The ChatGPT Experiment - Simplifying Chat GPT For Curious Beginners
Episode 64: The Custom GPT Process That Works Best For Me
Host: Cary Weston
Release Date: April 9, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 64 of The ChatGPT Experiment, host Cary Weston delves into the nuanced world of Custom GPTs, sharing his personal experiences and best practices for creating highly specialized AI tools tailored to specific tasks and outcomes. Recording the episode from a parking lot while managing his responsibilities as a sports parent, Cary exudes a relatable and down-to-earth demeanor that sets the tone for an engaging and informative session.

Housekeeping and Resources

Cary begins by welcoming both new and returning listeners, emphasizing the wealth of resources available on the podcast's website, chatgptexperiment.com. He highlights two key offerings:

1. Free Downloadable Guide: "On the website chatgptexperiment.com, I've got two things. One is a free download. These are five of my most frequent tips that give people the most value to get started" ([02:15]).

2. One-on-One ChatGPT Sessions: "On the homepage, I do do one-on-one sessions, ChatGPT sessions, and the hour is yours in terms of what you want to pay attention to, talk about, learn, explore" ([05:40]).

These resources are designed to help listeners transition from curiosity to capability, whether they're newcomers or looking to deepen their understanding of ChatGPT.

Understanding Custom GPTs

Cary introduces the concept of Custom GPTs, explaining that this feature is available to paid ChatGPT users. Custom GPTs allow users to create specialized AI tools focused on specific outcomes or tasks by establishing a tailored data source and frame of reference.

"Custom GPTs is the ability for you to create a very specific tool that allows you to focus and hyper focus on one specific outcome, one specific task" ([07:30]).

Examples of Custom GPTs

Cary shares several examples of his own Custom GPTs to illustrate their versatility and effectiveness:

1. Writing Like Cary: A GPT trained on his language, tone, style, and philosophy by feeding it transcripts of conversations and his written articles.

2. Proposal Duplication: Automates the creation of proposals by asking a series of questions and integrating fixed language with variable responses.

3. Article Creation: Assists in drafting articles by generating outlines, introductory paragraphs, and complete drafts based on specified topics and audiences.

4. Customer Focus Group: Models an ideal customer persona, incorporating emotional points, concerns, and common questions to serve as a dedicated focus group for testing ideas and copy.

"I've created a custom GPT that takes on the personality of that customer. So it's like a dedicated focus group for the best right fit customers for this particular client" ([12:10]).

Creating Your Own Custom GPT

Cary outlines a three-part process for creating effective Custom GPTs:

1. Define Your Goal and Engage with ChatGPT: Start by clearly stating your objective to ChatGPT without mentioning Custom GPTs. For instance, "I really want to get to understand a certain customer set, right? How can you help me do that?" ([08:45]). Follow ChatGPT's guidance, asking for more details and refining your requests to build a comprehensive understanding of the task.

2. Develop the Custom GPT Configuration: Once satisfied with the outcome, ask ChatGPT for specific configuration details that can be directly copied and pasted into the Custom GPT interface. Cary emphasizes the importance of having a clear and detailed goal to ensure the GPT meets your needs.

3. Implement and Utilize: Copy the provided configuration into your Custom GPT setup. Cary points listeners to a downloadable document on the podcast's website that includes step-by-step instructions and screenshots, making the process accessible even for beginners.

"The same methodology is true for whatever your goal might be. I just want you to be able to see the approach that I took to talk with ChatGPT to share the goal, to explore the outcome, to get the list and the details so then we can use it and replicate it over and over again" ([15:20]).

Resources and Next Steps

Listeners are encouraged to visit chatgptexperiment.com to download the accompanying document for this episode, which provides a practical example of creating a customer-focused GPT. Cary reiterates the versatility of Custom GPTs, suggesting applications ranging from recipe creation to content generation.

"Maybe you're in business and having a focus group for the right, best fit customer for your business would be highly valuable if you're creating social media and articles and website copies and emails and whatnot. It certainly would be" ([16:40]).

Conclusion

Cary wraps up the episode with a personal touch, introducing his daughter Serena and sharing a light-hearted moment before signing off. He reinforces the podcast's mission to make AI approachable and practical, encouraging listeners to stay curious and explore the endless possibilities that ChatGPT offers.

"Until next time, stay curious, okay? Until we talk soon. Be good." ([17:20]).

Key Takeaways

• Custom GPTs enable users to create specialized AI tools tailored to specific tasks by defining detailed objectives and configurations.

• Process for Creating Custom GPTs:

  1. Define and communicate your goal to ChatGPT.
  2. Develop a detailed configuration based on ChatGPT's guidance.
  3. Implement the configuration into a Custom GPT for repeated use.

• Resources: Utilize the free guides and one-on-one sessions available on chatgptexperiment.com for comprehensive support.

• Versatility: Custom GPTs can be applied across various domains, including writing, proposal generation, and customer analysis, enhancing both personal and professional workflows.

Notable Quotes

• "Tell me more is my favorite word." ([10:05])

• "Custom GPTs is a way in which you can create a hyper focused partner in ChatGPT for a task, a situation, for an outcome or a need that you're going to go to time and time again." ([09:15])

• "The ability for ChatGPT to say, if you want to do this over and over again, here's the instructions and I'll go paste this somewhere so you can… it's terrifically powerful." ([14:30])

For those eager to harness the full potential of ChatGPT through Custom GPTs, Cary Weston's insightful guidance in Episode 64 provides a clear roadmap to transforming curiosity into actionable AI capabilities. Whether you're a beginner or looking to deepen your engagement with AI, this episode offers valuable strategies to enhance your productivity and creativity.