Developing GPTs is a vital skill for marketers aiming to leverage AI effectively. GPTs are customized versions of ChatGPT, tailored for specific tasks or topics by integrating specialized instructions, knowledge, and capabilities. This tutorial will teach you essential skills for building GPTs, guiding you step-by-step in transforming a simple prompt into a powerful tool for innovating a product, service, or event. We’ll build a GPT to associate or combine a product, service, or event with one or two additional nouns to enhance its impact within the marketing mix.
At the end of the tutorial, there is an example of how The Art Institute of Chicago and Leo Burnett innovated an exhibition dedicated to Vincent van Gogh’s bedroom paintings with the noun “Airbnb.” With the new advertising concept, online ticket sales increased by 250%, and the exhibit enjoyed the highest attendance of any exhibition at the Art Institute in fifteen years. Van Gogh BnB was covered in more than one hundred countries, garnering 623 million earned media impressions.
To complete this tutorial, you’ll need to be a ChatGPT Plus subscriber.
Tutorial
We’ll start by using a prompt from “How Generative AI Can Augment Human Creativity,” authored by Tojin T. Eapen, Daniel J. Finkenstadt, Josh Folk, and Lokesh Venkataswamy in the Harvard Business Review. Copy and paste the prompt into ChatGPT to try it out.
ChatGPT 4 Prompt: Generate a Business Idea
You will play the role of an ideator. You will randomly generate 10 common nouns. You will then randomly select any two of the 10 nouns. You will then ask me for a third noun. You will generate a business idea by combining or associating the two nouns you identified and the noun I identified.
This prompt generates a business idea by combining your chosen noun with two additional nouns randomly selected by ChatGPT. We will take this prompt and evolve it into a GPT that helps you innovate a specific product or service.
Structuring the Prompt
The first thing we’ll do is structure the prompt from the article into the [ROLE] we want the GPT to play, the [TASK] we want it to perform, and the [STEPS] needed to complete the task. Structured prompts are easier to adapt into something more practical like a GPT to innovate a product or service in the marketing mix.
Structured Prompt
[ROLE] You will play the role of an ideator. [/ROLE]
[TASK] You will generate a business idea by associating nouns. [/TASK]
[STEPS]
1. You will generate 10 common nouns.
2. You will then randomly select any two of the 10 nouns.
3. You will then ask me for a third noun.
4. You will generate a product idea by combining or associating the two nouns you identified and the noun I identified.
[/STEPS]
As you explore structured prompts, you’ll encounter various approaches. Generally, they fall into three categories: task-based, context-based, and content-based instructions.
- Task-based instructions: What we want the AI to do (e.g., “[TASK]” and “[STEPS]” in our example).
- Context-based instructions: The ‘why’ and ‘how’ behind what we want the AI to do (e.g., “[ROLE]” in our example).
- Content-based instructions: Supplying the AI with the raw materials it needs to complete the task.
Task-Based |
[TASK] |
[STEPS] |
[PROCESS] |
[FORMAT] |
Context-Based |
[ROLE] |
[AUDIENCE] |
[GOAL] |
[INTENT] |
[STYLE] |
[CONSTRAINTS] |
[DEFINITIONS] |
Content-Based |
[TOPIC] |
[CATEGORIES] |
[EXAMPLES] |
GPT Attachments |
The GPT Interface
The “Explore GPTs” link is on the left side of ChatGPT. Once in the GPTs section, click “Create” at the top right to start building the GPT.
We’ll be working in the “Configure” tab of the GPT:
GPT Interface
We’ll name the GPT “Innovate a Product, Service or Event” and use the description field to ask the user to provide a product or service in the message field that is part of all GPTs.
Updating the Prompt
Before updating “Instructions” in the GPT interface, we need to revise the structured prompt above. These changes will allow the user to have control over the selection of nouns to be combined with the product or service. We will also create a concept drawing of the updated product or service.
Updated Structured Prompt
[ROLE] You will play the role of an ideator. [/ROLE]
[TASK]
You will innovate a product, service, or event by combining or associating it with one or two nouns.
[/TASK]
[STEPS]
1. After the user provides a product, service, or event, say, “Please provide one or two nouns to innovate the [product, service, or event].” (in bold) then wait for the user to respond.
2. After the user has provided one or two nouns, think deeply about how the product, service, or event can be combined with the nouns to generate a new idea.
3. Say: “Parameters:” (in bold)
4. Using bullet points, list the [product, service, or event] and the one or two selected nouns.
5. Say: “New Concept:” (in bold)
6. Based on your thinking in step 2, generate a new idea by combining or associating the product, service, or event with the nouns provided by the user.
7. Say: “How you like to improve this new concept? If you’re happy with it, I’ll generate a concept drawing.” (in bold), then wait for the user to respond.
8. Use DALL·E Image Generation to generate at 16:9 image of the reimagined product, service, or event.
[/STEPS]
[STYLE]
– Add a horizontal line between sections.
– Whenever you see [product, service, or event], insert the user’s product, service, or event.
– Provide the user with at least three paragraphs of text for the new concept.
– Provide the user with at least 500 words of text for the new concept.
– Do not use bullet points to describe the new concept.
[/STYLE]
All we need to do is paste this structured prompt into “Instructions” in the GPT interface and “Save” the GPT.
Additional Tips
Once the GPT is operational, we’ll need to test it to ensure the AI is performing the instructions correctly. If the GPT produces unintended output, we need to refine it by improving the instructions for more precise guidance.
You can publish GPTs for personal use, to a private group via a link, or in the GPT Marketplace. As a team or enterprise user, you can share GPTs internally within your organization while keeping your data secure from the model.
With this introduction to structured prompting, don’t forget to visit OpenAI’s “Key Guidelines for Writing Instructions for Custom GPTs.”
Van Gogh BnB
Event: Exhibit of Vincent van Gogh’s bedroom paintings
Noun: Airbnb
New concept:
Imagine turning Van Gogh’s iconic “Bedroom in Arles” painting into an immersive experience at the Art Institute of Chicago, combined with the Airbnb platform. The concept transforms the traditional exhibition of Van Gogh’s bedroom paintings into a fully immersive, interactive experience where visitors not only view the artwork but can also “live” inside a physical replica of the bedroom for a night or two, as an Airbnb offering. This blending of art and modern hospitality invites people to book stays within an accurate recreation of the famous bedroom, located either in the museum itself or nearby. Guests would be surrounded by digital and physical recreations of Van Gogh’s surroundings, allowing them to experience the intimate space in which the artist once found inspiration.
The exhibition would be divided into two parts: one traditional, displaying Van Gogh’s paintings with background information and interactive digital elements about his life, work, and bedroom’s significance. The second part would offer an actual room rental through Airbnb, where visitors could sleep in a life-size, 3D replica of Van Gogh’s room, designed with incredible detail to replicate the atmosphere of the painting. The room would have the same bright colors and minimalist furnishings as depicted in the painting, with walls, furniture, and bedding all imitating the original. As guests settle in for the night, the experience would be enhanced by light and sound installations that simulate what Van Gogh might have seen and heard in his time, like the sound of wind or views of starry nights through the windows.
The collaboration with Airbnb allows the museum to attract both art lovers and experiential travelers looking for something truly unique. Additionally, the overnight stays would be limited to select dates, adding exclusivity to the experience and generating additional revenue for the museum. Airbnb could also host online booking options for the experience, with marketing campaigns tied to “living in Van Gogh’s art.” The proceeds from these stays could help fund the museum’s educational programs or future art exhibits.
AI’s chain of thought:
Airbnb: The connection to Airbnb sparked the idea of making the exhibition more than a traditional art display—by making it an experience that people could inhabit and live in. Airbnb is known for creating unique, experiential stays, and combining this with Van Gogh’s bedroom paintings offers a new dimension to both the art and the travel experience. Rather than merely viewing Van Gogh’s bedroom through a frame, the visitor can now step into that world and live as if they were in the artist’s surroundings.
Would you like to update the new concept based on the AI’s chain of thought?
No
Discussion between an innovator and potential funder:
Innovator:
Our idea is to create an immersive Van Gogh exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago, incorporating Airbnb to offer visitors a chance to stay in a life-size replica of his famous “Bedroom in Arles.” Imagine not just viewing the artwork, but living in it! Guests will book the bedroom through Airbnb, spending the night surrounded by a meticulously crafted recreation of the space. This combines art, travel, and experience in a unique way, drawing more attention to both the museum and the works of Van Gogh.
Funder:
It’s definitely an innovative concept, merging hospitality with art. But what about the logistics? How would you maintain the balance between keeping the exhibit accessible to visitors while also offering the room as an Airbnb experience? The museum still needs to cater to the general public, right?
Innovator:
Great point! The idea would be to offer the room for overnight stays during the evenings, while keeping it open for tours during the day. The exhibit would be scheduled so that guests staying overnight could have their experience without disrupting regular museum hours. This gives both regular visitors and Airbnb guests a chance to engage with the space in different ways. The exclusivity of overnight stays would be limited to select dates or weekends to maintain the balance.
Funder:
That sounds promising, but I’m concerned about cost. Replicating Van Gogh’s bedroom in full detail and maintaining the space as an Airbnb might be expensive. How would you keep this financially viable for the museum and also affordable for guests?
Innovator:
The project would be partially funded by the unique experiences Airbnb typically markets. Since we’re blending art and experience, we could position it as a premium, once-in-a-lifetime stay, which would justify higher booking fees. The proceeds from these stays could be used to cover the costs of maintaining the replica room. Additionally, we could explore sponsorships or collaborations with brands that value art and culture. The museum would also benefit from increased foot traffic, media attention, and ticket sales due to the novelty of the exhibit.
Funder:
I like the premium angle, especially with the exclusivity of stays. But do you think there’s a market for this? People might hesitate to spend on such an experience if it’s too costly or niche. Who would your target audience be?
Innovator:
We’d target a blend of audiences: art lovers, of course, but also those who value unique travel experiences. There’s a growing trend in experiential tourism, where people pay for more than just a hotel stay—they want a story to tell. Airbnb’s existing clientele includes people looking for out-of-the-box stays, and Van Gogh’s name is globally recognizable. With the right marketing strategy, we can reach tourists visiting Chicago, art enthusiasts, and even influencers or content creators looking for a memorable experience.
Would you like to update the new concept based on the discussion?
No
Would you like a concept drawing?
Yes
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