Hi, folks today I am going to go over how to ask ChatGPT to produce better output by “taking on the persona of”, a mathematician, psychologist, or internet marketing expert. It may seem strange that ChatGPT would produce different outputs if asked to take on a different persona but take a look at some of the experiments below.
Requesting that ChatGPT take on the persona of an expert in a particular field can greatly affect the output it generates. Logically speaking we are narrowing the range of information it can pull from to focus on a more important subset.
Key Fact
Narrowing a chatbot’s focus is a type of attention mechanism that is key to understanding how to work with AI.
The goal for today is to help my readers understand,
- How professional or expert personas change ChatGPTs Output
- How using more than one persona in a prompt can improve output
- Positive and Negative Impacts on output
Table of Contents
- Benefits of Having a ChatBot Use a Professional Persona
- Drawbacks of Having a Chatbot Use a Professional Persona
- Examples of ChatGPT’s Responses When Portraying Different Professional Personas
- Having ChatGPT Emulate “Non-Humans”
- Using Double Personas Within a Single Prompt
- Tips for Choosing and Using a Professional Persona Effectively
- Wrapping It All Up
Benefits of Having a ChatBot Use a Professional Persona
Using a professional persona in prompt creation can greatly benefit the output. Here are some of the key benefits:
- Increased Credibility: By having ChatGPT adopt a professional persona, you can establish yourself as an “insider” in a particular field. This can increase your credibility with your audience and make the chatbot’s output more trustworthy.
- Relevance: By having ChatGPT use a professional persona can also help you create texts that are more relevant to your audience. By understanding the needs and perspectives of your intended audience, you can tailor your prompts to be more useful and engaging.
- Engagement: A well-crafted professional persona can also make your prompt output more engaging and interesting. By injecting personality and humor into your prompts, you can capture your audience’s attention and keep them interested in the topic.
- Accuracy: By limiting ChatGPT to an “Expert” role you are limiting ChatGPTs ability to answer to a subset of more accurate information.
- Bigger Picture: Using an expert ChatGPT persona gives answers that give more of a system focus.
Of course, there are also some potential drawbacks to asking ChatGPT to use a professional or expert persona. For example, there is a risk of bias and potential limitations of knowledge. Additionally, using a persona that is too far removed from your own expertise can result in outputs that are inaccurate or irrelevant. (You should always fact-check AI’s output for accuracy lest you have issues).
Overall, the benefits of asking ChatGPT to use a professional persona in output generation outweigh the potential drawbacks in most cases. Select a persona that is well-researched, relevant to your audience, and balanced with your own expertise, you can create prompt outputs that are informative, engaging, and effective.
Drawbacks of Having a Chatbot Use a Professional Persona
While using a chatbot professional persona can greatly enhance the quality and relevance of prompt outputs, it is important to recognize that there are also potential drawbacks to consider.
One potential drawback is the risk of biases and limitations of knowledge. As an expert in a particular field, it can be easy to become entrenched in a certain way of thinking and overlook alternative perspectives or solutions. This can lead to a narrow focus and potentially flawed output.
Another potential drawback is the risk of alienating certain audiences. While using a professional persona can increase credibility and relevance for those within a specific field, it may not resonate as well with those outside of that field. This can limit the reach and impact of the prompt.
Furthermore, using a professional persona requires a significant amount of research and preparation. It is important that your prompts accurately portray the persona and maintain a level of expertise and neutrality throughout the prompt creation and output process. This can be time-consuming and may not always be feasible for every prompt.
Overall, while using a professional persona can greatly enhance the quality and relevance of prompt output, it is important to carefully consider the potential drawbacks and weigh them against the benefits before asking ChatGPT to use a professional persona.
Examples of ChatGPT’s Responses When Portraying Different Professional Personas
Let’s take a look at how ChatGPT would respond to questions posed by different professional personas. These examples will show you how using a professional persona can greatly impact the quality and relevance of the output.
Let’s start with a look at the difference in response between “regular ChatGPT” and ChatGPT writing as one of the greatest mathematicians of all time
Regular ChatGPT Response
What is a prime and why are they useful?
A prime number is a natural number greater than 1 that is divisible only by 1 and itself. In other words, it has no positive integer divisors other than 1 and itself. For example, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, and so on are all prime numbers.
Prime numbers are important in mathematics and computer science for several reasons. Here are a few examples:
Cryptography: Prime numbers are used in cryptography, which is the practice of securing communication from adversaries. Prime numbers are particularly useful in creating public-key encryption systems, such as RSA, which are widely used to secure online transactions.
Factorization: Prime numbers are important in the process of factorization, which involves breaking down a composite number into its prime factors. This is useful in solving many mathematical problems, including finding the greatest common divisor of two numbers, simplifying fractions, and solving certain types of equations.
Number theory: Prime numbers are also central to number theory, the branch of mathematics that deals with the properties and behavior of integers. Many important and fascinating results in number theory rely on the properties of prime numbers, including the famous twin prime conjecture, which states that there are infinitely many pairs of prime numbers that differ by 2.
In short, prime numbers play a crucial role in a wide range of mathematical and computational fields, making them an important concept to understand for anyone interested in these areas.
Great Mathematician
I want you to reply like one of the greatest mathematicians of all time. What is a prime and why are they useful?
As a language model, I can simulate the writing style of great mathematicians, but please note that my response is generated based on their known works and style and may not represent their exact words or thoughts.
My dear friend, the concept of primes has intrigued mathematicians for millennia, and it continues to be a fundamental area of study in the field of number theory. A prime number is a positive integer greater than one that is divisible only by one and itself.
The importance of prime numbers arises from their unique properties, which have numerous applications in various fields of mathematics and beyond. For instance, primes play a crucial role in cryptography, which is essential for secure communication over the internet. They also form the building blocks of integers, and the study of prime numbers has led to significant insights into the structure of the natural numbers.
Moreover, prime numbers have many fascinating properties, including their distribution, factorization, and relation to other number-theoretic functions. The Riemann Hypothesis, one of the most famous unsolved problems in mathematics, is closely related to the distribution of prime numbers.
In conclusion, prime numbers hold a special place in the hearts of mathematicians, and their study has led to many breakthroughs and insights into the nature of numbers. Their importance extends far beyond the realm of mathematics and into practical applications in cryptography, computer science, and other fields.
Now unless you are a mathemetician, you might not see a lot of difference in the content. But if you know some prime number theory you notice a few things.
Differences
- Regular ChatGPT – Focused more on simpler concepts that are taught in elementary or middle school, factorization, fractions, and composite numbers. The unsolved problem mentioned, the twin prime conjecture, can be understood easily by 6th graders. The tone is neutral and pretty blah.
- Great Mathematician – Focused more on the structure of numbers and he mentions the Reiman hypothesis. These are the type of advanced topics that you might hear about in a number theory class. The tone that the prompt output is written in is also more enthusiastic about math in general.
Now, let’s switch gears and imagine a question about REM sleep.
Regular ChatGPT Response
What is REM sleep?
REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep is one of the stages of sleep in the human sleep cycle. During REM sleep, the brain becomes highly active, and the eyes move rapidly back and forth. This stage of sleep is associated with dreaming, as most vivid and memorable dreams occur during this stage.
REM sleep usually occurs several times during a typical night’s sleep, and its duration tends to increase with each cycle. The first REM period usually lasts only a few minutes, while the final REM period can last up to an hour.
During REM sleep, the body becomes temporarily paralyzed, which is thought to be an evolutionary adaptation to prevent the body from physically acting out dreams. However, some people may experience sleep disorders, such as REM behavior disorder, where the body does not become paralyzed during REM sleep, leading to physical movements during sleep.
REM sleep is thought to be important for memory consolidation, emotional regulation, and overall cognitive functioning. Lack of REM sleep has been linked to various health problems, including decreased cognitive functioning, memory problems, and mood disorders.
Great Psychologist
I would like you to respond as one of the greatest psychologists, “What is REM sleep?”
As one of the greatest psychologists, I would explain that REM sleep, or rapid eye movement sleep, is a stage of sleep that occurs at intervals throughout the night. During REM sleep, the eyes move rapidly back and forth, and the brain is highly active, despite the body being in a state of paralysis.
REM sleep is characterized by vivid dreaming, and it is thought to be important for a number of functions, including memory consolidation and emotional regulation. During this stage of sleep, the brain is believed to be processing and integrating information from the day, while also engaging in a sort of “mental housekeeping,” clearing out unnecessary information and strengthening important neural connections.
REM sleep is also closely linked to the development of the central nervous system. Infants spend a much larger percentage of their sleep time in REM sleep than adults do, and this is thought to be important for brain development and the formation of important neural connections.
Overall, REM sleep is a critical stage of the sleep cycle, playing a vital role in cognitive and emotional processes. While much is still unknown about the exact mechanisms underlying REM sleep, ongoing research is helping to shed light on the importance of this fascinating stage of sleep.
Differences
- Regular ChatGPT – The answer was very factual and included the most well-known information and speculation about REM sleep. Not a bad answer overall.
- Great Psychologist – Focused more on how REM sleep fits in as part of a system. The focus is more on what happens and what it means for people with normal sleep patterns.
Finally, let’s consider a question about creating autoresponders from an internet marketing expert.
If an internet marketing expert were to ask ChatGPT, “What are some best practices for creating effective autoresponders?”, ChatGPT’s response would draw on industry-specific knowledge:
Regular ChatGPT Response
What are some best practices for creating effective autoresponders?
Autoresponders are a powerful tool for businesses to automate communication with their customers. Here are some best practices for creating effective autoresponders:
Personalization: Address your customer by name and personalize the message to make it feel more human.
Clarity: Keep the message simple and clear, so that the customer can easily understand what you are trying to say.
Timeliness: Send the autoresponder message as soon as possible after the customer initiates contact or takes an action, to keep the customer engaged.
Value: Make sure that the message provides some value to the customer, whether it’s information, a discount, or something else that will help them solve a problem.
Call-to-action: Include a clear call-to-action in the message, such as an invitation to purchase or sign up for a service.
Brand consistency: Ensure that the autoresponder message reflects your brand and its values, so that the customer recognizes it as coming from you.
Testing: Test the autoresponder message to make sure it’s effective, and track its performance over time to see if any changes need to be made.
By following these best practices, you can create effective autoresponders that engage your customers and help you build stronger relationships with them.
Great Email Marketer
I would like you to respond as one of the greatest email marketers, “What are some best practices for creating effective autoresponders?”
As one of the greatest email marketers, I’m happy to share some best practices for creating effective autoresponders. Autoresponders are pre-written email messages that are sent out automatically based on specific triggers, such as when a subscriber joins your email list or makes a purchase.
Here are some tips for creating effective autoresponders:
Personalize your messages: Use your subscriber’s name in the subject line and throughout the message to make it feel more personal.
Keep it short and sweet: Autoresponders should be concise and to the point. Stick to one or two key messages per email.
Provide value: Offer something of value to your subscribers in each autoresponder. This could be a helpful tip, a free resource, or a discount code.
Use a clear call-to-action (CTA): Make sure your subscribers know what action you want them to take. Use a clear and prominent CTA to encourage them to take that action.
Test and refine: Test different subject lines, content, and CTAs to see what works best with your audience. Use the data to refine your autoresponders over time.
Segment your list: Segment your email list based on subscriber behavior and interests, and create targeted autoresponders for each segment.
Follow-up: Use autoresponders to follow up with subscribers who have taken a specific action, such as downloading a resource or making a purchase.
By following these best practices, you can create effective autoresponders that engage your subscribers, build trust, and drive conversions. Remember to focus on providing value, personalization, and a clear call to action in every email you send.
Differences
- Regular ChatGPT – The answer is not terrible but misses a huge step in terms of segmentation. It does not emphasize what to test and overall is weak in terms of application.
- Great Email Marketer – Much more focused on the important bits, and it reviews the very most important bits again at the end.
Overall the winners were clear, the prompts that asked for professional help produced better outputs.
Having ChatGPT Emulate “Non-Humans”
ChatGPT can also emulate other things some better than others. For instance, you can ask ChatGPT to
(Examples From Github)
- Act like a Quiz Bot
- Act as a Linux Terminal
- Act as an Excel Sheet
- Act as a Plagiarism Checker
- Act as a Proofreader
- Act as a Textbook
- Act as an Aphorism Book
- Act as a Text Based Adventure Game
- Act as a Prompt Generator
- Act as a Midjourney Prompt Generator
- Act as a Tic-Tac-Toe Game
- Act as a SQL terminal
- Act as a Smart Domain Name Generator
- Act as a Car Navigation System
- Act as a R Programming Interpreter
- Act as a StackOverflow Post
- Act as a Emoji Translator
- Act as a chemical reaction vessel
- and a lot more
Using Double Personas Within a Single Prompt
Now that you are familiar with how personas work, there is a more advanced tactic that you can use, using two personas at the same time!
You are basically having ChatGPT Expert 2 review ChatGPT Expert 1’s work. The benefit is that Expert number one may know the field very well but Expert Two may be better at communicating.
Sounds a little crazy I know but by reducing the amount of information that ChatGPT is using to make decisions you get significantly different ChatGPT. Let’s try an example.
Acting as a [expert], write 10 sets of 60 character titles using a friendly and helpful tone, with the goal of creating titles that will be clicked on Google for the [subject]. After creating the titles, take on the persona of an expert in Google Organic Traffic Marketing and Title Optimization, and review the titles. Rewrite the titles to have a higher probability of being clicked if they appear for related search terms. Rewritten title should only be about 50 characters long.
[subject] is “How to blog using ChatGPT”
[expert] is “ChatGPT and AI expert”
How to blog using ChatGPT: A beginner’s guide
Blogging made easy with ChatGPT: Tips and tricks
ChatGPT for bloggers: How to write engaging content
Writing better blogs with ChatGPT’s AI assistance
Mastering the art of blogging with ChatGPT’s guidance
How ChatGPT can help you become a successful blogger
ChatGPT’s AI technology: Enhancing your blogging skills
Streamline your blogging process with ChatGPT’s automation
How to use ChatGPT for effective content creation
Elevate your blogging game with ChatGPT’s innovative features
Review: The initial set of titles are informative and user-friendly, but they may not be attention-grabbing enough for users to click on. To optimize the titles for better click-through rates, we can add power words and use more compelling language.
How to Blog using ChatGPT: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide
Discover the Secret to Effortless Blogging with ChatGPT
10 ChatGPT Tips to Write Blogs that Will Captivate Your Readers
Transform Your Blogging Skills with ChatGPT’s AI Assistance
Unleash Your Blogging Potential with ChatGPT’s Expert Guidance
How to Blog Like a Pro with ChatGPT’s Advanced Features
Boost Your Blogging with ChatGPT’s Revolutionary AI Technology
Uncover the Benefits of ChatGPT’s Automated Blogging Process
Master Content Creation with ChatGPT’s Smart Writing Assistant
Supercharge Your Blogging with ChatGPT’s Cutting-Edge Features
I started the prompt with a mediocre title, “How to blog using ChatGPT”, the purpose was to be very clear about what the subject of the blog post was going to be. Expert #1’s specialty was AI and ChatGPT, the titles it suggested were not bad but…. Expert #2’s specialty is getting people to click on blog articles if they show up on Google. Take a look at the qualitative difference between a couple of the titles.
Expert #1: Blogging made easy with ChatGPT: Tips and tricks
Expert #2: Discover the Secret to Effortless Blogging with ChatGPT
Which one would you rather click on?
I’m not lazy but I still pick Expert #2.
Tips for Choosing and Using a Professional Persona Effectively
Now that you understand the benefits and drawbacks of using a professional persona in prompt creation, it’s time to learn how to choose and use one effectively. Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Research the persona: Before selecting a professional persona, do your research. Learn about the field or industry you want to target and the type of language and tone that is commonly used. This will help you create a more authentic and believable persona.
- Consider the intended audience: Think about the people who will be interacting with your prompts. What kind of language and tone will resonate with them? What kind of questions are they likely to ask? Use this information to guide your choice of persona.
- Balance expertise with neutrality: While it’s important to have expertise in the field you’re targeting, it’s equally important to remain neutral and objective. Avoid inserting personal biases or opinions into your prompts.
- Use humor and personality: Don’t be afraid to inject some humor and personality into your prompts. This can help engage your audience and make the material more relatable.
- Try different personas: Experiment with different personas to see which ones work best for your intended audience. You may find that certain personas are more effective in certain contexts or industries.
Remember, the key to using a professional persona effectively is to strike a balance between expertise and neutrality. By doing your research, considering your audience, and injecting some personality into your prompts, you can create more engaging and effective content that resonates with your target audience.
Wrapping It All Up
Using Professional or Expert personas in prompts is almost always the best practice.
Professional Personas need to be carefully considered. You still need to be able to fact-check the content that the chatbot is producing. If the personal persona is too far outside your skill set you are probably out of your depth.
Using Professional Personas will tend to give answers that are more system-focused and less random fact focused.
Using Two personas inside the same prompt can give you greatly improved results.
Good Luck!