The ChatGPT Experiment - Simplifying Chat GPT For Curious Beginners

Episode 63: Introduction to Deep Research & A Customer GPT
Host: Cary Weston
Release Date: March 26, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 63 of "The ChatGPT Experiment - Simplifying Chat GPT For Curious Beginners," host Cary Weston delves into two innovative applications of ChatGPT: the Deep Research Tool and the creation of a Custom GPT for Customers. Aimed at empowering listeners to harness the full potential of ChatGPT, Cary shares personal experiences, addresses listener inquiries, and provides practical demonstrations of these advanced features.

Personal Update and Welcome

Cary begins the episode with a heartfelt personal update, discussing his recent bout with a bug or virus that affected his well-being. He shares his journey to recovery, highlighting the importance of appreciating good health and functionality when not hindered by illness or injury.

Cary Weston [00:00]: “When we're not [sick or injured], we forget how much we might take for granted some of the things that we have when we can actually function as we normally do.”

This personal touch sets a relatable tone for the episode, emphasizing resilience and gratitude.

Mailbag: Handling Transcription Issues

Cary addresses a listener question from Ian in Texas regarding transcription challenges when recording from an iPhone. Ian experiences delays and inaccuracies in transcript generation after recording audio.

Cary Weston [Mailbag Segment]: “When I record to my iPhone, I use an audio recorder tool... I exported it... use a program called Descript to create a transcript from it.”

Key Points:

• Solution Using Descript: Cary recommends using Descript, a transcription tool that not only converts audio to text but also identifies and labels multiple voices within a conversation.

  Cary Weston [02:15]: “Descript will listen to that audio file, create a transcript from it. If I have two or three people involved, it can recognize multiple voice patterns and label who is speaking.”

• Process Efficiency: By exporting the audio file from the iPhone to a computer (via wireless transfer, email, or Bluetooth), users can achieve more accurate and timely transcriptions.

Ian's Follow-Up [02:50]: “The transcription sometimes doesn't come as soon as we want, and so I use other tools for it.”

Cary welcomes further questions through his website, encouraging community engagement.

Deep Research Tool: Enhancing ChatGPT’s Capabilities

Cary introduces the Deep Research Tool, an advanced feature available in the paid version of ChatGPT. This tool enhances ChatGPT’s ability to provide accurate and comprehensive information by connecting it to external resources.

Cary Weston [05:00]: “Deep Research is doing really well in connecting ChatGPT to the outside world of resources... it's taking the cue from you and using its powers to go out and connect to resources that will help it get the information that you need.”

Key Insights:

1. Improved Accuracy:

   • Recognizes its own limitations and seeks external resources to provide more reliable answers.

2. Detailed Inputs Yield Better Outputs:

   • Emphasizes the importance of providing clear and detailed prompts.

   Cary Weston [06:30]: “The better the input, the better the request. The more detail you give it, the better the output's going to be.”

3. Time Investment:

   • Deep Research can take 10-15 minutes to process complex queries, displaying a progress bar to indicate ongoing activity.

   Cary Weston [07:15]: “It does take a while. It will literally process for... up to 15 minutes.”

4. Thoroughness and Source Citation:

   • Provides comprehensive analysis with cited sources, enhancing credibility and allowing users to verify information.

   Cary Weston [08:00]: “It cites them in the work that it gives you and then it has a list of resources at the end... you can actually reference the external resources.”

Practical Example: Cary shares his experience using Deep Research to prepare for a workshop aimed at hardscape and landscape contractors in Maine.

Cary Weston [10:00]: “Can you tell me what the top three trends are in Maine for hardscape and the hardscape and landscape industry?”

The tool intelligently clarified the geographical context and provided detailed, sourced insights, transforming Cary’s preparation process.

Notable Analogy: The $10,000 Golf Putt Cary uses the $10,000 putt analogy to illustrate the importance of preparation in business interactions.

Cary Weston [11:30]: “The $10,000 putt analogy applies here to deep research. If you have a meeting or a sales pitch, you should be most prepared for it... Deep Research can be something that would be of value to you.”

This analogy underscores the critical role of thorough research in seizing high-stakes opportunities.

Custom GPT for Customers: Creating an Objective Voice

Expanding on the Deep Research Tool, Cary introduces the concept of creating a Custom GPT for Customers. This feature allows businesses to simulate the perspective of their ideal customers, enhancing marketing and customer engagement strategies.

Cary Weston [15:00]: “Just as businesses help customers, nonprofits help donors... the custom GPT will be helpful to give you an objective voice, to have kind of a focus group with you 24/7.”

Steps to Create a Custom GPT:

1. Define Customer Attributes:

   • Utilize previous exercises to outline the characteristics, behaviors, and preferences of the best-fit customers.

2. Incorporate Emotional and Empathetic Positions:

   • Go beyond basic attributes to include emotions, worries, frustrations, and motivations.

   Cary Weston [16:30]: “It's not just a bucket list of things. This is going to enable you to take that one step further, which is give me the list, but also give me the emotional components of what they think, what they feel.”

3. Generate Detailed Instructions:

   • Cary provides a document on his website with step-by-step instructions to create and implement the Custom GPT.

Applications:

• Content Creation: Crafting web copy, emails, and video scripts with feedback as if from actual customers.

  Cary Weston [20:45]: “We outline our thoughts to create the article or the email or the script and ask the Custom GPT to review it as if it were the customer.”

• Marketing Testing: Evaluating different subject lines, messages, and strategies to determine what resonates most with the target audience.

• Workshops and Training: Enhancing presentations and pitches by deeply understanding customer perspectives.

Benefits:

• Consistency: Provides continuous, objective feedback akin to a focus group.
• Efficiency: Streamlines the iterative process of refining marketing materials.
• Insightfulness: Uncovers nuanced customer sentiments that may not be immediately apparent.

Conclusion and Resources

Cary wraps up the episode by directing listeners to his website, chatgptexperiment.com, where they can access:

• Episode Archives: A backlog of all podcast episodes.
• Downloadable Documents: Detailed instructions and prompts for using Deep Research and creating Custom GPTs.
• Workshops and Trainings: Information on upcoming sessions and how to join.

Cary Weston [25:30]: “The number one component to you being successful with ChatGPT is your own curiosity. So, stay curious and we'll talk soon.”

Cary emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and experimentation, encouraging listeners to explore and utilize the tools discussed to enhance their personal and professional endeavors.

Key Takeaways

• Deep Research Tool: Enhances ChatGPT’s capability by connecting it to external resources, ensuring more accurate and comprehensive information retrieval. It's essential to provide detailed prompts and be patient with processing times.

• Custom GPT for Customers: Enables businesses and organizations to simulate customer perspectives, improving marketing strategies and customer engagement through objective, continuous feedback.

• Practical Applications: From content creation to market testing, these tools offer significant advantages in preparing for high-stakes business interactions and refining communication materials.

• Resources Available: Cary provides valuable resources on his website, ensuring listeners have access to the necessary tools and instructions to implement these advanced ChatGPT features effectively.

Notable Quotes

• Cary Weston [00:00]: “The only thing you want to be when you're sick is not sick... When we're not, we forget how much we might take for granted some of the things that we have when we can actually function as we normally do.”

• Cary Weston [06:30]: “The better the input, the better the request. The more detail you give it, the better the output's going to be.”

• Cary Weston [11:30]: “The $10,000 putt analogy applies here to deep research. If you have a meeting or a sales pitch, you should be most prepared for it... Deep Research can be something that would be of value to you.”

• Cary Weston [15:00]: “The custom GPT will be helpful to give you an objective voice, to have kind of a focus group with you 24/7.”

• Cary Weston [25:30]: “The number one component to you being successful with ChatGPT is your own curiosity. So, stay curious and we'll talk soon.”

By leveraging the Deep Research Tool and creating Custom GPTs, listeners can significantly enhance their interaction with ChatGPT, transforming curiosity into tangible capability across various professional landscapes.