Not sure how to compose a sales email? Need input for a presentation, social media post, or blog post? Perhaps you just need a recipe to use up the leftovers in your fridge? Don't worry, ChatGPT can handle it for you. Just like a cup of coffee gives you a caffeine boost, this text generation software can serve as a virtual assistant, providing you with an energy boost in creativity and productivity. In the following article, we'll answer questions about the key basics and reveal how you can optimize the use of this exciting tool in marketing and sales. And if you haven't acquired enough knowledge by the end – you know, caffeine is addictive – we cordially invite you to our special webinars, where we'll dive even deeper into the world of neural networks.
What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) is a large language model based on OpenAI's groundbreaking GPT-3 architecture. It is specialized in providing natural and human-like responses to text inputs and enabling conversational interactions in various languages. It operates based on a neural network that has been trained on extensive data, allowing it to develop a deeper understanding of human language. Depending on the version (currently GPT 3.5 and 4 are available), ChatGPT can, for example...
...answer questions: ChatGPT can answer questions on various topics by drawing from a wide range of information and databases (Note: Knowledge is only up to September 2021!).
...generate texts: ChatGPT can generate texts for presentations, product descriptions, technical documentation, blog posts, and more.
...translate texts: ChatGPT can translate texts into another language, considering the context and correct meaning.
...correct texts: ChatGPT can help with proofreading spelling mistakes, grammar issues, or improving writing style.
...summarize texts: ChatGPT can summarize long texts, articles, or even entire books.
...generate ideas: ChatGPT can provide insights for new ideas, stories, or concepts based on existing information and instructions.
...support decision-making: ChatGPT can provide information and arguments to facilitate decision-making processes (e.g., travel planning, product selection, or strategic planning).
IMPORTANT: To achieve optimal results in all these tasks, the quality of the input is crucial.
We discuss in detail how to prepare your content optimally for ChatGPT and provide concrete examples for presentations, social media postings, sales emails, and more in our free ChatGPT webinars. Interested? Sign up here!
How can ChatGPT be used in marketing and sales?
If you work in marketing and sales, you know how important it is to communicate effectively with customers and prospects. However, sometimes finding the right words within a short time can be a challenge. This is where ChatGPT comes into play. You can use it, for example, for social media to quickly respond to (customer) inquiries or create posting texts. Furthermore, ChatGPT can provide helpful analyses for your competitor research, create compelling product descriptions for sales presentations, formulate engaging messages for sales and cold outreach emails, generate ideas for blog posts, or structure their content.
What data does ChatGPT rely on and what should be considered when using it?
As a neural network, ChatGPT draws on a wide range of data, including various public sources such as the internet, books, articles, and more.
IMPORTANT: ChatGPT is trained only on information up to the year 2021! If it doesn't have the required data for your query, it will generate a plausible-sounding response. This applies not only to flowing text but also to quotes, code snippets, or website links.
When using ChatGPT, it is important to critically evaluate, revise, and potentially contribute your own expertise to the generated results to correct possible errors. It is also advisable to use ChatGPT as a tool for support and inspiration rather than relying solely on it as the definitive source for content.
What is a prompt and how is it structured?
A prompt is the request you make to ChatGPT in order to receive a response. To create an optimal prompt, it is important to formulate clearly and precisely what you expect from ChatGPT. The most important formula for this is: "Act as [role], create a [task], present it in [format]." The more specific your input is, the more specific ChatGPT's output will be. It is helpful to provide text examples, context information, or instructions to achieve the desired results.
Here's a simple example: "You are a sales expert at [company name] and need to create a sales presentation for [product]. The subtitle should be [title]. In the following paragraph, you will find all the important product information [paragraph for product information]. Structure the presentation with an introductory section, three main points where you present the top ten benefits, and a persuasive conclusion. Present the information as flowing text, using a motivating and persuasive tone to engage potential customers."
IMPORTANT: By giving ChatGPT a detailed briefing and specifying your requirements accurately, you can ensure that the generated text aligns with your expectations. You can even request information to be presented not only as flowing text but also in the form of tables, for example.
What is a mega prompt?
A mega prompt is a longer text that contains more context and information. Unlike a traditional prompt, a mega prompt allows for more comprehensive interaction with ChatGPT. This can be useful when you need a detailed explanation, an elaborate story, or to solve a complex task such as creating website content.
TIP: To improve the quality of the output, you can ask ChatGPT to ask you questions after your input until it can solve your task optimally.
How can prompts be optimized for sales and marketing?
One effective way to optimize prompts is by using placeholders or variables indicated by square brackets. These placeholders serve as markers in the text where specific information or content will be inserted later.
A practical example is using placeholders for personalized information. For instance, when generating an email, you can use the placeholder [Name] to automatically insert the recipient's name. So the text prompt could be: "Dear [Name], I would like to introduce our latest products to you..."
By using placeholders in square brackets, you enable dynamic customization of the generated text. It is important to clearly label the placeholders and ensure that the expected content is correctly inserted.
Here are a few more exciting ways to optimize the output of your prompts:
- Text reformulation: Reformulate this text in the style of [style]: "[insert text]."
- Responding to comments on social media platforms: Please reply to this [platform name] comment I received on my [media type] in a [tone]: [insert comment].
- Alternative title search: Give me some alternative titles for my [media type] about [topic]: [insert title].
- Keyword search or brainstorming: Provide me with a list of keywords related to "[topic]."
Which versions of ChatGPT are available and what are their respective advantages?
Currently, there are two versions available: the free ChatGPT 3.5 and the paid ChatGPT 4 ($20 per month). The two versions differ in terms of training data and, in certain areas, capabilities. The free version currently allows uploading up to 2,000 words, but processing can be slow. On the other hand, GPT 4 can handle up to 25,000 words and is capable of providing longer responses.
The most significant improvement is in language processing ability. ChatGPT 4 has greater processing capacity than its predecessor versions, enabling better understanding and handling of complex inputs. This is intended to result in more human-like communication and greater accuracy in answering questions. GPT 4 offers faster and more precise text generation, although usage is currently limited to 25 messages within three hours.
However, please be cautious: OpenAI warns that even the latest version, which has knowledge up until September 2021, can "hallucinate" and make mistakes. It is essential to fact-check all information.
TIP: You can ask ChatGPT if it has made up any information. A personal check is nevertheless recommended.
We hope this provides you with a good initial overview of ChatGPT and its use in marketing and sales. If you need an extra caffeine boost in prompt creation and are interested in further tips and tricks, we would be delighted to welcome you to one of our free ChatGPT webinars!