, Author at Mike Hastie Digital Media

Leveraging ChatGPT

Home About Me My Articles Google Ads vs SEO Is Social Media Still Relevant? Leveraging ChatGPT Importance of Digital Media Contact Me Web Report Home About Me My Articles Google Ads vs SEO Is Social Media Still Relevant? Leveraging ChatGPT Importance of Digital Media Contact Me Web Report By Mike Hastie How to Get the Best Out of Chat GPT in the Workplace — And What Most People Don’t Realise AI is no longer a futuristic idea — it’s a present-day tool that’s reshaping how we work. Among the frontrunners is ChatGPT, a powerful assistant that’s become an everyday companion for knowledge workers, creatives, and business leaders alike. But while many use it, few truly know that it is all about leveraging ChatGPT for best results. Here Mike Hastie (that’s me) from Mike Hastie Digital Media looks at how to unlock ChatGPT’s full potential at work — and what a surprising number of people still misunderstand about it. 1. It’s Not Just for Quick Answers — It’s for Thought Partnership Most people treat ChatGPT like a smarter Google: ask a question, get an answer, move on. But its true strength lies in dialogue. Think of it less like a search engine, more like a brainstorming partner, editor, strategist, or sounding board. Try this:Instead of asking, “What’s a good marketing strategy for a product launch?”, say:“Act as a marketing strategist. Here’s the product and our goals. What would a full campaign look like across different channels, and what are some low-budget options?” 💡 Tip: Give ChatGPT context, constraints, and goals. The more you feed it, the more useful and tailored the output. 2. Use It to Break Through Mental Blocks, Not Just Tasks Struggling to start a report? Can’t decide on how to word an email? ChatGPT is great at unsticking you. It helps you move from blank page to first draft — fast. Use cases people overlook: 3. You Can Train It On You One of the most underused features is providing examples of your own work. Feed ChatGPT a few of your previous emails, reports, or your writing style, and ask it to match your tone. You can even teach it about your business or workflow. Example prompt:“Here’s how I usually write newsletters. Can you draft one on [topic] in the same tone and structure?” The result? Outputs that feel like you wrote them — not a robot. 4. ChatGPT Is Not Always Right — But It’s Always Useful A lot of people get disillusioned when ChatGPT gives a wrong answer, makes something up (a “hallucination”), or misses the point. Here’s the key: Don’t treat it as the final decision-maker. Treat it as a very fast, smart assistant. Your job is to steer it, edit, verify facts, and make judgment calls. ✅ DO: Use it for idea generation, structure, wording, and drafts.❌ DON’T: Copy-paste its responses without thinking critically. 5. Use Systematic Prompts — Like a Framework for Leveraging Chat GPT If you do similar tasks often (e.g., writing reports, summarizing meetings, drafting strategies), build a reusable prompt structure. Example:“Summarize the following meeting notes into: Key Takeaways, Action Items, Deadlines. Keep it concise and use bullet points.” Even better — save these as templates or snippets to use repeatedly. 6. It’s a Secret Superpower — If You’re Willing to Experiment The real magic happens when you play. The workplace version of “prompt engineering” is simply asking better questions, pushing the AI with clarifying follow-ups, or iterating on responses. People who get the most out of ChatGPT: Final Thought: AI Won’t Replace You — But Someone Using It Might The employees who thrive in the next few years won’t be those who work harder, but those who work smarter — and that means learning how to co-pilot with AI. ChatGPT isn’t just a tool. It’s a multiplier. Once you understand that, and learn to use it not just to get answers, but to shape your thinking, your communication, and your productivity — you’ll never work the same way again. For more information there is a good article on TechTarget – READ

Google Ads, SEO

Google Ads vs SEO

Home About Me My Articles Google Ads vs SEO Is Social Media Still Relevant? Leveraging ChatGPT Importance of Digital Media Contact Me Web Report Home About Me My Articles Google Ads vs SEO Is Social Media Still Relevant? Leveraging ChatGPT Importance of Digital Media Contact Me Web Report By Mike Hastie Starting a small business is exciting—but let’s be honest, it’s also a bit terrifying especially when it comes to marketing which brings in the debate of Google vs SEO. You’ve got a limited budget, not much time, and you want to see results yesterday. You’ve probably heard terms like Google Ads and SEO thrown around, but which one should you actually invest time and money in? Which one will work fastest, and which one is worth your money? The debate about Google Ads vs SEO is heating up. Mike Hastie from Mike Hastie Digital Media takes a look at Google Ads vs SEO. If You Are Just Starting Out You Need Some Understanding About Google Ads vs SEO I’ve worked with dozens of small businesses in your shoes—tight budgets, big dreams, and no room for guesswork. So let’s break it down honestly, without the fluff. What’s the Difference? Google Ads (a.k.a. PPC or Pay-Per-Click):You pay Google to put your business at the top of the search results. You choose keywords, set a daily budget, and your ad shows up right away—often within hours. You only pay when someone clicks on your ad. Organic SEO (Search Engine Optimization):You don’t pay Google directly. Instead, you optimize your website (content, structure, keywords, backlinks, etc.) so that Google organically ranks you higher over time. Think of it like planting seeds that grow into long-term visibility. Here is some help in writing SEO driven content. If You’re Impatient (and Let’s Be Honest, Most of Us Are)… Go with Google Ads first.Here’s why: when you launch a website, Google has no idea who you are. Organic SEO takes time—often months. If you’re hoping for leads next week, SEO alone won’t get you there. With Google Ads, you can: Be seen on Page 1 of Google within 24 hours Choose exactly what searches you appear for Control your spend to the cent Pause or adjust campaigns anytime It’s a controlled way to “test the waters” and get early feedback on what’s working—without waiting months for traction. But Isn’t SEO Free? Yes and no. You don’t pay for clicks with SEO, but you do pay in time. Either your time (writing content, optimizing pages, learning the rules), or someone else’s (hiring a consultant or agency). SEO is a slow burn. But once it kicks in, the clicks are free, consistent, and long-lasting. If Google Ads is renting, SEO is buying. Over time, SEO becomes the more profitable strategy. But it’s not a quick fix. When It Comes To Google Ad vs SEO, Here’s What I Recommend (From Experience): Start with Google Ads for fast results.Use it to: Test what keywords your customers are searching See what headlines or services get the most clicks Start getting leads or sales quickly Then build SEO in the background.While Google Ads brings in quick wins, slowly work on your SEO: Create helpful content (FAQs, blogs, service pages) Make sure your website is fast and mobile-friendly Get listed on local directories and gather reviews That way, in 6–12 months, you’re not just paying for traffic—you’re earning it. Budgeting Tips for the Risk-Averse I know what you’re thinking: “What if I waste money on Google Ads?” Good news—you can start small. Many of my clients begin with as little as R100–R300 a day, and we pause anything that’s not working. There’s no long-term commitment. You’re in control the whole time. Start with one or two tightly targeted campaigns. Focus on one service, one area, one goal. This keeps your costs down and results easier to measure. Final Thoughts If you’re launching a business with limited funds, high hopes, and low patience (hey, no shame in that), here’s the truth: Google Ads gets you seen fast. SEO keeps you seen long-term. Together, they’re powerful—but start with the one that gets you moving. Play it smart, track your results, and don’t let the fear of doing it “wrong” stop you from doing it at all. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to start. If you want help getting your first campaign running or figuring out where to begin with SEO, feel free to reach out. No pressure, no jargon—just real advice from someone who’s been there. If you have any questions re the above article please contact Mike on 0844004300 or go to https://www.mikehastiemedia.com or email mike@mikehastiemedia.com.

Google Ads, SEO

Google Ads vs Organic SEO.

Google Ads vs Organic SEO: What’s Best for Small Businesses Just Starting Out? Starting a small business is exciting—but let’s be honest, it’s also a bit terrifying. Especially when it comes to marketing. You’ve got a limited budget, not much time, and you want to see results yesterday. You’ve probably heard terms like Google Ads and SEO thrown around, but which one should you actually invest in? Which one will work fastest, and which one is worth your money? I’ve worked with dozens of small businesses in your shoes—tight budgets, big dreams, and no room for guesswork. So let’s break it down honestly, without the fluff. What’s the Difference? Google Ads (a.k.a. PPC or Pay-Per-Click):You pay Google to put your business at the top of the search results. You choose keywords, set a daily budget, and your ad shows up right away—often within hours. You only pay when someone clicks on your ad. Organic SEO (Search Engine Optimization):You don’t pay Google directly. Instead, you optimize your website (content, structure, keywords, backlinks, etc.) so that Google organically ranks you higher over time. Think of it like planting seeds that grow into long-term visibility. If You’re Impatient (and Let’s Be Honest, Most of Us Are)… Go with Google Ads first.Here’s why: when you launch a website, Google has no idea who you are. Organic SEO takes time—often months. If you’re hoping for leads next week, SEO alone won’t get you there. With Google Ads, you can: Be seen on Page 1 of Google within 24 hours Choose exactly what searches you appear for Control your spend to the cent Pause or adjust campaigns anytime It’s a controlled way to “test the waters” and get early feedback on what’s working—without waiting months for traction. But Isn’t SEO Free? Yes and no. You don’t pay for clicks with SEO, but you do pay in time. Either your time (writing content, optimizing pages, learning the rules), or someone else’s (hiring a consultant or agency). SEO is a slow burn. But once it kicks in, the clicks are free, consistent, and long-lasting. If Google Ads is renting, SEO is buying. Over time, SEO becomes the more profitable strategy. But it’s not a quick fix. Here’s What I Recommend (From Experience): Start with Google Ads for fast results.Use it to: Test what keywords your customers are searching See what headlines or services get the most clicks Start getting leads or sales quickly Then build SEO in the background.While Google Ads brings in quick wins, slowly work on your SEO: Create helpful content (FAQs, blogs, service pages) Make sure your website is fast and mobile-friendly Get listed on local directories and gather reviews That way, in 6–12 months, you’re not just paying for traffic—you’re earning it. Budgeting Tips for the Risk-Averse I know what you’re thinking: “What if I waste money on Google Ads?” Good news—you can start small. Many of my clients begin with as little as $5–$10 a day, and we pause anything that’s not working. There’s no long-term commitment. You’re in control the whole time. Start with one or two tightly targeted campaigns. Focus on one service, one area, one goal. This keeps your costs down and results easier to measure. Final Thoughts If you’re launching a business with limited funds, high hopes, and low patience (hey, no shame in that), here’s the truth: Google Ads gets you seen fast. SEO keeps you seen long-term. Together, they’re powerful—but start with the one that gets you moving. Play it smart, track your results, and don’t let the fear of doing it “wrong” stop you from doing it at all. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to start. If you want help getting your first campaign running or figuring out where to begin with SEO, feel free to reach out. No pressure, no jargon—just real advice from someone who’s been there.