Show Notes
This 30-minute masterclass tightens your ChatGPT skills from zero to usable, covering models, prompts, projects, and practical workflows like canvas collaboration and voice input. It’s packed with concrete tips you can apply right away.
Why ChatGPT and how to pick a model
- ChatGPT is the go-to due to wide adoption and longevity.
- Models come in base (fast, cheap, great for quick questions) and premium (advanced reasoning with Chain of Thought).
- What to use:
- Base models: for most questions and everyday tasks.
- Premium models: for harder problems or where you want the model to reveal its reasoning.
- Quick guidance: start with base; reach for premium when you need deeper reasoning. Be aware premium options may have different response quotas or limitations.
- Quick note on terminology: “model” is the AI brain; “prompt” is how you talk to it.
Prompts: design, prompts, prompts
- A prompt is how you tell the model what you want. Since these models learned from the internet, being specific matters a lot.
- Prompt quality scales with specificity:
- Level 0: simple request (not very helpful)
- Level 1–3: progressively more context and structure
- Roleplay prompts (e.g., “You are an expert on statistics…”) yield better results
- Prompts are reusable. Save good prompts in a library or notes so you don’t rewrite them every time.
- Template idea: use ad-lib prompts you can fill in as needed.
- Advanced tip (for pros): XML-style prompt structure (Role, Purpose, Instructions, Input, Output) to squeeze maximum quality. See an example below.
Code block: sample advanced prompt template
<Role> You are a professional YouTube content strategist.
<Purpose> Generate 10 engaging video titles for a 2025 beginner-friendly ChatGPT tutorial.
<Instructions> Use strong, clear phrasing. Keep titles under 70 characters. Prioritize curiosity and clarity.
<Input> Video topic: "Chat GPT Tutorial for Beginners 2025" in 30 minutes.
<Output> Provide a numbered list of 10 titles, each on its own line.
Navigation and core features you’ll use
- New Chat: start fresh conversations.
- Sora: ChatGPT’s video model for generating video ideas (highlighted as a newer model type).
- Custom GPTs: agents with fixed instruction sets (examples in the video include Landing Page Critic, Homework Helper, Project Researcher).
- Projects: collect chats with common context and files; assign a shared memory and instructions; upload PDFs or data to keep work cohesive.
- Chats and Tools: you’ll see the same “project” structure inside a chat; you can switch models, organize chats, and assign them to projects.
- Visual customization: color themes for groups or projects.
Canvas: collaborative editing with AI
- Canvas is a Google Docs-like editor that pairs with AI for live editing.
- How it works:
- Paste a draft into Canvas; the AI can refine, add data, and restructure.
- Highlight sections to prompt more content or request changes.
- Use the “Final polish” tool to tighten language; “Reading level” to simplify (aim for fifth grade for broad comprehension).
- Benefits:
- Split view: left pane is chat, right pane is the evolving document.
- Inline prompts let you refine specific sections without reworking the whole draft.
- Version history lets you revert or compare past drafts.
- Practical tips:
- Use strong, assertive language in prompts to steer the AI.
- You can copy, share, or export polished text directly from Canvas.
Tools you’ll actually use in practice
- Search tool: useful for web citations and fielding up-to-date info, but some tools may be restricted depending on the model you’re using.
- Image generation: Dolly-like image models for visuals; note branding limitations and copyright policies (e.g., avoid branded or copyrighted characters).
- Voice mode: real-time or transcribed voice input; great for brainstorming on the fly. Available on iOS and desktop (with mic access); transcripts can be copied or edited in real time.
- Reading level control: simplifying copy to a lower grade level helps with clarity and accessibility.
- Model switching: most changes happen globally, but Canvas can also be used to keep a consistent context across prompts.
Use cases and practical workflows
- Headlines project: create a focused workspace to generate and refine titles. Choose a higher-tier model when you need deeper reasoning or longer outputs.
- Prompt templates for quick tasks: build a library of prompts for common topics (e.g., video titles, outlines, summaries).
- Fisherman prompt: a rapid-learning framework that turns any topic into a guided lesson plan. Copy the core structure, customize topics, and generate a mini-course with chapters and subtopics.
- Lesson-ready prompts: use a structured prompt to teach yourself new topics with concrete examples, prompts, and questions at the end of each chapter.
- The Homework Helper/Project Helper concept: set up a custom GPT with fixed instructions to handle recurring tasks (e.g., data analysis, report drafting).
Sample practical prompts (quick-start)
- Quick prompt to generate a title
- Role: You are a professional YouTube title writer.
- Purpose: Create 10 click-worthy titles for a 2025 ChatGPT beginner tutorial.
- Instructions: Keep it punchy, under 70 characters, varied angles.
- Input: Video topic “Chat GPT Tutorial for Beginners 2025.”
- Output: 10 bullet titles.
- Fisherman prompt starter (learning framework)
- Role: You are a patient AI teacher.
- Purpose: Create a concise, structured mini-course for a beginner in ChatGPT.
- Instructions: Use chapters, clear subtopics, practical examples, and quick quizzes.
- Input: Topics: models, canvas, tools.
- Output: Chapter-by-chapter course with examples.
Quick actionable takeaways
- Start with base models for everyday tasks; reserve premium for complex reasoning.
- Learn and reuse prompts; build a personal prompt library.
- Use the Projects feature to keep related chats, files, and instructions in one place.
- Leverage Canvas for collaborative drafting with AI to produce publish-ready content.
- Explore voice mode to brainstorm ideas hands-free; try both text and voice to find what works best for you.
- Use the reading level and final polish tools to improve accessibility and polish quickly.
- When in doubt, structure prompts with roles and clear purpose, then layer in specifics.
Final tips
- Practice with prompts daily; small gains compound quickly.
- Save successful prompts and templates for repeat use.
- If you want deeper dives, Parker’s Trouble Free resources have libraries and tutorials to go beyond this overview.