This is a question asked by many entrepreneurs and self-employed workers in Quebec who use ChatGPT for their communications, marketing, or content ideas.
The answer is simple: ChatGPT is vague because it cannot guess your context.
It does not know who you are, what you do, or who you are addressing… unless you tell it clearly.
Without specific information, the tool provides generic answers that are often too broad or ill-suited to the reality of Quebec SMEs. Fortunately, this problem is not inevitable.
In this article, you will understand why ChatGPT acts this way and, more importantly, how to get clear, relevant, and truly useful answers.
ChatGPT: a powerful tool, but not a mind reader
The heart of the problem: too vague questions.
When you ask ChatGPT, “Give me an idea for a marketing campaign,”
it responds with what it can… but without context.
It doesn’t know if you’re:
- a service company in Sherbrooke,
- a local business in Laval,
- or a self-employed worker in Trois-Rivières.
The result: a general answer that applies to anyone—and is therefore often useless.
It’s the equivalent of telling a new intern:
“Make me an ad.”
Without specific instructions, they do their best… but it’s not what you’re looking for.
That’s why ChatGPT gives a vague answer.
ChatGPT doesn't know you (yet). How to fix that.
ChatGPT has been trained on a huge amount of data, but it doesn’t know your business, your values, your customers, or your local reality.
When it lacks information, it fills in the gaps with universal answers:
- an overly neutral tone,
- European references,
- advice that is not well suited to the Quebec legal framework.
The consequences for Quebec SMEs
A poor request can result in:
Irrelevant or out-of-context content
An inappropriate tone (too robotic or impersonal)
Time wasted rewriting
A weakened brand image
For examples:
- A newsletter for a clinic in Drummondville with a very Parisian tone
- A local business in Laval receiving irrelevant marketing advice
How to get truly useful answers from ChatGPT
Brief ChatGPT like a colleague
Before asking your question, give it a clear mini-profile of your company.
Effective example:
“You are a marketing expert for SMEs in Quebec. I manage a home services company in Trois-Rivières. My clientele is French-speaking, aged 45 and over. I want a warm, accessible, and local tone. “
In just a few lines, you completely transform the quality of the response.
Add essential context tags
For each request, specify:
the objective (sell, inform, reassure),
the format (Facebook post, email, article),
the desired tone,
the approximate length.
Optimized prompt:
“Write a 100-word Facebook post to promote a winter sale. My company sells heating products in Quebec City. Use a reassuring and informative tone.”
Use ChatGPT customization (and official resources)
Did you know that you can brief ChatGPT once and for all so that it adapts its responses to your reality?
In the ChatGPT settings (Customization tab), you can specify:
- who you are,
- your industry,
- your target audience,
- the desired language and tone.
Customization example:
“I am a digital strategy consultant for Quebec SMEs. You must always respond in Quebec French, in a clear and professional tone. My clients are mainly self-employed workers.”
ChatGPT to provide more consistent, useful responses that are better aligned with your business, without having to repeat everything with each request.
To better understand the basics and best practices for using the tool, OpenAI also offers a very accessible official resource:
ChatGPT Basics – OpenAI Academy
https://academy.openai.com/home/clubs/work-users-ynjqu/resources/chatgpt-basics
This is an excellent starting point for entrepreneurs and teams who want to use ChatGPT more effectively and responsibly.
What this actually changes: before/after
Vague prompt
“Give me an idea for social media content.”
Generic and not very useful response.
Contextualized prompt
“Give me an idea for LinkedIn content for a notary in Saint-Hyacinthe who wants to demystify inheritance. Professional and human tone. “
Precise, local, and directly usable response.
ChatGPT is an excellent tool, but it needs guidance.
The clearer you are in your requests, the more the responses will be:
- relevant,
- tailored to your reality,
- useful for your business.
ChatGPT often gives vague answers when prompts lack context.
To get useful answers, Quebec SMEs need to specify their sector, target audience, objective, and desired tone.
By using structured prompts and customizing ChatGPT, it is possible to transform the tool into a true strategic collaborator.
Why is ChatGPT giving me vague answers?
Because it lacks sufficient information about your context, your business, and your target audience.
How can i improve ChatGPT’s responses?
By providing clear, specific instructions that include your industry, location, goal, and desired tone.
Can ChatGPT be trained to respond better?
Yes, by using customized settings and structured, repeatable prompts.
Want to go further?
We can help you integrate ChatGPT into your processes. Book a free consultation or discover our personalized assistance services.
