The following exchange was conducted on Sept 21, 2023. I’ve pasted here to show a literal example of how the tool can be used by someone to help create content using your own experience, perspective, and expertise.

In previous work with the bot, I’ve created an attribute set called [audience] that describes the perspective, interests, frustrations, needs, goals, etc of the small business audience I want to write for. I use that attribute set to help the bot understand the context of the reader I want to talk to.

In future posts, I’ll showcase the attribute sets and how they were developed]. -Cary

i need your help

ChatGPT‘s Reply

Of course! What do you need help with? Feel free to provide details so I can assist you effectively.

you role is to be a member of the [audience] You just started using LinkedIn. YOu’re intimated by all the ‘experts’ stating they are making money with all their posts and you’re feeling a little imposter syndrome because you’re new to this. you are already timid about technology and need encouragement. You have questions and want to know how to use this, what to expect, and what are some things others have learned to help frame their use of LinkedIn. I have been using LinkedIn for years and I understand the platform. I have seen the fake folks from the real, authentic folks. I love to teach and share, especially if it helps to add perspective and understanding in the eyes of the [audience] I’d like you to think about the five key concerns that you would have and reverse engineer those into questions for me. Ask me one at a time. If my answer leads to another question that you were not planning to ask, please ask it. My goal is to share what I’ve learned in relatable ways to make a new user comfortable and well suited to use the platform. Do you understand the exercise?

ChatGPT‘s Reply

Yes, I understand the exercise. I’ll role-play as a member of the audience who is new to LinkedIn and feeling a bit overwhelmed and intimidated. I’ll ask you questions based on key concerns that such a person might have, and we’ll go from there.

Here’s my first question:

1. I see so many people posting content regularly on LinkedIn. Do I need to post every day to get noticed or make an impact?

great question. every day is not necessary. but regular and consistent use is. as you become more familiar with the platform and find a comfortable voice, you’ll naturally find ways to post more. but for now, don’t overcommit in your head as that will lead to early disappointment if you don’t hit that mark and stress to do so.

ChatGPT‘s Reply

Thank you for that reassuring answer. It helps to know that I don’t have to post every day to make an impact.

Here’s my second question:

2. I’ve heard about “networking” a lot when it comes to LinkedIn. How do I go about connecting with people without coming across as pushy or self-serving?

Excellent. two answers for you: Be helpful and be curious. Simply find conversations that you can participate in and do so. The platform is full of folks that read and don’t interact. So don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect. Simple read and interact with folks as you see an opportunity. Don’t pretend to be something you’re not. The more you engage, the more you’ll see folks engage with you.

ChatGPT‘s Reply

Thank you for the advice. It’s comforting to know that genuine interaction is valued on the platform.

Here’s my third question:

3. I’ve seen people share articles, personal stories, and even promotional content. What kind of content should I be posting to get the most out of LinkedIn?

very common question. the first thing you’ll want to ask yourself is why are you posting to begin with? If its a business purpose, what is the goal? what is your business? What perspective can you bring that can help people from the skills and experience you have. My advice here is think about LinkedIn as a reputation validator. Post what you want folks to see when they are doing their homework on you and your company. You want to create posts that will help reinforce the value you bring to your customers, even if they don’t interact with you in real time or at all. think of it this way: If an ideal customer checks you your LinkedIn profile and posts 6 months from now, will they see what they need to to believe you are the right solution for their needs?

ChatGPT‘s Reply

That’s a really insightful way to think about LinkedIn, as a “reputation validator.” It helps to frame the kind of content I should be considering.

Here’s my fourth question:

4. I’ve heard about LinkedIn algorithms and how they affect the visibility of posts. Is there a specific time or day that’s best for posting to get maximum visibility?

Though some will say ‘yes’, my answer is “don’t worry about it’. Refer back to the goal of reputation validator. Don’t chase the number.

ChatGPT‘s Reply

That’s reassuring to hear. It takes off some of the pressure to “perform” on the platform and allows me to focus on the content itself.

Here’s my fifth and final question:

5. I’ve seen people use hashtags and tag others in their posts. How important are these elements in making a post more visible or engaging? Should I be doing this too?

the use and value of hashtags have changed over the years. they are less relevant now for things like the algorithm. good advice and meaningful insights matter more. however, think of hashtags as a category or file folder system. if someone is interested in a topic, hashtags are a good way of categorizing your post to be found for a user that uses hashtags to search. But it’s not a key metric in how a post performs, for the most part

ChatGPT‘s Reply

That’s good to know. It helps me understand that the focus should really be on the quality and relevance of the content rather than trying to “game” the system with hashtags or other tricks. Thank you for answering my questions; it’s been really helpful for a newcomer like me to get some straightforward and practical advice. Is there anything else you think I should know as I start my LinkedIn journey?

are there any questions that have come up from my answers that you’d like to ask

ChatGPT‘s Reply

Yes, actually. You mentioned the importance of being helpful and curious when engaging with others on LinkedIn. Could you give me some examples of how to do this effectively without coming across as intrusive or self-promotional?

great question. my advice is simply this: being helpful means putting the needs or interests of others above yourself. Engaging by commenting on posts, answering questions, and helping to give visibility and assistance to the posts and contributions of others on LinkedIn is a great way to add value to others on LinkedIn without being self-promotional.

ChatGPT‘s Reply

That makes sense, thank you. You also mentioned the concept of LinkedIn as a “reputation validator.” Could you elaborate on how to effectively build and maintain a reputation on LinkedIn that aligns with my professional goals?

yes…a few answers here: 1. your profile: Make sure you are providing information in your profile that helps folks understand what you do, who you do it for, the solutions and value you provide, and an answer to the question of “Folks come to be when they need ….” 2. your posts: post with purpose to help others see the way you think, the way you interact, the approaches you take to your work, the processes you follow, the advice you give, the businesses or people you help. Focusing on these two things will help build a strong presence on LinkedIn that will provide good insight to those looking to do business with you, even if they don’t interact with your posts.

ChatGPT‘s Reply

Thank you for the detailed advice! It’s reassuring to know that building a strong presence on LinkedIn is not just about the number of connections or likes, but more about the quality and purpose of what you share. Do you have any tips on how to handle negative comments or criticism on LinkedIn?

yes…that’s a common concern. Two recommendations: 1. if you’re going to reply to positive feedback and comments, you need to reply to negative as well, assuming it’s legit. 2. reply with a simple comment publicly to show you’ve seen and read the comment and then, if it makes sense for the situation, offer to connect offline or privately to explore and discuss further. This will allow folks to see that you are attentive to feedback and that you are paying attention and care about addressing the thoughts and concerns of others.

ChatGPT‘s Reply

That’s a balanced approach to handling negative comments. It shows professionalism and openness to feedback. Thank you for sharing that. Do you have any advice on how to measure the success of your LinkedIn activities? Is it just about the number of connections, likes, and comments, or are there other metrics to consider?

that’s a hard one to quantify but I understand the question. there are a few ways that you can apply data and metrics to your posting activities: 1. follower growth – the number of folks who choose to follow you and have your posts appear in their timeline 2. connections – the number of people who you form actual connections to. 3. views and interactions – the number of times a post is seen and either liked or commented on. Another area to consider is the company size and job title of the folks that do interact with your posts. Paying attention to these types of attributes can help you understand the roles, industries and company types that your posts get attention from. You may notice, for instance, that one type of post or topic tends to get interaction from a different set of roles or industries that other post types. Paying attention to this information can help you make decisions on what posts to do more of in the future.

ChatGPT‘s Reply

That’s really insightful, thank you. It sounds like the metrics are not just about quantity but also about the quality of interactions and who is interacting with your posts. This can help tailor future content to better engage with the audience that matters most to you or your business. Do you have any tips on how to handle connection requests? Should I connect with everyone who sends a request, or should I be more selective?

connection reqeusts can be tricky. there are many folks using LinkedIn that are connecting to then pitch you products and services. remember how we talked about being helpful and selfless in the interests of others? Well, no everyone does that. So, evaluate your connections on the merit of the ongoing value of their connection. Try to avoid the quick hit sales type connections that will not further your posting or business goals while using LinkedIN

ChatGPT‘s Reply

That makes a lot of sense. It’s important to be mindful of the quality of connections rather than just increasing the quantity. I’ve heard that some people send personalized messages when sending a connection request. Is that something you recommend doing? Does it make a difference?

personalize messaging and even the use of personalized video is an excellent way to stand out while making connections. It helps to show more about you and helps others understand that you’re a real person (important in this growing age of A.I. tools) and why you may be reaching out. Remember while we use technology to scale our communication outreach, people are human and still have a need to be seen, heard, and paid attention to. We all want to know that someone sees us for our authentic value and the more you can show that, the more sincere and effective your connection request efforts will be.

ChatGPT‘s Reply

That’s really insightful, thank you. It’s good to know that personal touches like that can make a difference in forming meaningful connections. One last question: How important is it to have recommendations and endorsements on my LinkedIn profile? Do they really matter?

it does matter, referring back to using LinkedIn as a reputation validator. if you can show value through the insights and comments of others, it helps to build strength to your profile as a whole.

ChatGPT‘s Reply

Thank you for sharing your insights. It’s reassuring to know that there are ways to build a strong and authentic presence on LinkedIn. Your advice has been incredibly helpful for a newcomer like me. I feel more confident about navigating the platform now.

you’re welcome. Would you please produce a summary of this conversation, taking [style], [voice], and [tone] into consideration?

ChatGPT‘s Reply

Certainly! Here’s a summary that captures the essence of our conversation, tailored to resonate with newcomers to LinkedIn who may be feeling overwhelmed or intimidated:

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Navigating LinkedIn: A Beginner’s Guide to Authentic Engagement

Feeling lost in the LinkedIn labyrinth? You’re not alone. The platform can be intimidating, especially when you’re new and everyone else seems like an ‘expert.’ But fear not! We’ve got some straightforward advice to help you find your footing.

How Often Should I Post?

Don’t stress about posting every day. The key is regularity and consistency. As you get comfortable, you’ll naturally find your rhythm.

What Should I Engage With?

Two words: Be helpful. Be curious. Start by engaging in conversations where you can add value. Authenticity is your best friend here.

What Should I Post About?

Think of LinkedIn as a reputation validator. Your posts should reflect the value you bring to your industry and potential clients. Aim to reinforce your expertise and skills.

Do I Need to Use Hashtags?

Hashtags are less about boosting your post’s performance and more about categorizing your content. They’re useful but not a make-or-break factor.

How Do I Handle Negative Comments?

Address them publicly to show you’re attentive, then take the conversation offline for a more in-depth discussion.

How Do I Measure Success?

Look at follower growth, connections, and interactions. Also, pay attention to who is engaging with your posts; it can offer valuable insights into your audience.

Should I Accept All Connection Requests?

Be selective. Avoid connections that seem solely interested in selling you something.

How Can I Stand Out When Connecting?

Personalized messages or videos can make a world of difference. They show you’re a real person who values genuine connections.

Do Recommendations Matter?

Absolutely. They add another layer of credibility to your profile.

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Remember, LinkedIn is a marathon, not a sprint. Take your time, be yourself, and the right connections and opportunities will follow.

Feel more prepared? We hope so! Now go out there and make LinkedIn work for you.

good job…i’d like you to revise taking into consideration what you know about the [audience]. remember they do value more context

ChatGPT‘s Reply

Certainly! Given that the [audience] values more context and detailed explanations, here’s a revised version of the summary:

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Navigating LinkedIn: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

Feeling overwhelmed by LinkedIn? You’re not the only one. The platform can seem like a maze, especially when you’re new and surrounded by ‘experts’ flaunting their success. But don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with some in-depth advice to help you navigate LinkedIn with confidence.

How Often Should I Post?

You might be wondering if you need to post every single day to make an impact. The answer is no. Consistency is more important than frequency. As you become more familiar with LinkedIn, you’ll naturally find a posting rhythm that works for you. The key is to avoid setting unrealistic expectations that could lead to disappointment or stress.

What Should I Engage With?

You’ve probably heard the term “engagement” thrown around a lot. But what does it mean? Simply put, engage in conversations where you can add value. Don’t worry about being an expert; just be helpful and curious. Authenticity goes a long way in building meaningful connections.

What Should I Post About?

LinkedIn is not just a social network; it’s a platform that can validate your professional reputation. Your posts should align with your skills, expertise, and the value you offer to your industry. Think about what you want potential clients or employers to see when they look you up. Your posts should reinforce that image.

Do I Need to Use Hashtags?

Hashtags can seem confusing, but they’re essentially a categorization tool. While they won’t necessarily make your post go viral, they can help people find your content when they search for specific topics. So, use them, but don’t obsess over them.

How Do I Handle Negative Comments?

Negative comments can be unsettling, but they’re also an opportunity to show your professionalism. Respond publicly to acknowledge the comment, and then suggest taking the conversation offline for a more detailed discussion. This approach shows you’re proactive and care about resolving issues.

How Do I Measure Success?

Metrics can be a bit daunting, but they’re essential for understanding how you’re doing. Look at the growth in your followers, the quality of your connections, and the level of interaction on your posts. Also, pay attention to the job titles and industries of those who engage with you; this can offer valuable insights into whether you’re reaching your target audience.

Should I Accept All Connection Requests?

While it might be tempting to boost your numbers by accepting every request, be discerning. Avoid people who seem to be interested only in selling you something. Quality over quantity is the rule of thumb here.

How Can I Stand Out When Connecting?

A personalized message can make a world of difference when sending a connection request. It shows you’re not just another profile, but a real person interested in a meaningful connection.

Do Recommendations Matter?

Yes, they do. Recommendations serve as third-party endorsements and add another layer of credibility to your profile.

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LinkedIn is a long game, so take your time, be genuine, and the right opportunities will come your way. With this guide, you’re well-equipped to make the most of what LinkedIn has to offer.

Feel more confident? We hope so! Now, go out there and make LinkedIn your own.