How I Went From Me-Too Content to Authentic, Impactful Posts (With a Little Help From CustomGPT)
Steve ROI Brown
I help business leaders make decisions that make them more money. Cut through AI confusion. Grow confidently with AI-driven strategies. Author | Founder | Advisor.
I’ll admit it: When I first started using ChatGPT, I thought I’d struck gold. Out of the box, it was impressive. It drafted ideas, helped me brainstorm, and even gave me some decent post suggestions. But pretty quickly, I started to feel like something was missing.
The content was good, but it wasn’t me. It sounded like things anyone could say. Polished, yes—but generic. And for someone who’s been writing, strategizing, and helping brands build their voices for over a decade, that realization hit hard.
I wasn’t proud of the content I was creating. It didn’t represent my voice or my perspective. Worse, it felt like I was breaking my own rules. I’ve spent years preaching to clients about the importance of authentic, differentiated content—and there I was, posting stuff that sounded like it could have come from a thousand other accounts.
The Wake-Up Call
One day, I took a hard look at my X feed. I cringed. My posts weren’t bad—they just weren’t memorable. They weren’t saying anything new or uniquely mine. And the irony? I knew better. I’ve been the guy coaching brands to find their voice for years. But when it came to my own content, I was playing it safe, keeping it surface-level, and not doing the work I knew was necessary.
That’s when it hit me: I wasn’t showing up as myself.
The Argument: Why Me-Too Content Isn’t Enough
At first, I tried to fix the problem by tweaking my prompts. I’d tell ChatGPT, “Make it sound more personal,” or, “Add some humor.” It got closer, but it still didn’t feel right. The posts were fine on paper, but they didn’t have that spark—the thing that makes someone stop scrolling and think, Wow, that’s different.
This led to what I now call The Argument.
It was me versus ChatGPT, trying to bridge the gap between what it thought I wanted and what I actually needed. Here’s how it went:
Me: "This draft feels generic. It’s fine, but it’s not provocative enough. I want something that makes people think."
ChatGPT: "How about: 'Consistency is key to growing your audience. Start by posting twice a week.'"
Me: "No. That’s what everyone says. I don’t want to sound like everyone else."
ChatGPT: "Okay. Let’s try this: 'Want to grow your audience? Consistency is your secret weapon. Here’s how: Post twice a week, focus on value, and engage with your audience.'"
Me: "Closer, but it’s still not me. I want to add some humor—something unexpected."
ChatGPT: "Got it. How about this: 'Want to grow your audience? Post twice a week. And no, “Happy Friday” doesn’t count.'"
That one made me pause. "Okay," I thought. "That’s getting there." For the first time, it felt like something I’d actually say.
The Light Bulb Moment: Enter CustomGPT
That back-and-forth made me realize the problem wasn’t ChatGPT itself—it was that I hadn’t set it up to truly reflect me.
That’s when I started building my CustomGPT. Instead of relying on generic prompts and hoping for the best, I trained it on my knowledge base:
领英推荐
And here’s what changed: Suddenly, the GPT wasn’t just spitting out "pretty good" content. It was helping me articulate ideas I didn’t even know I had. It was challenging me, pushing me to clarify my thoughts, and helping me find the words to say what I really wanted to say.
The Transformation
Once I had my CustomGPT in place, everything clicked. But not without a few more arguments along the way.
Me: "I want to post about why creating content is hard, but I don’t want to sound whiny. Ideas?"
CustomGPT: "How about: 'Creating content is hard. It takes time, energy, and consistency—and most business owners already have enough on their plate.'"
Me: "Good start, but it’s too safe. Make it personal."
CustomGPT: "What about: 'For years, I told myself I was too busy to create content for my brand. The truth? I was scared of looking silly. Once I got over that, everything changed.'"
Me: "That’s it. That’s what I want to say."
For the first time, I wasn’t just posting to check a box. I was creating content I felt proud of—content that felt authentically me.
What Changed?
Here’s what I learned:
The Competitive Advantage
Here’s the kicker: Most of your competitors are stuck where I was—relying on surface-level content that anyone could write. They’re using AI, but they’re not using it strategically.
With a CustomGPT, you’re not just competing—you’re leading.
Ready to Transform Your Content?
If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated trying to create content that feels authentic, let me tell you: I’ve been there.
The solution isn’t more time or more tools—it’s a smarter system. A CustomGPT changed everything for me. It can do the same for you.
Click here to chat with me about how to build your CustomGPT—and start creating content that’s uniquely yours.