How can you use ChatGPT & Co. to write high-quality content more efficiently (without writing like a robot)? The answer is my structured 8-step framework that helps you turn your ideas into any texts with the power of GenAI – from essays to articles etc.
I’ll guide you through the process – step-by-step – and give you customizable prompts to try yourself with your favorite AI chatbots. We’ll cover it all from creating your text’s key message to storylining to transforming talking points into the written-out version.
The crux: AI may assist you with a lot of heavy lifting (researching, reading, drafting etc.) which saves you time (and sometimes adds unexpected perspectives). BUT you need to bring your brain to the party too. Also, please note that AI outputs are not always reliable, so review critically and follow some best practices:
- Work interactively with this framework: Adjust prompts to suit your needs and give enough context to the AI. For that, use the [input fields] in each prompt template.
- Use AI tools to complement your human expertise and contribute your unique spin to it. Avoid using this framework 1:1 and treat AI outputs rather as suggestions.
- I recommend using a chatbot with web access (like Mistral, ChatGPT, Gemini etc.) to accelerate research and ground its answers with more recent data).
Table of Contents
Step 1: Craft Your Key Message & Catchy Title
What this is good for: This vital first step sets the stage for your whole text (its “north star”). What is the one key point/question/message your whole (e.g.) article “pays into” that fits your audience’s interests? (Note this first prompt template is a bit longer as we set the writing style instructions which we later in that chat only refer to. You can also park such recurring instructions in the Custom Instructions/System Prompt/etc.)
Prompt template (click to expand)
You are an experienced [blogger, author etc.]. Our [blog] is about [main topics]. We’re writing this [article] with the intention to [describe goal]. Our target audience are [describe typical reader]. Brainstorm [3] article concepts based on the materials below. Each concept should include a key question (from the audience’s view), a corresponding answer/thesis statement and an SEO-optimized title of [60-70] chars. Ensure the concepts fit the target text length of [800-1200] words. Complement web research. Use active, clear and concise language and simple words for readability. Tone of voice is [e.g. warm, confident]. Also, the following phrases (which are often used by bots) and its variants should be avoided and replaced by more conversational phrases: ‘delve’, ‘embark on journey’, ‘ever-evolving’, ‘fast-paced’, ‘Here is how’, ‘in summary’, ‘in the world of’, ‘it is not just’, ‘navigate the’, ‘remember, …’, ‘tapestry’ etc.
Extra source material/own ideas: [referred to context/attached docs/URLs etc.]
Step 2: Outline the Storyline as Chapter Headings
What it’s good for: A structured outline with clear, logical sections guides readers smoothly through your content. This helps in organizing thoughts and ensuring that each part of the text contributes to the overall narrative.
Prompt template
Create an outline of chapters for the chosen article concept provided below. Now, suggest [e.g. 3-5] chapters that coherently answer the article’s guiding main question. Each chapter heading should be compelling and include its main talking points in brackets, too. Ensure the final outline is clear and fits the target text length of [e.g. 800-1200] words. Conduct complementary web research to add depth where it adds value. Follow the writing style instructions from my previous message.
Article concept: [Enter selected/revised article concept]
Step 3: Add Talking Points for Each Chapter
What it’s good for: This ensures that your text sections are comprehensive and cover all necessary aspects. Apply this prompt for every single chapter. At this point, you should have a new Word document open where you start organizing and editing your content (or use the “Canvas” feature in ChatGPT & Co.)
Prompt template
Suggest talking points for the chapter [name chapter] from the chosen outline as provided below. Complement your drafting with insights from the provided documents and your web research on the text’s topic (incl. source citation). Summarize [e.g. 3-5] main points, arguments or examples for this chapter. Each talking point should be articulated as a one- to three-sentence long bullet point. Follow the writing style instructions from my previous message.
Article outline: [Enter selected/revised text outline from step 2]
Step 4: From Bullet Points to Polished Text
What it’s good for: Expanding the talking points into detailed, written-out paragraphs for a well-structured/flowing and readable text. I’d apply this prompt for every main chapter individually (except for the conclusion and intro chapters which follow in step 5+ for logical reasons).
Prompt template
Turn the talking points of the chapter [name chapter] into its written-out text. Each bullet point roughly corresponds to one paragraph. Write clear, concise and well-flowing paragraphs, ensuring the chapter is cohesive as a whole and doesn’t exceed [e.g. 250] words. Keep in mind this chapters must be complementary to all other chapters in the end. Follow the writing style instructions from my previous message.
Step 5: Write the Text’s Conclusion Chapter
What it’s good for: Reinforcing the text’s main message and encouraging reader engagement; well-written conclusions leave a strong impression on the reader. (FYI: I typically write conclusions before intros and then reverse-engineer the latter to set the stage well.)
Prompt template
Now, write the conclusion chapter. For that, summarize the key takeaways related to the text’s original main question and answer/thesis statement as well as an engaging call-to-action (which can also be a question for reflection). The conclusion should fit within [e.g. 125] words. Follow the writing style instructions from my previous message.
Step 6: Write the Introduction
What it’s good for: Capturing your reader’s interest right from the start is critical in our “attention economy”. An effective intro also helps set the right expectations. (Ideally, your intro and conclusion act like two sides of the same coin – centered around your text’s main “research question” and answer/thesis statement.)
Prompt template
Now, help me write the introduction chapter for this text. Start with a relatable hook and introduce the [article]’s purpose and core thesis statement. Only add the bare minimum of context that the reader needs to read before proceeding with the text’s main body chapters. Essentially, this chapter should be a complementary mirror image of the conclusion chapter. This introduction should fit within [e.g. 125] words. Follow the writing style instructions from my previous message.
Step 7: Optimize the Text for SEO/GEO
What it’s good for: This makes use of AI’s power to optimize your content with relevant keywords to improve its visibility in search engines (“SEO”) or AI chatbots like ChatGPT (“GEO”). (To be fair, this (optional) step – i.e. “using AI to rank better for AI” – feels a bit “voodoo” to me. There are specialized tools for SEO/GEO (e.g. Conductor) to consider, if you’re serious about it. But this is still better than nothing IMO…)
Prompt template
Please generate [e.g. ~10] SEO/GEO key words/phrases for this [article]. First, do web research on current trends in this niche (Google Trends logic) to figure out what our readers care about/search for on Google, ChatGPT etc. Then, list your prioritized key words/phrases (with a good balance across factors like search volume and competitiveness). Then, check (and mark) which ones were already in the text and which ones not. Lastly, for the latter, weave them into the text so each appears at least once (ideally in the first paragraphs). Integrate them naturally/don’t disrupt the text flow. Don’t make any changes to the text beyond the scope of this task.
Step 8: Summarize the Text’s Key Takeaways
What it’s good for: A crisp summary – like this article’s – serves as your content’s “sneak preview”. It gives your (potential) readers a quick idea of what to expect (and chance to gauge its relevance). When well-written, chances are they want to jump into it…
Prompt template
Finally, write a crisp summary of this [article]. Format the summary as [e.g. written-out text, bullet points]. Prioritize word-efficiency, i.e. write with a relatively higher density of information. Essentially, the summary should capture the text’s take home message (i.e. purpose/thesis statement) while avoiding unnecessary fluff. Ensure the summary fits within [e.g. 20-30, i.e. rather shorter for SEO reasons] words. Follow the general writing style instructions from my first prompts.
Wrap-up: Save Time but Keep Your Own Voice
I can’t emphasize it enough: Tweak all prompts, proof-read/edit a lot and feed your AI helper with enough substance from your own thinking. Let the AI do some heavy lifting, but adding your personal flavor and redactional ownership (as the human in the loop) is ultimately on you.
This guide/framework is designed to help you create high-quality content (stemming from your unique, lived experience and wisdom which your chatbot doesn’t substitute), not robotic “cookie-cutter” slop. Use it to accelerate, not to dull your creation process.
Now, it’s your turn to put it into action. Did you follow along? Feel free to share your creations (or other tips etc.) in the comments or get in touch.
Cheers,
John
What do you think?