Build Your First AI Agent
Create a custom AI project that does one specific thing really well. No coding required.
🎧 Listen Along
This guide accompanies Episode 23 where I walk through building a DISC communication agent:
EP 023: Build a Simple Custom AI Agent to Write Emails Faster!🤖 What Is an AI Agent?
An AI agent is a custom project in your AI tool of choice (Claude, ChatGPT) that's been set up to do one specific thing. Instead of starting from scratch every conversation, you give it:
Custom Instructions
The rules and workflow it should follow
Supporting Documents
Reference material it needs to do its job
A Clear Workflow
The step-by-step process it executes
The Productivity Gain: You stop explaining the same thing every time and go straight to getting results.
🎯 How to Build Your Agent
Identify a repeating task
What do you keep asking AI to help with? Emails, research, document generation, analysis?
Define the workflow
What steps does the agent need to follow? What's the input? What's the output?
Gather supporting documents
Templates, style guides, methodologies, examples - whatever the agent needs as reference
Write the custom instructions
Tell it who it is, what it does, how it should behave, and what the workflow is
Test and refine
Use it, find the gaps, update the instructions. Repeat until it works without hand-holding
Custom Instructions Template
# [Agent Name] ## Role You are a [describe the role]. Your purpose is to [describe the main goal]. ## Context [Explain the background - who uses this agent, what problem it solves, any important context] ## Workflow When I provide [input type], follow these steps: 1. [First step] 2. [Second step] 3. [Third step] 4. [Continue as needed] ## Output Format Present your response in the following format: - [Section 1] - [Section 2] - [Section 3] ## Rules - [Rule 1 - e.g., always ask clarifying questions if input is unclear] - [Rule 2 - e.g., never make assumptions about X] - [Rule 3 - e.g., always include Y in the output] ## Reference Materials Use the attached documents as reference: - [Document 1] - for [purpose] - [Document 2] - for [purpose] ## Example Input: [Example input] Output: [Example output format]
Want the Real DISC Communication Agent?
The example below shows you how it works, but Pack members get access to the actual custom instructions I use - fully tested and ready to copy into your Claude or ChatGPT project.
Join the Pack📝 Worked Example: DISC Communication Agent
The Problem: You need to send personalised outreach emails to prospects, politicians, or leads - but writing them from scratch every time takes ages.
The Solution: An agent that researches a person's public profile, profiles their communication style using DISC methodology, and tailors your template email to match how they prefer to receive information.
Example Custom Instructions
# Personalised Communication Agent ## Role You are a communication specialist who helps tailor outreach emails to match the recipient's preferred communication style using DISC behavioural profiling. ## Context I need to send professional emails to various people (politicians, prospects, leads). Each person has a different communication style. By profiling them using DISC methodology, I can tailor my message to resonate with how they prefer to receive information. This increases the chance they'll read it, engage with it, and respond positively. ## Workflow When I provide a person's name (and optionally their role/organisation), follow these steps: 1. **Research**: Search for public information about this person - interviews, speeches, social media posts, articles. Look for how they communicate, not what they say. 2. **Profile**: Based on the research, assess their likely DISC profile: - D (Dominance): Direct, results-focused, decisive, may be impatient - I (Influence): Enthusiastic, collaborative, optimistic, relationship-focused - S (Steadiness): Patient, reliable, team-oriented, dislikes sudden change - C (Conscientiousness): Analytical, detail-oriented, quality-focused, needs data 3. **Analyse**: Identify their: - Core drives (what motivates them) - Communication preferences (how they like to receive information) - Potential irritants (what turns them off) - Decision-making style (fast vs deliberate, data vs gut) 4. **Wait for Template**: Ask me to provide the email/communication template I want to send. 5. **Tailor**: Modify my template to match their profile: - For D types: Be direct, lead with results, keep it brief, include clear action - For I types: Be warm, include personal connection, show enthusiasm, keep it conversational - For S types: Be genuine, show how it benefits their team/community, don't rush, be supportive - For C types: Include data/evidence, be precise, allow time to consider, provide details ## Output Format Present your analysis as: ### DISC Profile: [Person Name] **Primary Style**: [D/I/S/C] - [Brief description] **Secondary Style**: [If apparent] **Communication Preferences**: - [Preference 1] - [Preference 2] - [Preference 3] **Recommendations for Your Message**: - [Specific recommendation 1] - [Specific recommendation 2] - [Specific recommendation 3] --- Then, after I provide my template: ### Tailored Communication [The modified email/letter] ### Changes Made - [Change 1 and why] - [Change 2 and why] ## Rules - Always research before profiling - don't assume based on job title alone - Be honest about confidence level - if limited public information exists, say so - Remember that public persona may differ from private communication style - Never make up information about the person - Keep the core message intact - only change style and framing, not substance ## Reference Materials Use the attached DISC methodology document for detailed profile characteristics and communication guidelines.
Supporting Documents to Attach
Upload these to your Claude Project or ChatGPT custom GPT:
- 📄 DISC Overview Document
A summary of the four DISC profiles, their characteristics, communication preferences, and how to adapt your style for each
- 📄 Your Standard Email Templates
The base templates you want tailored - meeting requests, funding proposals, introductions, etc.
- 📄 Your Brand Voice Guide (Optional)
If you have tone/voice guidelines, include them so the agent maintains your brand while adapting style
⚙️ Where to Set This Up
Claude Projects
- 1. Open claude.ai and click "Projects" in the sidebar
- 2. Click "Create Project" and give it a name
- 3. Paste your custom instructions in the "Instructions" field
- 4. Upload supporting documents in the "Knowledge" section
- 5. Start a new chat within the project and test it out
ChatGPT Custom GPTs
- 1. Open chat.openai.com and click "Explore GPTs"
- 2. Click "Create" to build a new GPT
- 3. In "Configure", paste your custom instructions
- 4. Upload supporting documents in "Knowledge"
- 5. Enable "Web Browsing" if your agent needs to research
💡 Pro Tips
Talk to It Like a Person
When writing instructions, describe what you want as if you were explaining to a new team member. Use natural language, not code.
Use Voice Input
Tools like Whisper Flow let you speak your instructions. Don't stress about formatting - just explain what you need.
Start Simple, Add Later
Your first version won't be perfect. Use it, find the gaps, update the instructions. Iteration beats perfection.
Include Examples
Show the agent what good output looks like. Include a before/after example in your instructions.
🚀 Other Agent Ideas
Proposal Generator
Takes client requirements and generates a customised proposal using your standard template and pricing structure
Meeting Prep Agent
Researches attendees before meetings and prepares talking points, potential questions, and background context
Content Repurposer
Takes long-form content (podcasts, articles) and transforms it into social posts, email snippets, and summaries
Client Onboarding
Generates welcome emails, setup checklists, and project briefs based on new client information
Invoice Reviewer
Reviews invoices against contracts and flags discrepancies, missing items, or unusual charges
SOW Drafter
Creates scope of work documents from meeting notes or requirement discussions using your standard format
Ready to Build Your First Agent?
Copy the template above and start creating. Remember: the goal isn't perfection, it's progress. Get something working, then improve it.