How to Quickly Get Started Using ChatGPT
You keep hearing about ChatGPT and you’re finally ready to get started. It might feel like an overwhelming and unfamiliar task but don’t worry: you don’t need to master every nuance of AI to start benefiting from it. One of the most user-friendly tools out there is ChatGPT, a conversational AI developed by OpenAI. ChatGPT is a LLM: Language Learning Model. Below, we’ll explore how to quickly get started using ChatGPT, plus real-world examples of how it can transform your work—whether you’re a nonprofit writing a grant or a local electrical company looking to create educational video scripts for your YouTube channel. Subscribe to my newsletter How to Quickly Get Started Using ChatGPT Create an Account Head over to chat.openai.com and follow the instructions to create a free OpenAI account. Once logged in, you’ll be able to start using ChatGPT almost immediately. Craft Your Prompt Think of ChatGPT as a knowledgeable teammate. The clearer your instructions (or “prompt”), the better the output. For example, if you need a blog outline, specify the style, length, and tone you’re looking for. Use more than one prompt. I like to call this: priming the pump. Metaphor: Before you can get the good water from a pump, you have to move the handle up and down until the good water comes flowing out. Sort of the same thing when using prompts with ChatGPT. Don’t just give it one prompt: give it two or three before you let it give you the content you’re after. My Hot Tip for a More Successful Outcome with ChatGPT: Set it up for success. A foolproof way for beginners to craft more excellent outcomes is this: after you’ve provided your prompt, ask it: Is there anything else you need to know from me in order to do an excellent job on the content you are about to provide? In the example below, you’ll see my prompt and below that, you’ll see ChatGPT’s response Framework to get a list of blog post ideas for Women’s History Month: Prompt 1: ChatGPT’s Response: Here’s the answer I gave it: Here’s the information it gave me (below). Be sure you check out the information yourself. ChatGPT can make mistakes, as of early 2025. (Note: I only pasted the first 2 examples). Good information, right? It would have taken me a few hours to research and find all that information prior to 2022, before ChatGPT launched. Review and Refine ChatGPT might not get everything perfect on the first try. Read through the AI-generated content, make edits, and re-prompt ChatGPT with additional details or corrections. It seems to like the word “tailored” and tends to overuse it. In fact, there are many default words ChatGPT relies on. Here’s a list of commonly used words and phrases that ChatGPT tends to use a lot. Be sure to tell it not to use any of those words. Stay Informed As with all technology, ChatGPT keeps evolving. Keep an eye on new features, integrations, and best practices shared by OpenAI and the broader user community. Why Use ChatGPT at All? Here’s one reason that’s pretty important: A report by IBM found that businesses using “AI infused virtual agents” can reduce customer service costs by up to 30% while improving customer satisfaction and loyalty. Also, by using ChatGPT, you’re using some of the most advanced language capabilities AI has to offer, enabling you to work smarter, not harder. Example Use Case #1: Nonprofit Grant Writing Nonprofits often operate with limited staff and resources, making grant writing a time-consuming challenge. Here’s how ChatGPT can streamline the process: Outline the Grant Proposal Prompt ChatGPT to generate a structured outline that includes sections like “Executive Summary,” “Project Description,” “Budget,” and “Measurable Outcomes.” Be sure to “prime the pump” so it ends up knowing who the target audience is; what the goal is; what is your expected outcome. You know: set it up for success. Draft Paragraphs Ask ChatGPT to expand each section into a first draft. Specify details about your organization’s mission, the community you serve, and any key data points you want highlighted. Review and Personalize Edit the AI-generated text to ensure it aligns with your nonprofit’s voice and goals. Add real-life examples and statistics to strengthen credibility. Proof and Polish Use ChatGPT again to proofread, check grammar, or suggest clearer phrasing. You could choose to use another AI agent: Grammarly or Jasper.ai. The result? A solid grant proposal in a fraction of the time it usually takes. Outcome: By mastering ChatGPT, a nonprofit can save hours—if not days—of writing and rewriting, freeing staff to focus on relationship-building with donors and the communities they serve. Finally, your staff will have more time to concentrate on other important tasks now that they know how to save time with AI. I encourage you to experiment with Claude; Jasper.ai and/or Brandwell (formerly: Content At Scale). I’ve experimented with all of these, plus, ChatGPT since 2022. They continually get better and better! If you consider yourself a novice with AI writing solutions, I recommend you start with ChatGPT or Claude. Example Use Case #2: Local Electrical Company Video Scripts Even a small local business like an electrical company can benefit greatly from ChatGPT. Imagine you want to create a series of educational videos for your customers on home safety, EV charging, and more. ChatGPT can help: Generate Topics and Titles Prompt ChatGPT for video topic ideas that resonate with homeowners, such as “Top Five Ways to Prevent Electrical Hazards in Your Home” or “EV Charging Basics for Beginners.” (Remember my advice elsewhere in this blog post.) Create a Script Outline Ask ChatGPT to produce a script outline including an introduction, key talking points, safety warnings, and a clear call-to-action at the end. Do not let it be your final draft. You’re the expert. Edit the script to your liking. Draft the Full Script Once you approve the outline, let ChatGPT flesh out each point. It can add friendly language, technical details, or anecdotes to keep