ChatGPT Tips & TricksGet 10x Better Results
The secret to ChatGPT isn't magic — it's communication. ChatGPT is like a brilliant assistant who can help with almost anything, but needs clear instructions. Vague requests get vague responses. Specific, detailed prompts get exactly what you need.
6 Essential Tips for Better Prompts
Master these fundamentals and you'll get dramatically better results
Be Specific, Not Vague
✗ Don't
"Write about marketing"
✓ Do
"Write a 300-word LinkedIn post about 3 email marketing mistakes small businesses make, with a friendly tone"
Why: The more details you give, the better ChatGPT understands what you want.
Give ChatGPT a Role
✗ Don't
"Explain investing"
✓ Do
"You are a patient financial advisor. Explain investing to a complete beginner who has $500 to start"
Why: Assigning a role changes how ChatGPT responds — more tailored, more helpful.
Use Examples
✗ Don't
"Write a product description"
✓ Do
"Write a product description for wireless earbuds. Here's an example style I like: [paste example]"
Why: Examples show ChatGPT exactly what style, tone, or format you're looking for.
Ask for Multiple Options
✗ Don't
"Give me a title for my blog post"
✓ Do
"Give me 10 different title options for a blog post about productivity tips for remote workers"
Why: You can pick the best option or combine ideas from several suggestions.
Request Specific Formats
✗ Don't
"Summarize this article"
✓ Do
"Summarize this article in 5 bullet points, each under 20 words"
Why: ChatGPT can output tables, lists, code, JSON, markdown — just ask!
Iterate and Refine
✗ Don't
Accepting the first response even if it's not perfect
✓ Do
"Make it shorter" / "Add more examples" / "Make the tone more casual"
Why: ChatGPT remembers the conversation. Keep refining until it's exactly right.
Features Most People Don't Know About
ChatGPT has powerful features hidden in plain sight
Custom Instructions
Tell ChatGPT about yourself once, and it remembers for every conversation.
How: Click your profile → Custom instructions → Fill in both boxes
Chat History & Search
All your conversations are saved. Use the search bar to find past chats instantly.
How: Look at the sidebar → Use the search icon at the top
Organize with Folders
Group related conversations into folders. Keep work chats separate from personal experiments.
How: Hover over a chat → Click the folder icon → Create or select a folder
Browse the Web
ChatGPT Plus can search the internet for current information.
How: Start your prompt with "Search the web for..." or click the web icon
Generate Images (DALL-E)
ChatGPT can create images from text descriptions.
How: "Create an image of..." or "Draw me a..." (Plus/Pro only)
Voice Conversations
Talk to ChatGPT like you're on a phone call.
How: Mobile app → Tap the headphones icon → Start talking
Copy-Paste Prompt Templates
Ready-to-use prompts for common tasks
Learning
Explain Like I'm a Beginner
Template
Explain [TOPIC] in simple terms. Assume I know nothing about it. Use everyday analogies.
Create a Study Plan
Template
Create a 2-week study plan to learn [TOPIC]. Include daily tasks, resources, and milestones.
Writing
Improve My Writing
Template
Improve this text for clarity and flow. Keep my voice but make it more professional: [YOUR TEXT]
Email Draft
Template
Write a professional email to [RECIPIENT] about [PURPOSE]. Keep it under 150 words and friendly.
Productivity
Meeting Summary
Template
Summarize these meeting notes into: 1) Key decisions, 2) Action items with owners, 3) Next steps. Notes: [PASTE NOTES]
Pros and Cons
Template
Give me a detailed pros and cons analysis of [DECISION]. Consider cost, time, risks, and long-term impact.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One-word prompts
✗ Don't
"Marketing"
✓ Do
Add context: who, what, why, how long, what format, what tone
Why: Vague prompts get vague results.
Not providing context
✗ Don't
"Write a response"
✓ Do
Explain the situation: "I received this email from a client who is upset about..."
Why: Context shapes the response.
Accepting hallucinations
✗ Don't
Trusting statistics or quotes without checking
✓ Do
Ask "Are you sure about this?" or verify facts independently
Why: ChatGPT can make things up.
Starting fresh every time
✗ Don't
Creating a new chat for each related question
✓ Do
Continue in the same chat — ChatGPT remembers context
Why: Continuity improves responses.
Important Limitations to Know
Understanding its limits helps you use it more effectively
Knowledge Cutoff
Training data has a cutoff date. May not know about recent events.
Workaround: Use web browsing (Plus) or verify current info with other sources.
Hallucinations
Sometimes generates plausible but made-up information.
Workaround: Always verify important facts, especially statistics and citations.
Math & Logic Errors
Can still make calculation mistakes and logical errors.
Workaround: Double-check math. Ask to "think step by step" for complex reasoning.
Context Window Limits
Very long conversations may cause early parts to be "forgotten".
Workaround: Periodically summarize key points. Start fresh chats for new topics.
Quick Reference: Power Phrases
Use these phrases to instantly improve any ChatGPT conversation:
- →
Act as a [ROLE] with 10 years of experience - →
Explain this like I'm a complete beginner - →
Give me [NUMBER] different options - →
Format this as a table/list/steps - →
Make it shorter/longer/more casual/more formal - →
What questions should I be asking about this? - →
What am I missing or not considering? - →
Break this down into simple steps