Let’s be honest — talking to ChatGPT can feel a little weird at first. You type something in, hit Enter, and suddenly an AI spits out an answer that sounds… kind of like a genius robot. Or sometimes just a confusing mess.
If you’ve ever wondered:
“Why does it give me generic responses?”
“How do I get better results?”
“Am I using this thing right?”
You’re not alone. Most people never learn how to properly “talk” to AI.
But here’s the truth: the magic of ChatGPT comes down to how you prompt it. A good prompt can unlock incredibly specific, useful, and even creative results — while a weak one leaves you with vague, repetitive answers.
This post is your guide to fixing that. I’ll show you how to:
Write prompts that get great results
Use tone, structure, and roles effectively
Avoid common mistakes
Master the art of communicating with ChatGPT like a pro — no tech background needed
Ready? Let’s dive into the conversation.
First: Think of ChatGPT as a Really Helpful Intern
Here’s a mindset shift that changes everything: ChatGPT is like an eager, endlessly patient intern. It wants to help, it works super fast, but… it’s not a mind reader.
You have to give it:
Clear instructions
Context about the task
An example or two, if possible
The more specific you are, the better it performs.
Basic Prompt Structure: The 4-Part Formula
Most people type short, vague prompts like “write a business plan” and get disappointed. But if you use this simple structure, your results instantly improve:
1. Role
Who should ChatGPT act as?
“You are a business strategist…”
2. Goal
What do you want it to do, exactly?
“…help me create a marketing plan…”
3. Details
Who is this for, what’s the industry, what’s the style or tone?
“…for a small vegan café in Toronto. The tone should be casual and warm.”
4. Format (Optional)
Do you want a list? A script? A paragraph?
“Give it to me in bullet points.”
Full Prompt:
“You are a marketing strategist. Help me write a 3-month marketing plan for a small vegan café in Toronto. Tone: casual and warm. Use bullet points.”
This kind of prompt takes an extra 30 seconds — but gives you way better output.
Pro Move: Use System Roles
Telling ChatGPT who it is makes a big difference. Try these:
| Role | Example Prompt |
|---|---|
| Copywriter | “You’re a copywriter. Write a homepage intro for…” |
| Teacher | “You’re a tutor. Teach me basic budgeting in plain language.” |
| Therapist | “You’re a wellness coach. Help me create a self-care routine.” |
| Interviewer | “You’re a podcast host. Ask me 10 deep questions about my business.” |
This adds personality to the response — and keeps it aligned with your goal.
Prompt Examples You Can Copy and Tweak
Here are some versatile prompts you can use in real-life scenarios:
Writing Content
“Act as a content marketer. Help me write a 500-word blog post titled ‘How to Stay Focused When Working from Home.’ Make it practical, friendly, and relatable. Include a short intro and three main tips.”
Email Crafting
“You’re an email copywriter. Write a short, punchy email for a personal finance coach offering a free discovery call. Tone: bold and energetic. Include a subject line.”
Goal Planning
“Act like a life coach. Help me break down my goal of writing a book this year. Create a weekly plan over 3 months. Make it motivating but realistic.”
Creative Work
“You’re a podcast producer. Help me script a 2-minute intro for my new show about tech and entrepreneurship. The tone should be modern, smart, and a bit cheeky.”
Don’t Forget Follow-Ups
Here’s the part most people miss: You can talk back. ChatGPT is a conversation.
Say things like:
“Make it shorter.”
“Rewrite this in a more casual tone.”
“Add an example to point #2.”
“Turn this into a LinkedIn post.”
Each reply is a chance to refine and co-create. You’re not just prompting — you’re collaborating.
ChatGPT Prompting Mistakes to Avoid
Let’s clear up a few myths and bad habits:
❌ Too vague
Bad: “Write a blog post”
Better: “Write a 500-word blog post for beginners on how to use Midjourney to make AI art for Etsy.”
❌ Too demanding without context
Bad: “Give me 10 business ideas now”
Better: “Suggest 10 AI-related business ideas for solopreneurs with a creative background and no coding experience.”
❌ Forgetting to test small outputs
Start with an outline or a short paragraph — then build from there.
Want to try this yourself?
Check out our ChatGPT Tool Guide to get started, learn the basics, and explore prompt tips curated by LiberNation.
Pro Tips to Go From Good to Great
Use brackets to add variables:
“Write a post about [productivity tips] for [freelancers] in a [motivational] tone.”
Save your best prompts:
Create a Prompt Library in Notion or Google Docs.Use ChatGPT to improve your own prompts:
“How can I improve this prompt: [paste your prompt]?”
Stack prompts:
Use one output as input for another task. (Ex: use an outline to write a social media caption.)
Final Thoughts: AI Is a Tool — But You’re Still the Artist
Learning to prompt well is a bit like learning to lead. The AI is powerful, but you set the vision.
When you learn to talk to ChatGPT with intention, clarity, and creativity — the results can be stunning. It feels less like “using a tool” and more like co-writing, co-thinking, and co-building with something that understands your goals.
You don’t need fancy language. You don’t need to be technical.
You just need to be specific, curious, and willing to test things out.
Your best results are just one great prompt away.
Every voice matters in our movement. If you’d like to collaborate, suggest a topic, or simply say hello — contact us