In my previous posts, we’ve explored various aspects of AI in email marketing, from crafting effective prompts to leveraging AI for evergreen newsletters.

Today, I want to address some common mistakes people make when using ChatGPT and provide tips on how to avoid them.

1. Limiting ChatGPT to Basic Writing Tasks

While I also use it regularly for creating content, ChatGPT is capable of so much more. For me personally, ChatGPT is my sparring partner that helps me think through all kinds of things. It helps me get my head around difficult topics to tackle at work, it gives me advice on personal issues, it helps me write strategy plans. You name it. I probably use it more for these kinds of tasks than for writing copy.

2. Not Using ChatGPT’s voice mode

I very often find myself having an actual conversation with my ChatGPT iPhone app.

I will ask it to

• role-play a conversation I am about to have
• interview me on a topic and then write a blog post based on my input
• help me think through a situation I need to tackle
• brainstorm ideas while multitasking
• practice my Greek because I don’t often have the opportunity to speak it with someone

And the best part? When I am done, I will have a transcript of the conversation that I can refer back to.

3. Not Taking Advantage of ChatGPT’s Customization Features

How many of you have actually taken the time to customize ChatGPT? It’s an option that is available to anyone, even users of the free version.

It allows you to tell ChatGPT what you want it to know about you to provide better responses. So I told it who I am, what kind of work I do, what my hobbies are and what my biggest challenges are. And it will bring these things up in conversations without me actually having to give it that context.

You can also tell it how you’d like it to respond to you. In my case, I told it to always ask for my approval when it writes something for me and after I approve it to provide its output to me in a code block with markdown.

If you have the paid version, you can also create your own custom GPTs and for me, that is where the real power of ChatGPT lies. It allows you to create your own specialized AI assistants for very specific tasks.

Some assistants I have created include:

• one that writes email and discussions topics for our motorcycle forum in my specific tone of voice
• one that is a personal coach that I trained on my Insights, MBTI and Core Talents profile
• one that helps me write instructions for custom GPTs
• one that can analyze the tone and voice of any type of copy I give it
• and many more.

Not Understanding ChatGPT’s Memory Limitations

Because ChatGPT has a finite context window, it may forget things that we discussed earlier in a conversation. So it’s best to break down complex tasks into smaller chunks, regularly summarize important information, and use external tools for long-term memory needs.

Don’t assume it remembers previous conversations unless you’ve explicitly provided that context.

Having said that, ChatGPT does have a memory function that you can activate and manage. In the settings it’s called “Personalization” and you can click the “Manage” button to see what it remembers about past conversations. During any conversation you can ask it to remember something and it will add it to its memory.

Neglecting to Fact-check

You always need to verify ChatGPT’s information:

• Use it as a starting point rather than the final word
• Ask it to cite its sources when it provides you with information and verify them
• Cross-reference with reliable sources
• Be especially cautious with timely or specialized information

Not providing clear instructions

If you want the output to be good, you have to be willing to put in the time to explain in detail what you want it to do. It cannot infer what you mean. You need to spell it out.

So:

• be specific about your requirements
• provide context and all the background information you’d give an intern for example
• use examples to illustrate what you want
• tell it what tone and voice you want it to use
• specify how it should give you its output, for example: a table with columns X, Y and Z

Just don’t assume the AI knows your intentions.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to effectively use AI in email marketing, including how to avoid these common mistakes, I’m excited to share that Jeanne Jennings and I are hosting a live online workshop, “Master AI for Email Marketing: Learn to Develop Quality Campaigns with ChatGPT” on August 12-13, 2024.

In this hands-on ONLINE workshop, you’ll learn:

• to leverage AI for comprehensive email marketing campaign development
• create your own team of AI assistants
• craft effective prompts
• understand when to use publicly available AI tools.

We’ll be offering plenty of practical exercises under our expert guidance.

We have limited spots available, so don’t miss this opportunity to transform your email marketing strategies.

I’d love to hear about your experiences with ChatGPT. Have you encountered any of these common mistakes? How have you overcome them? Share your thoughts in the comments below!