Getting Started with Claude
Claude is a conversational AI from Anthropic. This guide gets you past “hello” and into actually useful territory fast.
Start with a goal, not a question
The most common mistake is treating Claude like a search engine — typing short queries and expecting magic. Instead, tell it what you’re trying to accomplish:
Instead of: “What is SEO?”
Try: “I’m writing my first blog post and want it to show up in Google. Explain the 3 most important things I should focus on, in plain language, assuming I’m not technical.”
The second version gives Claude context. It knows who you are, what you want, and what register to use. The result is dramatically better.
Give it context
Claude doesn’t know you. The more relevant context you provide, the better the output:
- What you’re working on
- What you already know
- What format you want the answer in
- Who the audience is
You don’t need to include all of these every time — but thinking about them before you write your message will improve every response.
Iterate — the real power is in the back-and-forth
Your first response is a draft. Say:
- “Make this shorter.”
- “Explain the third point more.”
- “Give me a concrete example.”
- “Rewrite this for a less technical audience.”
The conversation loop is where Claude becomes genuinely useful. Think of it less like a search and more like working with a knowledgeable colleague.
What to try first
- Paste in a long article and ask for a 5-bullet summary
- Ask it to explain a concept you’ve been fuzzy on
- Draft an email, then iterate
- Give it a decision you’re wrestling with and ask for pros/cons
Start with something low-stakes and get a feel for how it responds to your style of prompting. Then bring the harder problems.