A Custom GPT is a saved, reusable, purpose-built version of ChatGPT — with its own instructions, knowledge files, and (optionally) connected actions/tools — that anyone on the team can open and use without re-explaining anything.
Think of it as "hiring" a specialized digital teammate once, instead of re-training ChatGPT every conversation.
Custom GPT vs. Project — the key distinction
- A Project is a folder for an ongoing piece of work (a deal, a client, a reporting cycle) — for YOU
- A Custom GPT is a reusable tool/role you build once and can SHARE with the whole team, used across many different pieces of work
Video 1: Custom GPTs — Resource | OpenAI Academy — Step-by-step guide to building a Custom GPT from scratch.
Video 2: Custom GPTs with plugins — How to connect Outlook and Outlook Calendar to build automated executive briefs.
Video 3: How to Share Custom GPTs from Personal to Team Workspace — Publishing a Custom GPT so teammates can use it.
Live Demo 1 — "Nexus Cold Outreach GPT"
The facilitator builds a Custom GPT for cold email outreach live:
- Name: "Nexus Cold Outreach Writer"
- Instructions: "You are Nexus's outbound sales copywriter. You write personalized cold emails for two product lines: Nexus (IT infrastructure & SAP solutions) and Total Voice (unified communications & cloud telephony). Always ask for the prospect's industry, company size, and known pain point before drafting. Tone: confident, peer-to-peer, never pushy. Structure: compelling subject line, 3 short paragraphs (hook → value → soft CTA), under 100 words. Always include a specific, relevant pain point and one quantified benefit."
- Knowledge: uploads Nexus product one-pager, Total Voice feature sheet, past winning email sequences, ideal customer profile doc
- Test: "Write a cold email to the IT Director of a 200-person logistics company that still uses a legacy PBX phone system across 3 warehouses"
Live Demo 2 — "Nexus Marketing Plan GPT"
The facilitator builds a second Custom GPT for marketing plan generation:
- Name: "Nexus Marketing Plan Builder"
- Instructions: "You are Nexus's marketing strategist. You create comprehensive marketing plans that follow all Nexus branding guidelines, conditions, and requirements. Every plan must include: Target Audience & Personas, Campaign Objectives (SMART), Channel Strategy (LinkedIn, email, events, SEO, paid), Content Calendar, Budget Allocation, KPIs & Measurement Framework, and Timeline. Always reference Nexus brand voice: professional, authoritative, solution-focused. Always ask for the campaign objective, budget range, and target market before drafting."
- Knowledge: uploads Nexus brand guidelines, past campaign results, target persona documents, competitive landscape summary
- Test: "Create a Q4 marketing plan to generate 50 qualified leads for Total Voice in the Thai manufacturing sector with a 200,000 THB budget"
Build your own Custom GPT
Then publish your GPT to the team workspace so the sales and marketing team can use it. Each person tests at least one teammate's GPT and gives 1 piece of feedback.