, expressive, unique, high-quality, Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR, f/5.6 aperture, 1/125 second shutter speed, ISO 100, Adobe Photoshop, award-winning, glibatree style, experimental techniques, unusual perspectives, attention to detail::3 blurry, dim, uninspired::-2
painting: :5 Beautiful painting with artistic symbolism::4 brushstrokes, expressive, textured, vibrant colors, traditional medium, hand-painted, impressionistic style, high-quality canvas, limited edition, oil paint, palette knife, windsor & newton oil paints, award-winning, glibatree style::3 signature, deformed::-2 Goto Linkedin to see more including a great comment from Mark Fulton.