Lesson 9: Gemini Tips & Tricks: Advanced Techniques for Power Users
Hidden Gemini Features You Might Not Know
While most users stick to basic text interactions, Gemini has numerous lesser-known features that can dramatically enhance your experience. We talked about some of these in the last lesson, but now it's time to discuss some niche hacks and advanced techniques. You may not find yourself in situations where you need to use these techniques often, but in those rare cases where you need a little extra juice, these Gemini prompts, shortcuts, and API calls can really come in handy.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this lesson, you will:
- Discover hidden Gemini features and capabilities most users don't know about
- Master advanced conversation techniques for complex workflows
- Learn power user shortcuts and time-saving strategies
- Understand advanced integration and automation possibilities
- Apply expert-level techniques for specialized use cases
Secret Keyboard Shortcuts and Interface Tips
When you need to copy and paste text or undo a mistake, you probably prefer to use a keyboard shortcut; if you've used computers for long enough, these commands are probably second nature. Well, Gemini has similar keyboard shortcuts that can provide similar time-saving benefits; learning these commands and using them early can help you save time and effort in the future.
Web Interface Power Moves:
- Ctrl/Cmd + Enter: Submit your prompt without clicking the send button
- Ctrl/Cmd + K: Quickly start a new conversation
- Shift + Enter: Add line breaks in your prompt without submitting
- Up Arrow: Edit your last prompt for quick refinements
- Ctrl/Cmd + /: Access the help menu with all available shortcuts
Mobile App Hidden Features:
- Long press on any response: Access additional options like regenerate, modify, or save
- Swipe left on conversation list: Quick delete conversations
- Double-tap to select text: More precise text selection for copying specific parts
- Voice input continues: Keep talking even after pauses - Gemini waits for your complete thought
Advanced File Handling Techniques
In Lesson 3, we talked about how Gemini is multimodal and supports different file formats when prompting. Here are some additional tips to help you make the most of this feature.
Multiple File Analysis: Instead of uploading files one at a time, you can upload multiple documents simultaneously and ask Gemini to cross-reference them. This is a great way to combine two seemingly unrelated subjects and discover previously unknown connections between them.
You are an expert in applied behavior analysis. Take a look at this research paper discussing the effects of different reinforcement schedules on motivation. I am also sharing with you a design document for a smartphone app; using the research paper as reference, look for current features listed in the design document and suggest changes that implement these schedules of reinforcement to motivate users to continue engaging with this app.
As you can see in the prompt example I wrote above, this works especially well when using Gemini's role-playing abilities that we discussed in Lesson 6.
File Format Optimization:
- PDFs: Work best when text is selectable (not scanned images)
- Spreadsheets: Upload as .xlsx rather than .csv for better formatting retention
- Images: Higher resolution images (up to 20MB) provide more detailed analysis
- Code files: Upload as .txt files with clear language indicators for better syntax understanding
Conversation Threading and Branching
Creating Conversation Branches: You can create multiple conversation threads from a single starting point by using the "Edit" feature on your prompts:
- Start with a base conversation
- Click "Edit" on any of your previous prompts
- Modify the prompt to explore a different direction
- This creates a new branch while preserving the original conversation
Conversation Bookmarking: Use specific phrases to create "bookmarks" in long conversations:
CHECKPOINT: We've established the marketing strategy basics.
Now let's dive into budget allocation...
Later, you can reference: "Go back to the checkpoint where we discussed marketing strategy."
Advanced Prompt Engineering Techniques
Beyond basic back-and-forth, expert users orchestrate complex multi-turn conversations to build sophisticated outputs. We've already covered prompt engineering in Lesson 4 and Lesson 6, but here are some additional techniques to further your prompt engineering game.
The "Collaborative Expert" Technique
Instead of asking Gemini to act as just one expert, create a panel of experts:
This creates richer, more nuanced responses than single-perspective prompts. You can then start new conversation branches asking for a different expert's perspective if you're not getting the results you want the first time.
Sequential Skill Building
For complex projects, build up Gemini's understanding progressively by separating one prompt into separate prompts, which you can refer to as phases or steps:
Phase 1 - Context Loading:
I'm going to teach you about my company's unique situation over several prompts.
Just acknowledge each piece of information, and I'll tell you when I'm ready for analysis
Company background: [details]
Phase 2 - Skill Development:
Now I want you to learn our analysis framework: [methodology]
Practice this by analyzing our last quarter's performance: [data]
Phase 3 - Application:
Using everything you've learned about our company and methodology,
analyze this new market opportunity: [details]
This is especially useful when working on coding tasks.
The "Devil's Advocate" Method
After receiving an initial recommendation, challenge it:
This technique reveals blind spots and strengthens your decision-making.
Time-Saving Power User Strategies
Template and Snippet Systems
Create Reusable Prompt Templates: Develop standardized prompts for recurring tasks:
Use Variables in Prompts: Create flexible templates with placeholders:
Batch Processing Techniques
Multiple Questions in One Prompt: Structure complex requests efficiently:
Chain Prompting for Complex Workflows: Link multiple prompts together with clear handoffs:
PROMPT 1:
"Analyze this market research data and create 5 key insights."
PROMPT 2:
"Using those 5 insights, develop 3 strategic recommendations."
PROMPT 3:
"For each recommendation, create an implementation timeline."
Advanced Formatting and Output Control
Structured Data Extraction: Force specific output formats for easy processing:
Multi-Format Outputs: Request the same information in multiple formats:
Advanced Integration and Automation Strategies
As we mentioned in Lesson 5 and Lesson 8, Gemini works seamlessly with other Google tools; however, you can also implement API calls to access tools outside of the Google ecosystem. Check it out:
Cross-Platform Workflows
Gemini + Google Workspace Power Combinations:
- Research → Document → Present Flow:
- Use Gemini to research and synthesize information
- Export findings to Google Docs via copy-paste with formatting
- Use Gemini to create slide outlines, then build in Google Slides
- Use Gemini to generate speaker notes
- Data → Analysis → Action Flow:
- Upload spreadsheet data to Gemini for analysis
- Use insights to create task lists in Google Tasks
- Schedule follow-up meetings in Google Calendar
- Draft action emails in Gmail with Gemini's help
API and Advanced Technical Usage
For Developer Users:
- Use Gemini's function calling capabilities to integrate with external APIs
- Implement custom tools that Gemini can access during conversations
- Create automated workflows using Google Apps Script + Gemini API
- Build custom interfaces that leverage Gemini's multimodal capabilities
Webhook Integration Ideas:
- Automatically analyze customer feedback and route to appropriate teams
- Generate reports from multiple data sources on schedule
- Create dynamic content based on real-time data feeds
Memory and Context Hacking
Advanced Memory Techniques: Recall that you can save valuable information as context in custom Gems and as Gemini memory; we discussed this in Lesson 7. Take advantage of this by saving complex instructions as "system prompts":
Context Window Optimization: Although we established in Lesson 2 that Gemini has a large context window, we also discussed in Lesson 4 that prompts should be focused to prevent responses from containing unhelpful or inaccurate information. For very long documents, use strategic chunking like this:
Specialized Use Case Mastery
Once you've got a few well-prompted results from Gemini, consider using these expert-level prompting techniques for even more unique and inspired responses.
Creative Collaboration Techniques
The "Yes, And" Approach: Build ideas iteratively like improv comedy:
Creative Constraint Games: Use artificial limitations to spark creativity:
Research and Analysis Hacking
Perspective Multiplication: Analyze the same information from multiple viewpoints:
Assumption Surfacing: Reveal hidden assumptions in complex topics:
Problem-Solving Power Techniques
The Five Whys with AI: Dig deeper into root causes:
Scenario Planning: Explore multiple futures systematically:
Troubleshooting and Recovery Techniques
As we mentioned in previous discussions on prompting, the best course of action when encountering issues with Gemini is to start a new conversation or edit your prompt. But what if you're deep into an otherwise productive conversation and want to steer it back in the right direction? Here are some ways to do exactly that.
When Things Go Wrong
Conversation Recovery: If a conversation goes off track:
Context Clarification: When responses seem confused:
Quality Control Protocols: Build verification into your workflow:
Expert-Level Workflow Integration
In Lesson 5, we discussed techniques to implement Gemini into your day job to boost your productivity. Here are a few more tips that are in a similar vein.
Daily Productivity Hacks
Morning Briefing Automation: Start each day with a structured brief:
End-of-Day Processing: Wrap up efficiently:
Advanced Learning Strategies
Knowledge Gap Analysis: Identify what you need to learn:
Skill Development Planning: Create personalized learning paths:
Key Advanced Techniques Summary
Hidden Power Features:
- Keyboard shortcuts and interface tricks for faster interaction
- Advanced file handling and conversation branching
- Cross-platform integration strategies
Expert Conversation Techniques:
- Multi-perspective analysis and collaborative expert approaches
- Sequential skill building and devil's advocate methods
- Template systems and batch processing
Advanced Problem-Solving:
- Scenario planning and assumption surfacing
- Creative constraint games and perspective multiplication
- Meta-prompting and self-improvement techniques
Workflow Mastery:
- Daily automation routines and productivity hacks
- Advanced learning strategies and knowledge gap analysis
- Quality control and verification protocols
Putting It All Together
The techniques in this chapter transform Gemini from a simple question-answering tool into a sophisticated thinking partner. The key is to combine multiple techniques strategically:
- Start with hidden features to work more efficiently
- Use advanced conversation techniques for complex analysis
- Apply specialized methods for your specific use cases
- Build systematic workflows for recurring tasks
- Continuously refine your approach based on results
Try These Advanced Techniques Today
Level 1 - Interface Mastery: Try using keyboard shortcuts for your next 10 interactions. Notice how much faster you work.
Level 2 - Conversation Orchestration: Pick a complex problem and use the "collaborative expert" technique to get multiple perspectives.
Level 3 - Workflow Integration: Create one template for a task you do regularly, then use it three times this week.
Level 4 - Meta-Analysis: At the end of any important Gemini conversation, ask it to critique its own advice and suggest improvements.
Master these advanced techniques, and you'll join the ranks of true Gemini power users who extract maximum value from every AI interaction.
