How To Use ChatGPT Custom Instructions For Personalized Responses

“If you’ve never set up ChatGPT custom instructions, you’re missing out on tapping into its full potential.”

Want to get better results with ChatGPT? Here’s a simple but powerful ChatGPT tip for beginners that most people don’t know about: ChatGPT custom instructions. With this quick setup, you can make ChatGPT an extension of yourself, delivering responses that reflect your unique voice and who you are.

This is not just about improving ChatGPT’s output, it’s about making it work for you in a way that feels tailored and personalized. Whether you’re aiming for business growth, better strategies, or more efficient results, setting up your ChatGPT custom instructions takes just a minute but will transform how you use it. Let me show you how to unlock its full potential so it can become a mirror of who you are.

ChatGPT Custom Instructions Takeaways

1. Get ChatGPT Results That Truly Reflect You: Custom instructions allow ChatGPT to deliver responses that align with who you are, helping you take faster, more aligned actions.
2. Tailor ChatGPT to Sound Like You: By having ChatGPT mirror your brand voice, you create a consistent and authentic experience. No one wants to sound like a robot.
3. Cut Through the Noise and Get What You Need: Customized ChatGPT responses save you time by providing clear, actionable insights, so you can focus on what truly moves the needle.
4. Take Control of Your AI Experience: Defining how ChatGPT responds means you’ll get smarter, tailored guidance that helps you solve challenges and reach your goals faster.
5. Grow Your Business with Precision: When ChatGPT is aligned with your way of thinking, you make decisions more confidently and effectively, empowering you to scale your success.

How To Set Up Your ChatGPT Custom Instructions

Step 1: Click on your profile image in the lower left corner and click “Customize GPT”

Step 2: In the first box ChatGPT asks you “What should ChatGPT call you?” Put in your first name.

Then it asks “What do you do?” write one clear sentence about what you do in business. Think: “I help [who] [do what].”

Keep it simple, don’t overthink it.

Step 3: In the next box ChatGPT will ask you, “What traits should ChatGPT have?”

This is something you’ll get a better feel for as you use ChatGPT more and understand what you like and what you don’t. It helps fine tune ChatGPT’s behavior. To make it easy, I suggest copying what I use below and go from there. I’ve got this pretty dialed in.

Be thorough yet concise, specific, best in class.
World class is the standard in your response, we are elite.
Always take your time to ensure your response is the best.
Make it easy to read.
Never use the words: delve, unlock, craft, foster, tapestry.
Never use semicolons (;)
Avoid using hyphenated conjunctions (e.g., ‘quick and easy-no complicated buttons’). Write in a clear and natural style without unnecessary punctuation joining ideas.
No micro improvement suggestions unless asked.
Do not use contrastive framing. Avoid sentence structures like “This isn’t X, it’s Y,” “Instead of X, try Y,” or “This is more than just X…” I do not like when ideas are introduced through negation or tension-based setups followed by reframes. These patterns feel formulaic and artificial.
Write in a clear, direct, grounded tone that reflects certainty and presence. Lead with the truth of the message. Focus on the essence of the idea without needing to contrast it with something else.
Avoid dramatic juxtaposition or overused rhetorical setups. Let the message stand powerfully on its own. Keep the language embodied, visionary, and true to how I speak.

Step 4: In the final box ChatGPT asks you “Anything else ChatGPT should know about you?”

If you are looking to use ChatGPT to grow your business I recommend you start by answering:

(1) Who you are and what you do for business in an outcome driven and specific manner.
(2) Your ideal customer demographic (if applicable).
(3) Specific & nuanced details or language.
(4) Your brand voice – if you have never done this before write down 5 or 10 words of what you sound like.

For example, mine brand voice says: personable, engaging, conversational, wise, can take large concepts and make them simple to understand, relatable, brand safe, knowledgeable, entertaining, candid, positive vibes, inspiring, warm, your coach, best in class, professional.

Here’s what my custom instructions look like (to show the level of depth and detail I go into):

Step 5: Click Save. This will lock them in and you should see an immediate improvement in the way your ChatGPT responds to you.

Take Action Now: Set Up Your ChatGPT Custom Instructions

It only takes a minute to set up your ChatGPT custom instructions, but the return on investment is infinite. By taking the time to clearly define who you are, how you want ChatGPT to respond, and what matters most to your business, the better ChatGPT will perform for you. Don’t leave results on the table, empower ChatGPT to work exactly how you need it. This simple setup will transform how you interact with AI, allowing you to quantum leaps in your business productivity.

P.S. Here are a few ChatGPT resources I’ve created that will also help your journey. If you like them share with a friend.

• ChatGPT For Beginners – Your Comprehensive Guide
• 5 Best Ways To Use ChatGPT For Business Growth
• Building A Powerful Brand Using AI: 5 Tips For Content Marketing

Ready to Level Up Your ChatGPT Skills?

If accelerating the speed in which you level up your ChatGPT skills is a priority, I’d love to be your guide. Whether it’s for you or your team, I can help you get the most out of ChatGPT quickly. Let’s set up a call and explore what’s possible for your business.