The AI Tactic That Saves Me Hours: The Custom GPT

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A few weeks ago I was listening to a podcast episode from another marketer and AI-enthusiast, Dan Sanchez, and something he said about “Custom GPTs” really struck a chord with me.

As a fellow podcaster, he was bemoaning how much time he was spending preparing for each interview. Reading people’s LinkedIn profiles, looking them up online, drafting introductions, and coming up with questions… hours spent on the podcast before ever hitting the record button.

As a new parent of five baby podcasts, I felt this one hard haha. I easily spend 1 – 2 hours preparing for each and every interview, so DSanchez had my attention!

What he shared in that interview was a way to utilize AI to make that entire process of mine more efficient, but it was more important than that.

The tactic that he taught me is one that other businesses and marketers and AI experts are using every day for all kinds of applications.

From Simple Prompts to Custom GPT

As the capability of generative AI – and the ways that we’re able to interact with it – improve, so too must our understanding and familiarity of these tactics. How we use AI today starts with prompts, whether typed or vocal, and I touched on them in an episode of AI in Marketing: Unpacked. The next step might be ‘chain prompting’ where you’re deliberately walking the AI through a series of prompts designed to build on one another to achieve a broader outcome. Later we’ll talk about AI Agents which are programmed to autonomously accomplish tasks on our behalf, but today I want to get you up to speed on Custom GPTs.

With a Custom GPT, you can not only train the AI to help you with specific, important tasks, like a great intern it will be positioned to repeat those tasks, however complex, whenever you need it to. But unlike a simple prompt, a Custom GPT can have multiple steps and background, be set up to prompt you and ask you questions, and perform all manner of tasks.

For better insight into prompts overall and how better prompts lead to better, more product Custom GPTs, listen to this episode of the AI in Marketing: Unpacked episode with Ashley Gross:

Let’s talk through the purpose of Custom GPTs and how to use them, and then get into some specific examples and use-cases so you can begin to imagine and apply them to your own marketing.

What Is A Custom GPT?

Custom GPTs are a powerful advancement in the realm of generative AI, enabling users to train AI models to assist with specific and complex tasks. Think of them as highly capable interns who not only understand the nuances of your instructions but can also execute a series of steps with precision, whenever needed.

Here are some key attributes that distinguish Custom GPTs from simple prompts:

Multiple Steps and Background Context:

• Unlike a single prompt, a Custom GPT can be designed to handle multi-step tasks. It can incorporate background information and various instructions to complete complex processes. For instance, if you need to generate a detailed marketing report, a Custom GPT can gather data from multiple sources, analyze it, and compile it into a cohesive document.

Interactive Prompts and Questions:

• Custom GPTs can be set up to prompt you for additional information or ask clarifying questions during the task execution. This ensures accuracy and adaptability, as the AI can interact with you dynamically to fine-tune its performance.

Versatile Task Execution:

• Custom GPTs can perform a wide range of tasks, from automating repetitive workflows to providing detailed analysis and creative content generation. This versatility means they can be applied in various aspects of marketing, making your operations more efficient and effective.

Magai’s Custom Personas

For users of Magai, similar functionality can be achieved through creating custom Personas. These Personas are tailored AI profiles designed to handle specific tasks just like Custom GPTs.

Here’s what makes Magai’s custom Personas valuable:

1. Tailored Task Execution: Magai Personas can be trained to understand and execute tasks based on your specific needs. Whether it’s drafting emails, generating social media content, or conducting market research, these Personas are adaptable and efficient.
2. Interactive and Context-Aware: Much like Custom GPTs, Magai Personas can interact with you, asking questions and gathering additional info to ensure they are performing tasks accurately and effectively.
3. Consistency and Precision: By using custom Personas, you ensure that tasks are executed consistently every time. This is particularly useful for repetitive tasks where precision is critical.

As ever, the benefit of a Magai subscription over a ChatGPT subscription is that you’ll have access to ChatGPT as well as all of the other major Large Language Models (LLMs) such as Claude or Gemini.

These advanced AI capabilities allow you to leverage generative AI beyond simple prompts, enabling smarter, more effective task management. Custom GPTs and Magai Personas represent the next step in AI-driven efficiency, providing you with the tools to streamline your workflows and focus on strategic initiatives.

Why Should You Care About Custom GPTs?

Custom GPTs can:

• Save Time: Automate complex, repetitive tasks to free up your schedule.
• Improve Accuracy: Ensure consistency and precision in task execution.
• Boost Efficiency: Allow you to focus on strategic activities while AI handles the groundwork.

How to Use Custom GPTs

Let’s talk through the purpose of Custom GPTs and how to use them, and then get into some specific examples and use-cases so you can begin to imagine and apply them to your marketing.

Training the AI

Imagine you’re training a new team member. You’d provide detailed explanations and examples for them to follow. Similarly, with a Custom GPT, you’ll need to instruct the AI using detailed steps and examples.

Setting Up Multiple Steps

Where a simple prompt might guide the AI to execute a single action, a Custom GPT allows you to set up complex tasks that involve multiple steps. For instance, you could set up a Custom GPT to:

1. Gather information from specific sources.
2. Analyze the data.
3. Generate a report with actionable insights.

Prompting and Interactivity

A Custom GPT can prompt you for additional information or ask clarifying questions to ensure it’s performing the task correctly. This interactive element makes it much more dynamic and adaptable than a static prompt.

Task Execution

Custom GPTs can perform a variety of tasks seamlessly. Here are some examples:

• Marketing Automation: Automate campaign planning and scheduling.
• Content Creation: Generate blog posts, social media updates, and newsletters.
• Customer Engagement: Provide personalized responses and interaction patterns.
• Data Analysis: Analyze and interpret large datasets for insights.

How to Build a Custom GPT Using ChatGPT

To create a Custom GPT, you’ll need access to ChatGPT Plus (which uses the GPT-4 architecture). Here are the steps to get started and build your own Custom GPT:

Step 1: Accessing ChatGPT Plus

Sign Up or Upgrade: If you’re not already a ChatGPT Plus subscriber, sign up or upgrade your plan to ChatGPT Plus. This subscription gives you access to the more advanced GPT-4 model, which is required for Custom GPTs.

• Login or Sign Up at OpenAI: Go to OpenAI’s ChatGPT and either log in to your existing account or sign up for a new one.
• Upgrade to Plus: Navigate to the subscription options and choose the ChatGPT Plus plan.

Step 2: Defining Your Custom GPT Use Case

Identify the Task: Clearly define what task or series of tasks you want your Custom GPT to perform. This could be anything from automating report generation, personalizing customer communication, to managing social media content.

• Example Scenario: Let’s say you want to create a Custom GPT to generate weekly marketing reports.

Step 3: Preparing the Training Data and Instructions

Gather Data and Information: Collect any relevant data, instructions, and examples that the GPT will need to understand and perform the task.

• Sample Data: Historical reports, key metrics, desired format, etc.
• Instructions: Step-by-step guidelines on how to analyze data, what insights to generate, and the report format.

Step 4: Building the Custom GPT

Start a New Conversation: Open a new conversation in the ChatGPT interface.

• Prompt Example: “You are a marketing assistant designed to create weekly marketing reports. Each week, you will analyze data from our marketing campaigns, summarize key performance indicators, and generate insights. Here is an example of the type of report I need [insert example].”

Train with Detailed Prompts: Provide a series of prompts that teach the GPT what to do. This involves step-by-step instructions and examples to create a robust understanding.

• Initial Prompt: “Analyze the following data and summarize the weekly performance metrics: [insert data].”
• Follow-Up Prompt: “Based on the analysis, provide insights on campaign performance and suggestions for improvement.”
• Clarify and Iterate: The GPT may ask for clarifications or further details. Respond to refine its understanding and processes.

Step 5: Testing and Iterating

Test the Custom GPT: Run the Custom GPT through multiple iterations to ensure it performs as expected.

• Provide Feedback: Offer feedback on its responses to improve accuracy and relevance. For example, if it misses a step in generating the report, correct it and re-run the process.
• Refinement: Continuously refine the prompts and instructions until the Custom GPT consistently produces the desired outcomes.

Step 6: Saving and Reusing the Custom GPT

Save the Custom GPT: Once satisfied with its performance, you can document the series of prompts and instructions for future use.

• Reuse: Whenever you need to execute the task, start a new session with the initial training prompt followed by the task-specific prompts.

Custom GPT for Marketing Examples

Here are three specific examples of Custom GPTs tailored for marketers that are available for use now:

1. Rank Math SEO Optimized Content Writer: This GPT developed by Rank Math is designed to generate 100% optimized SEO content ready for publishing on WordPress sites. It aims to assist marketers in creating well-optimized articles that cater to SEO strategies. Access Rank Math SEO Optimized Content Writer
2. Transcript Thief – YouTube Video Analyzer: The Transcript Thief GPT, created by YouTube Media Mastery, helps come up with original ideas for short-form content starting from a YouTube video’s transcript. This tool can assist marketers in ideation and content creation for video-based marketing strategies. Try Transcript Thief
3. Digital Marketing Manager – Marketing Campaign Analysis: Designed for rapid, insightful analysis of Google Ads campaign results, the Digital Marketing Manager GPT offers comprehensive reviews of marketing campaigns. It also provides fresh marketing strategies customized to enhance brand presence and optimize product impact. Access Digital Marketing Manager

These three Custom GPTs cater to different aspects of marketing, providing valuable assistance in content creation, video analysis, and campaign optimization. Each tool serves a specific marketing need and can be a valuable addition to a marketer’s toolkit.

Ideas For Your Own Custom GPT

Creating Custom GPTs can provide marketers with tailored solutions that specifically address their needs and streamline their workflows. Here are ten ideas for Custom GPTs that marketers can set up for themselves:

1. Content Calendar Planner

• Description: A GPT that helps plan and organize a content calendar by suggesting topics, scheduling posts, and aligning content with key dates and marketing campaigns.
• Benefits: Ensures consistent and strategic content publication, aligning marketing efforts with business goals.

2. Social Media Post Generator

• Description: Generates engaging social media posts tailored to different platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn) based on provided keywords, themes, or campaign objectives.
• Benefits: Saves time on brainstorming and writing posts, ensuring brand voice consistency across channels.

3. Email Campaign Personalizer

• Description: Creates personalized email copy based on customer segments, purchase history, and user behavior, optimizing for open rates and conversions.
• Benefits: Enhances email marketing effectiveness through targeted, customized messaging.

4. Ad Copy Optimizer

• Description: Generates and refines ad copy for various formats (Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc.) and provides split-testing options for performance optimization.
• Benefits: Improves ad performance by generating highly effective copy, reducing the time and effort involved in writing ads.

5. SEO Content Improver

• Description: Analyzes existing content and provides suggestions to improve SEO, such as keyword integration, meta descriptions, internal linking, and readability enhancements.
• Benefits: Enhances search engine visibility and attracts more organic traffic through optimized content.

6. Customer Journey Mapper

• Description: Helps visualize and map out customer journeys by analyzing data points and interactions, suggesting personalized touchpoints and content.
• Benefits: Increases engagement and conversion rates by delivering personalized and timely content based on customer behavior.

7. Competitive Analysis Assistant

• Description: Conducts competitive analysis by gathering and summarizing data on competitors’ marketing strategies, including content topics, keywords, and social media activity.
• Benefits: Provides insights into market positioning and helps refine marketing strategies to stay ahead of competitors.

8. Influencer Outreach Coordinator

• Description: Assists in identifying relevant influencers, crafting personalized outreach messages, and tracking communication and collaboration progress.
• Benefits: Streamlines influencer marketing efforts, enhancing collaboration efficiency and relationships.

9. Customer Feedback Analyzer

• Description: Analyzes customer feedback and reviews to identify common themes, sentiments, and areas for improvement, providing actionable insights.
• Benefits: Improves product and service offerings based on real customer feedback, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.

10. Content Idea Brainstormer

• Description: Generates new content ideas based on trending topics, keywords, and audience interests, tailored to different formats like blog posts, videos, and infographics.
• Benefits: Keeps content fresh and engaging, ensuring a steady flow of ideas that resonate with the target audience.

These Custom GPT examples can help marketers automate and optimize various aspects of their workflows, from content creation and SEO to customer engagement and competitive analysis. By tailoring these GPTs to their specific needs, marketers can enhance their productivity, creativity, and overall marketing effectiveness.

Bringing It All Together

Custom GPTs represent a significant step forward in how we can leverage AI to make our work more efficient and impactful. The possibilities are vast, and the benefits are clear. Whether you’re managing a podcast like me, running marketing campaigns, or engaging with customers, Custom GPTs can be tailored to meet your needs.

I’m using a custom Magai Persona multiple times a week to help me build out podcast introductions and questions and prepare for interviews, and I’m excited to explore other custom GPTs and Personas I can create to make me even more efficient. You can too!

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