ChatGPT Tutorial for Beginners: How to Actually Get Work Done with AI, by Kevin Stratvert on YouTube. 14 min 31 s.
- Video length
- 14 min 31 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Go to chatgpt.com and sign up with an email address, a Google account or a Microsoft account. The free plan covers everything in the first few steps.
Get familiar with the chat screen. Type your message in the box at the bottom, press Enter to send, and use the sidebar to start a new chat or reopen an old one.
Ask for an email in plain words. Say who it is for, what it should cover, the tone you want and how long it should be.
Refine the draft by replying in the same chat. Ask it to cut a paragraph, sound friendlier or add a clear request, and read the result before sending.
Attach a PDF, Word document, Excel sheet or image with the upload button, then ask for a summary, the key figures or answers to specific questions.
For research, describe the decision you are making and ask for a table comparing the options with pros and cons. Check the facts and sources yourself.
Ask for a plan, checklist or calendar. Give a deadline and the hours you can spare, then ask it to put the plan in a table you can copy.
With ChatGPT Plus, create a Project for ongoing work, add your files and standing instructions once, and keep related chats inside it.
To automate repeat tasks, connect ChatGPT to Zapier through its MCP connection so it can reach the apps and services you already use.
Open your settings and find the memory section to view, edit or delete what ChatGPT remembers about you. Memory is a Plus feature.
Tips and common mistakes
Paste a sample of your own writing and ask ChatGPT to match its tone so emails still sound like you.
Check names, dates, numbers and quotes before you send or publish anything it writes.
Start a new chat for a new topic so old context does not pull the answer off course.
Do not upload confidential work files unless your employer allows it.
Questions
Is ChatGPT free to use?
Yes, you can create a free account and use the main chat features. Projects and Memory need a ChatGPT Plus subscription.
Can ChatGPT read my PDFs and spreadsheets?
Yes. Upload a PDF, Word document, Excel file or image and ask for a summary or answers about it. Recheck any numbers it pulls out.
Do I need to learn special prompts?
No. Normal sentences work. The more you say about audience, tone and length, the closer the first draft will be.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
