Boost Your Social Media Presence with Custom AI GPTs
A step-by-step guide to creating a AI that writes all your social media posts just like you (no coding required)
Why you should automate social media content creation: Do you find yourself doing the same thing and want to steal back some precious time? This article will give a practical example of creating a custom GPT to write social media posts using your writing style.
You did it! Now, you need to share it!
Did you just finish crafting an insightful article, launching an innovative product, or completing a major project? Perhaps you’ve hit an exciting milestone, like reaching a sales goal or winning an industry award. Chances are, you’re eager to share your accomplishments with the world and connect with your audience. Social media posts let you showcase your work, build your brand, and spark conversations that could open doors to new opportunities.
Of course, social media platforms have unique approaches to sharing information, so you do not want to create something generic with the same content for each platform. For example, here are common ways people post on social media:
Some platforms limit how much text you can include. Still, others might value images or photos over text.
For example, on Reddit and Instagram, a photo or image is often accompanied by a question, poll, or catchy statement. On LinkedIn, people tend to share their content in long-form statements, sometimes with bullets and emojis, to reflect their points of view on business-related topics.
Writing your posts for each platform can take time and effort, so why not have AI do the first pass for you? Once complete, you can review the post, modify it to your liking, and copy and paste it to your socials.
Okay, I am in! Step me through the process!
Before you start, you should know there are different ways to accomplish this objective. You can use my instructions to create a new chat in any LLM (large language model), like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Copilot.
However, some LLMs allow you to standardize the process by creating a “GPT” that always follows your instructions. I will use Custom GPTs in ChatGPT, but you should also look into Gemini Gems, Perplexity Spaces, and Claude Projects. Sorry, Copilot users, but Microsoft recently removed their GPT Builder 🙁.
If you follow the ChatGPT instructions in this article, you will need a paid plan account (e.g., Plus, Pro, Team, or Enterprise).
Step 1: Gather your writing 📚
If you want the LLM to write social media posts in your particular writing style, you must “train” it with knowledge of your writing style, tone, and personality.
In my case, I found a few articles for which I am particularly proud, and they best represent the way I write. Later in this article, I will upload them to my custom GPT.
I found four articles on this Bill Talks AI site that I am particularly proud of that represent some of my best writing. To prepare them, I open each article using Safari on my Mac, then use the File→Export as PDF… menu options. If you do not have that option, you can always copy and paste the content into formats ChatGPT can understand, like:
Text files
Microsoft Word documents
Microsoft PowerPoint documents
Markdown files
PDF documents
eBook formats like ePub or Mobi
As you can see in the following image, I exported the four PDF articles to a folder on my desktop.
Step 2: Create the custom GPT ✨
Go to ChatGPT and log in with your paid account.
Locate and select the My GPTs option. That option usually appears with your profile picture. However, if you are using the app rather than a browser, it may be in other locations. Note: As of this writing, you cannot create a custom GPT on your phone.
Locate the My GPTs section and then select the Create a GPT option.
Locate and select the Configure tab.
Fill out the following fields using similar text to what I share here:
Name: Bill's Social Media Post GeneratorDescription: Use Bill's writing style, tone, and vibe to generate social media posts.Instructions:
Write social media posts for Bill using the writing style found in your KNOWLEDGE. You must write the social media post using one of the following templates.
If no template is provided, write the post following the specified social media site's policies or guidelines.
If LINKEDIN is specified, you MUST use the following template that is contained within the following --- block:
---
[emoji] Create a catchy title in the form of a question
Two very short paragraphs designed to answer the title's question.
[unique emoji] Topic covered
[unique emoji] Topic covered
[unique emoji] Most unique topic covered
1-sentence call to action
relevant hashtags
---
When you create an Instagram post, you must always create a photo or image for the topic, using the following format between the ---. You must always create an image or photo and the following format is the ONLY format you should use for INSTAGRAM:
---
[generated photo]
[emoji] Create a short sentence with your current vibe.
relevant hashtags
---Conversation starters:
Create a LinkedIn Post
Create an Instagram Post As you scroll down the configuration, you will find some additional required settings, as you can see in the following image:
Knowledge: [upload a few files that represent your writing style]Capabilities: You will have to decide what settings you want, but I always select “Web Search” if you share a link to your writing. I also chose Image DALL-E Generation so you can create an image for social media.Actions: You do not need to create an action.Additional Settings: I de-select the "Use conversation data in your GPT to improve our models" option. Select the Create button. A Share GPT dialog appears. For now, select Only Me and then select the Save button. You can modify these settings at any time.
A Settings Saved dialog appears. Select the View GPT option.
💡 Did you notice how I wrote the Instructions with CAPITAL LETTERS and used firm words like “MUST”? LLMs tend to output their response in a format they want to use. Using a firm tone and capital letters gives a directive to the LLM to ensure you receive the prompt output you require. I always say, “Be nice to your AI” and you will get better responses. But, when you want something in a specific format, sometimes you must be a firm parent with strict rules 🙂.
Step 3: Test your custom no-code GPT 🛠️
Your custom GPT may or may not work exactly the way you want the first time, but to test it out, try each social media post type, one at a time.
You should now be in a new chat with your Social Media Post Generator GPT. Using a single prompt, type the following text and upload (or copy and paste) some content you want to summarize for a social media post. As you can see in the following image, I uploaded a PDF of an article about Unlocking the Secrets of AI Models. When ready, submit the prompt.
Prompt: [paste your content or upload a file]
Here is a new article I want to share on social media. Create a LinkedIn post for me.As you can see in the following screenshot, Bill’s Social Media Post Generator Custom GPT generated a post using my writing style based on the LinkedIn template I defined.
Now, let’s create an Instagram post. This time, ChatGPT should generate an image with a short caption. While still in the same chat where you made the LinkedIn post, type the following prompt and submit it.
Prompt: Now, create an Instagram post.💡 As you can see in the following image, the custom GPT creates the Instagram post based on the template. I have run through this example a few times, and sometimes, it replaces the text “[generated photo]” with the photo (expected behavior). Other times, it generates the image after the fact 🤷. The good news is you can easily copy and paste the image and text for a post.
Are you excited about creating a custom GPT but need a helping hand? Bill can provide you with guidance and support. Book a consultation using the following button:
Step 4: Edit the custom GPT and add a logo 🖼️
In this step, you will learn how to edit the custom GPT. Specifically, you will create a logo (icon) for it.
Select your profile picture and select My GPTs. The My GPTs window displays as shown in the following image. Locate the GPT you want to modify and select the Edit icon.
Select the Configure tab, as shown in the following image. Next, select the “+” icon where a logo displays typically. A dialog appears. Select the Use DALL-E option.
After a few moments, a new logo (icon) should appear in the configuration and Preview areas. Select the Update button to save your changes.
That’s it! Now, you can use your new GPT to create social media posts using your writing style and in your preferred format! When you go to ChatGPT, you will find the custom GPT in your sidebar. Select it, and a unique chat window will appear with the logo you created previously, similar to the following image:
Cool! What are some other custom GPTs I can create?
The types of custom GPTs you can create are unlimited, but the following are a few examples some of my clients use:
Resumé/CV tailoring: Upload your resume as the knowledge and then have ChatGPT modify it based on uploaded job descriptions. You could even have ChatGPT draft a cover letter.
Proposal Drafting Assistant: Upload winning proposals and templates to help draft new project proposals or business pitches.
Event Organizer: Build a custom GPT for a new personal or professional event. Upload knowledge such as the event's name, who should attend, and when the event will occur. Add instructions for the style of writing (tone, vibe, short, long, funny, professional), and then use it to draft emails, advertise the event, create schedules, and more.
Summarize reports: Let's say you summarize critical business data monthly, but it is difficult for an average person to consume. Create a custom GPT that will simplify the data for a broader audience that may not be as knowledgeable as you in understanding the meaning.
But always check your facts! ✅
Having this personal assistant working for you can be exciting, but remember, you publish the final content. Check the facts, update the language, or make any other changes that make your content uniquely you!