AI Explored Podcast Summary Episode: Custom GPTs Secrets: How to Get Great Results Every Time
Release Date: April 15, 2025
Host: Michael Stelzner, Social Media Examiner—AI Marketing
Guest: Saj Deeb, Filmmaker and Founder of Howfinity

1. Introduction

In this episode of AI Explored, host Michael Stelzner delves into the intricacies of Custom GPTs with Saj Deeb, a seasoned filmmaker and AI enthusiast. The discussion centers around optimizing Custom GPTs to deliver consistent and high-quality results, especially for marketers, creators, and business owners.

2. Saj Deeb's Journey into AI

[02:12] Saj Deeb:
"I think the best place is probably eight years ago when I started making YouTube content on a regular basis..."

Saj shares his evolution from a filmmaker with a background in video production to an AI-focused content creator. Over eight years, he built Howfinity and launched the Skill Leap AI YouTube channel, which now boasts over 249,000 subscribers. His foray into AI began in late 2022 with the emergence of ChatGPT, leading him to pivot his content strategy to focus exclusively on AI tools and their applications for businesses.

3. The Benefits of Custom GPTs

[10:03] Saj Deeb:
"Custom GPTs are a very specialized AI tool... they take the broad ChatGPT and train it to do a very specific task way better..."

Saj emphasizes that Custom GPTs serve as specialized extensions of ChatGPT, tailored to perform specific tasks more efficiently than the general AI model. He highlights two primary benefits:

1. Specialization: Custom GPTs excel in niche areas, providing more accurate and relevant outputs for particular tasks.
2. Efficiency: They streamline workflows by eliminating the need for repeated prompting, thereby saving time and increasing productivity.

4. Downsides of Custom GPTs

[13:36] Michael Stelzner:
"Create a custom GPT. Got it. Okay, so what are the downsides of Custom GPTs?"

While Custom GPTs offer significant advantages, Saj points out some limitations:

• Model Restrictions: Custom GPTs are confined to the ChatGPT model (currently GPT-4.0), lacking the flexibility to switch to other models like Claude, which some users prefer for different writing styles.

• Feature Limitations: Advanced ChatGPT features such as Deep Research and Advanced Voice Mode aren’t integrated into Custom GPTs, limiting their capabilities.

• Knowledge Base Constraints: The inability to connect live sources like Google Drive restricts the dynamic updating of information within Custom GPTs.

[15:32] Saj Deeb:
"From time to time, especially if you use things to do content writing, it is worth checking the system instructions..."

5. Creating Effective Custom GPTs

a. System Instructions

[24:26] Saj Deeb:
"System instruction is by far the most important..."

Saj outlines a four-step approach to crafting effective system instructions for Custom GPTs:

1. Define a Specific Purpose: Clearly state what the GPT is designed to do.
   Example:
   "This GPT generates highly clickable YouTube titles for YouTube creators."
   [26:33]

2. Establish the Tone: Specify the desired language style.
   Example:
   "Direct, compelling, and slightly clickbaity, but not misleading."
   [26:33]

3. Set Rules: Outline guidelines to ensure consistency and relevance.
   Example:
   "Keep titles under 60 characters, use power words, balance human appeal and SEO."
   [26:33]

4. Provide Examples: Include sample outputs to guide the GPT.
   Example:
   "10 AI hacks that will save you hours a week."
   [26:33]

Notable Quote:
[26:33] Saj Deeb:
"That's why it took like 30 minutes to really fine-tune these because you want to build them, give it instruction, see the output and then go back..."

b. Knowledge Bases

[29:30] Saj Deeb:
"Most of mine don't have a knowledge base because the system instruction has enough space..."

Knowledge bases supplement system instructions by providing additional context and information. Key points include:

• Document Management: Limit to 5-10 documents, each up to 3 pages or 1.5 million words, to prevent overwhelming the GPT.

• Content Quality: Use plain formatting (e.g., Microsoft Word documents) to ensure compatibility and effectiveness.

• Use Cases: Ideal for tasks requiring specific knowledge, such as creating Facebook ad copies or detailed marketing strategies.

[31:37] Michael Stelzner:
"Notebook LM is a Google tool that is free..."

Saj recommends tools like Notebook LM for managing extensive knowledge bases, especially when dealing with large amounts of dynamic data.

6. Practical Applications: Examples of Saj’s Custom GPTs

Saj illustrates the power of Custom GPTs through various use cases:

• YouTube Titles and Descriptions:
  Generates SEO-friendly and engaging titles and descriptions by processing video transcripts.
  [22:34]

• LinkedIn Posts:
  Transforms YouTube transcripts and search-based content into LinkedIn posts, streamlining cross-platform content repurposing.
  [22:34]

• Facebook Ad Copy (Marketing Navigator):
  Creates benefit-driven ad copy tailored for Facebook, utilizing a structured knowledge base containing target audience insights, unique selling propositions, and high-performing ad examples.
  [22:34]

Notable Quote:
[23:59] Saj Deeb:
"It was like, okay, give me another one, give me another one. And then I kind of just look at it and then copy and paste to Facebook from there directly. So it's a huge time saver."

7. Enhancing System Instructions

[41:17] Saj Deeb:
"I like that."

To refine system instructions, Saj suggests leveraging ChatGPT or Claude to analyze and improve existing prompts. Steps include:

1. Copy Existing Instructions: Extract the current system prompt from the Custom GPT.
2. Seek Improvement: Use ChatGPT or Claude to refine and enhance the instructions.
3. Implement Changes: Paste the improved instructions back into the Custom GPT.

This iterative process ensures that Custom GPTs remain effective and aligned with user intentions.

8. Team Plans and Sharing Custom GPTs

[44:09] Michael Stelzner:
"Let’s talk about teams and the benefit of Custom GPTs."

Saj discusses the advantages of utilizing Teams Plans for sharing Custom GPTs within organizations:

• Centralized Access: Custom GPTs saved in the workspace are accessible to all team members, fostering consistency.

• Controlled Sharing: Unlike public links, workspace-shared GPTs maintain privacy and security, safeguarding sensitive information.

• Ease of Use: Team members can readily adopt Custom GPTs without individual setup, enhancing collaborative efficiency.

[46:00] Michael Stelzner:
"Talk about the @ mention."

Utilizing the @ mention feature allows users to quickly access and integrate multiple Custom GPTs within a single chat, streamlining workflows and reducing the need to switch between different GPTs.

9. Conclusion

The episode concludes with Saj offering avenues for listeners to connect and engage with his work through LinkedIn and his website, SkillLeapAI.com. He emphasizes the importance of specialized Custom GPTs in optimizing business processes and enhancing productivity for marketers and entrepreneurs.

[48:26] Saj Deeb:
"SkillleapAI.com is the website where we have the library of courses..."

Key Takeaways

• Specialization over Generalization: Tailoring GPTs for specific tasks yields better performance and efficiency.

• Structured Setup: Clear system instructions and well-organized knowledge bases are crucial for effective Custom GPTs.

• Continuous Improvement: Regularly refining system prompts and leveraging advanced tools ensures Custom GPTs remain relevant and powerful.

• Collaborative Advantages: Utilizing Teams Plans facilitates seamless sharing and consistent usage of Custom GPTs within organizations.

Notable Quote:
[26:33] Saj Deeb:
"These are the most important things. I don’t want you to mess. That's when I notice people get frustrated..."

For more detailed show notes and resources discussed in this episode, visit Social Media Examiner Podcast.