I Asked ChatGPT to Design a Workshop

By Jeffrey Baumgartner

On a whim, I asked ChatGPT to outline a workshop (you can see my requests and ChatGPT's responses below). The result, which was generated in a few seconds is impressive. Nevertheless, there are two observations. Firstly, you would still need knowledge of the subject to deliver the workshop. Secondly, the result is more of a lecture than a workshop in that it has no exercises. So, I asked ChatGPT to devise some group exercises, which it promptly did -- although it did not incorporate the exercises into the original outline.

My thought is that if you give workshops, or want to start giving workshops, but find it difficult to create structure, this could be a useful tool. Also, if you need to give a workshop on a topic and you are not sure where to begin, asking ChatGPT for a outline could be a good starting point.

Likewise, many people find it difficult to design interactive group exercises for their workshops. Asking ChatGPT for suggestions could be very useful.

That said, I feel that a good workshop still requires the human touch. So, by all means, ask ChatGPT (or similar) to help you design a workshop. But, be sure to add your own, special, human touch.

Challenge to ChatGPT

Please outline a 90 minute interactive workshop on how to promote a small business on social media.

Answer

Sure, here's an outline for a 90-minute interactive workshop on how to promote a small business on social media:

I. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Introduce yourself and explain the purpose of the workshop.

• Ask attendees what social media platforms they currently use to promote their businesses, and what their biggest challenges are.

II. Overview of Social Media Platforms (15 minutes)

• Discuss the different social media platforms and their key features (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, etc.).

• Talk about the demographics of each platform and which ones might be most appropriate for different types of businesses.

III. Setting Goals and Measuring Success (10 minutes)

• Explain the importance of setting goals for social media marketing.

• Discuss metrics for measuring success, such as engagement rates, click-through rates, and conversions.

IV. Creating a Content Strategy (25 minutes)

• Explain the importance of having a content strategy and what it should include (types of content, frequency, etc.).

• Provide tips on creating engaging content, such as using high-quality visuals, incorporating user-generated content, and leveraging trending topics.

• Show examples of successful social media campaigns and discuss why they worked.

V. Growing Your Audience (15 minutes)

• Discuss tactics for growing your social media following, such as using hashtags, collaborating with influencers, and running social media ads.

• Provide tips for engaging with your audience, such as responding to comments and direct messages in a timely manner.

VI. Tools and Resources (10 minutes)

• Recommend tools and resources for managing social media accounts, such as Hootsuite or Buffer.

• Provide resources for learning more about social media marketing, such as online courses or webinars.

VII. Q&A and Feedback (10 minutes)

• Allow time for attendees to ask questions and provide feedback on the workshop.

• Thank attendees for their participation and provide contact information for further questions.

VIII. Conclusion (5 minutes)

• Summarize the key takeaways from the workshop.

• Encourage attendees to start implementing what they learned and share their successes.

Jeffrey's note. While the above is an impressive outline, it is more of a lecture than a workshop. I feel that any good workshop should include exercises, especially group exercises. So, I asked ChatGPT to suggest some.

Include some group exercises, please

Sure, here are some group exercises that could be incorporated into the workshop:

1. Content Brainstorming Exercise (15 minutes)

• Divide attendees into small groups of 3-4 people.

• Provide each group with a list of potential social media post topics for a small business.

• Ask each group to brainstorm additional ideas for each topic and write them down.

• After 10-15 minutes, have each group share their ideas with the larger group.

2. Hashtag Research Exercise (10 minutes)

• Ask attendees to pair up and select a social media platform they use for their business.

• Provide each pair with a list of potential hashtags relevant to their industry.

• Ask each pair to research the popularity and usage of each hashtag using a tool like Hashtagify or RiteTag.

• After 5-10 minutes, have each pair share their findings with the larger group.

3. Social Media Ad Design Exercise (20 minutes)

• Divide attendees into small groups of 3-4 people.

• Provide each group with a brief for a social media ad campaign for a small business (e.g., promoting a new product, a sale, or an event).

• Ask each group to design a mock-up of a social media ad using a tool like Canva.

• After 15-20 minutes, have each group share their ad designs with the larger group and provide feedback on what they liked or would change.

4. Engagement Strategy Exercise (15 minutes)

• Divide attendees into small groups of 3-4 people.

• Provide each group with a scenario (e.g., a negative comment on a social media post, a direct message inquiry, or a positive review).

• Ask each group to come up with a strategy for responding to the scenario in a way that promotes engagement and a positive relationship with the customer.

• After 10-15 minutes, have each group share their strategies with the larger group and discuss which ones they thought were most effective.

These exercises can help attendees apply the concepts and strategies discussed in the workshop to their own businesses and engage in interactive learning.

Jeffrey's note: not bad, eh?