Complete Guide: How to Set Up a Custom GPT for Your Business
What You Can Do with a Custom GPT?
Personal Assistant
Take notes, organize thoughts, create lists, search the web, write emails, and automate repetitive tasks—hands-free with voice commands or short prompts.
Social Media Content Creator
Generate and schedule posts, blogs, videos, and newsletters. Tailor tone and format for each platform (Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, etc.).
Blog Content Machine
Write full blog articles from keywords, topics, or outlines. Automate sending to your email list and repurpose across channels.
Email Management
Sort inboxes, draft replies, and set up smart autoresponders. Keep tone consistent and professional.
Brand-Specific AI
Train GPT to sound like you—your tone, values, and workflows—so every output feels on-brand.
Automation Hub
Trigger actions in Zapier, Notion, Airtable, Google Docs, Slack, Mailchimp, and more. Automate lead capture, publishing, and workflows.
Analytics & Planning
Summarize data, spot trends, and build strategic plans. Use insights to guide decisions.
Scalable & Supported
Custom GPTs can grow with your business. Expand capabilities anytime.
Step-by-Step: Setting Up Your Custom GPT
1. Log in & Access GPT Builder
Go to chat.openai.com
Log in and ensure you have ChatGPT Plus ✅ You need a ChatGPT Plus subscription ($20/month) to create and use Custom GPTs
Click "Explore GPTs" in the sidebar
Click Create
2. Choose Your Build Method
🔹 Create Tab (Chat-Based Builder) - GPT guides you with questions
Best for beginners
🔹 Configure Tab (Full Control) - Set name, tone, instructions, files, and capabilities
Best if you know what you want
3. Configure Tab – What to Fill Out
Name – Simple and clear.
Example: “Social Media Assistant” or “Lead Gen Bot”
Description – One-liner of what it does.
Example: “Helps small businesses create content, schedule posts, and manage email.”
Instructions (Your GPT’s Brain) – Include:
• What it should do
• Tone/style rules
• Words to avoid
• How to act in specific scenarios
Example:
You are a friendly but direct assistant. Keep responses short, helpful, and real. No fluff. Avoid emojis, hashtags, and buzzwords. Always use active voice and give examples. - Don't go too crazy here, we'll be programming the Brain next!!
Conversation Starters – Add 3–5 prompts.
Example:
“Write 3 Instagram captions about my services”
“Help me outline a blog post on [topic]”
“Draft a welcome email for new subscribers”
Knowledge (File Uploads) – Upload:
Brand voice guide
Services list & pricing
FAQs
Past content examples
Capabilities – Toggle ON/OFF as needed:
Web Browsing – Live research
DALL·E – Image creation
Code Interpreter – Charts, math, data
Canvas – Diagrams & visuals
Actions (API & Integrations) – Connect to tools like Zapier, Google Sheets, Airtable, Mailchimp, Slack, etc. (Requires OpenAPI schema.)
4. Test & Refine
Use Preview to test:
“What do you do?”
“Write a caption for XYZ”
“What’s my pricing?”
Fix tone, accuracy, or structure as needed.
5. Save & Share
Click Update or Create
IMPORTANT: Choose:
• Private (you only)
• Link Only (share with team/clients)
• Public (listed in GPT Store)
🧠 Programming Your GPT Brain (Context Bank)
Your “brain” = the files + instructions that give GPT your voice, style, and business info.
Generate these using prompts in a regular Chat below, then upload into the custom gpt instructions:
Brand Voice
Prompt:
Help me define my brand voice formula. Ask me 5–7 questions about how I want to sound when I communicate with my audience. Focus on tone, personality, messaging approach, and style. Don’t ask about content.
Audience Profile
Prompt:
Ask me 5–7 questions to define my ideal customer—age, habits, struggles, values, fears, and buying behavior.
Offers & Pricing
Prompt:
Ask me about every offer I sell: what’s included, who it’s for, how it’s priced, and what problem it solves.
Content Guidelines
Prompt:
Help me define how I want my content to look and feel. Ask about tone, length, formatting preferences, and what I dislike online.
Content Examples
Prompt:
Ask me to share 3–5 of my best content pieces and help me label what works in each—tone, hook, format, etc.
Industry Context (504)
Prompt:
Ask me about my industry, what makes me different, trends I follow, common audience fears, and key messages I stand for.
Goals & Vision
Prompt:
Ask me 5–7 questions about where I want my brand to go—what I want more of, less of, and the big vision.
Organize & Upload in the Knowledge section along with any other information you want your new assistant to access.
📝 Bonus – Study Mode Prompt
I’m a [CUSTOMER TYPE].
I want to learn [TOPIC] in [TIMEFRAME].
Build me a course outline with:
Modules & Lessons
Lesson Duration
What I’ll Learn
What’s Included
A Summary of Each Lesson
Use this prompt to learn how to teach your customers valuable information and use it as your "ideal client" tester to see what your target audience is looking for.