Unlock Better ChatGPT Output with Custom Instructions

Three women sit on a stage at a table for a panel discussion. One woman on the left, Missy Voronyak, is holding a microphone. Another woman is standing behind a podium - the moderator.
Missy Voronyak, Dara Beevas, and Meghan McInerney speaking on a panel at the Business Women’s Circle Annual Forum, moderated by Nancy Lyons in July 2024. Photo credit: Angela Divine Photography

I had the opportunity to serve as a panelist at the 2024 Business Women’s Circle Annual Forum, discussing how technology can enhance productivity. During the session, I asked the audience, “Raise your hand if you use ChatGPT regularly.” Almost 90% of the room raised their hands—a testament to how quickly generative AI is becoming a part of our everyday lives.

Then I followed up with, “How many of you have set up Custom Instructions in ChatGPT?” This time, only a few hands went up, and I noticed some surprised expressions around the room.

This is a tip I love sharing because it’s simple, yet it can completely transform how you use ChatGPT. Custom Instructions allow you to tailor the tool specifically to your needs, even if you’re using the free version.

How to Set Up Custom Instructions

You can find the “Customize ChatGPT” setting in the menu bar when you click on your profile picture. Here you’ll find two prompts:

  1. What would you like ChatGPT to know about you to provide better responses?
    • This is your opportunity to train ChatGPT on who you are. You can upload your bio and provide a detailed description of your professional background, goals, and preferences. You can use it to give more context on your industry niche or personal projects to help ChatGPT to deliver more tailored and relevant responses.
  2. How would you like ChatGPT to respond?
    • This setting helps you influence the tone, structure, and level of detail you want in responses. Whether you prefer formal or conversational replies, highly detailed, or just the highlights, these settings ensure you get responses that suit your communication style. For example, one of my notes in this section reads: “When writing, keep the responses short and don’t use jargony words such as landscape, journey or Beacon. Don’t use hashtags ever.”

Why Custom Instructions Matter

Setting up these instructions will reduce the need for constant back-and-forth refining of ChatGPT’s responses. Instead of repeatedly explaining your preferences or context, ChatGPT will already know how to best assist you, saving you time and making interactions smoother. This simple step can significantly enhance your productivity and the quality of the insights you receive.

If you haven’t set up Custom Instructions yet, I highly recommend it—it’s a quick win that can make a world of difference in how you use ChatGPT.