If you've never used the OpenAI platform before, there's no need to worry - we're here to walk you through the process of obtaining an API key so that you can start using the AI Assistant features. As a bonus, upon your first account creation with Openai.com, you will be given $5 of credit from OpenAI (when writing this tutorial). That should give you approximately 700 API calls and will expire after 3 months.

First, let's talk about what an API key is and why it's important. API stands for Application Programming Interface, and it acts as a means for two different applications to communicate. Regarding OpenAI, your API key allows our platform to access and utilize our AI models. This means that to use our AI features, you'll need to have an API key set up.

But don't worry, the process is simple, and we'll guide you through it step by step:

Head to their website at https://openai.com/ and click the "Sign Up" button.

Fill in your information and click "Sign Up."

After successfully creating your account, you'll be redirected to the login page. Use your new credentials to log in.

Once logged in, you'll be taken to a screen with the URL https://platform.openai.com/apps. This screen will be similar to the image below:

From this screen, click on the "API" section. You can do this by clicking on your name or initials in the top right-hand corner and selecting "View API Keys." Alternatively, you can navigate directly to the URL https://platform.openai.com/account/api-keys.

Now that you're in the API section, click the "Create New Secret Key" button. You'll be prompted to give the new key a name. This is optional but can help identify multiple keys if you have them set up. Make sure to name the key for the application you will be using it for (in this case, our lead generation tool).

CAUTION!! ONCE YOU GIVE THE KEY A NAME, THE NEXT SCREEN YOU SEE WILL BE THE API KEY SCREEN, AND YOU WILL ONLY SEE THIS FULL KEY ONCE!

You must copy this key from the screen before you close it. If you accidentally close the window without copying the key, delete the key and start again.

Once you've copied the key, you're ready to move on to the next step.

Now that you have your API key, it's time to use it. Paste the key into the designated OpenAI API section under Integration. Then, click "Update," and voila! Your account is now ready to use with your OpenAI API key.

Congratulations! You now have all the tools to take advantage of our AI Assistant features. Enjoy the benefits of our advanced technology, and happy searching!