GNT #108: Frameworks to Get Better, More Useful ChatGPT Responses (Part 1)

read time: 3 minutes

Have you ever had a conversation that felt… off?

Like you asked a question, but the answer you got wasn’t quite what you were looking for?

Maybe you’ve had this experience at a restaurant. You ask the waiter, “What do you recommend?” and they say, “Everything’s great!”

Not exactly helpful.

Now imagine you get more specific: “I’m in the mood for something light but filling, maybe with seafood. What would you suggest?”

Suddenly, the waiter lights up. “The grilled salmon with lemon butter is one of our most popular dishes. It’s fresh, flavorful, and not too heavy.”

Now we’re talking. 😋 

This is exactly how ChatGPT works. The quality of what you get depends on how clearly you ask.

And yet, most people drop in vague prompts like “Give me ideas for social media” or “How do I market my business?”...then wonder why they get generic, uninspiring responses.

That’s where prompt frameworks come in.

They help you structure your prompts in a way that gets ChatGPT to work for you, delivering specific, useful, and actionable information.

Introducing a 3-Part Newsletter Series!

Over the next 3 weeks, I’m sharing 6 ChatGPT prompt frameworks I use that will help you:

✔️ Get clearer, more relevant responses from ChatGPT
✔️ Speed up your content creation, strategy, and decision-making
✔️ Make ChatGPT think deeper instead of giving surface-level answers

Each week, I’ll break down 2 frameworks, real-world examples, and pro tips to help you apply them right away.

By the end of this series, you’ll know exactly how to ask ChatGPT the right way - so it works for you.

Ready?

Let’s get started with the first two.
 

Framework 1: R-T-F (Role, Task, Format)

What it does:
Turns ChatGPT into your personal expert by defining who it should "be," what it should do, and how it should present the response.

How to use it:
"Act as a [ROLE]. Create a [DETAILED TASK]. Show it as a [DETAILED FORMAT]."

Why it works:
Leverages a specific expert's perspective and keeps ChatGPT super-focused on exactly what you need without all the fluff.

Best for:

• Generating expert-level responses ("Act as a CFO, analyze this cash flow statement")
• Getting structured deliverables ("Format as a one-page email campaign")
• Simplifying complex ideas ("Explain AI like I’m five") 

Example:

Pro tip:
If you create a Custom GPT, you’ll get even better results.

A Custom GPT is a version of ChatGPT tailored to your needs. You can upload relevant data, set response guidelines, and define expertise areas.

Here’s how to create one:

1. You’ll need the paid version. Custom GPTs require GPT-4, which is only available in ChatGPT Plus ($20/month). But you could try it for a month and cancel if it's not life-changing for you.
2. Go to “Explore GPTs.” Open ChatGPT, click on your profile in the bottom-left, and select Explore GPTs to get started.
3. Click "Create" and customize. You’ll be guided to set instructions (define its role, tone, and focus) and upload relevant documents (so it knows your business, strategies, or preferences).
4. Save it and start using it!

Did you know I use a Custom GPT for this newsletter? I created it last year and uploaded my entire blog library, defined my content pillars, and set my tone of voice. Of course, I am always the human reworking and rewriting, but it's been a tremendous help to get big ideas going faster.

How could you use a custom GPT?

If you're a business coach, for example, you could create one that:

• Analyzes client challenges based on your coaching frameworks.
• Drafts responses in your coaching style.
• Generates blog or social media content based on your messaging guidelines.

If you're a nonprofit leader, for example, you could create one that:

• Drafts compelling grant proposals using your organization's mission and past success stories.
• Generates social media content to engage donors and raise awareness.
• Analyzes donor trends and suggests new fundraising strategies.

But the first step is getting clear on what you need, and that's exactly what Framework 2 will help you do.

Framework 2: T-A-G (Task, Action, Goal)

What it does:
Breaks down your request into three clear steps: what you need done (Task), how to do it (Action), and what success looks like (Goal).

How to use it:
"I need to [CLEARLY DEFINE TASK]. Here's how I need it done [ACTION]. The goal I'm hoping to achieve is [GOAL]."

Why it works:
It forces you to move beyond vague ideas and structure your request in a way that ensures ChatGPT aligns its response with what actually matters to you.

Best for:

• Optimizing processes ("I need a system for tracking client inquiries")
• Improving communication ("Create an agenda for a high-impact sales meeting")
• Delegation ("Help me onboard a new team member effectively")

Example: 

Perfect response, ChatGPT. From here I would upload the data, let it analyze, and ask follow-up questions.

Pro tip:
This framework also works well when delegating. Use it with your team to make sure expectations are crystal clear from the start.

Takeaway

Most people don’t get the full value from ChatGPT because they don’t give it enough direction.

But small changes in how you structure your prompts make a big difference.

This week, try using R-T-F (Role, Task, Format) or T-A-G (Task, Action, Goal) to structure your prompts.

• Pick one thing you’ve been stuck on...content, strategy, or a process.
• Rewrite your request using one of these frameworks.
• Compare the response to what you normally get.

Did ChatGPT’s answer improve? Was it clearer? More useful?

Send me a note and let me know how it worked for you! I’d love to feature a few examples next week.

Speaking of next week… I’ll be sharing 2 more frameworks that turn ChatGPT into a strategic problem-solver, so you get deeper, more insightful answers, and get to action faster.

See you then!

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