FAQs
🤔 What is Shelpful?
Shelpful is an “accountability buddy” service that helps you stick to any goal or habit that is important to you – health, fitness, career – you name it. You get a dedicated “Shelper” and you text with them to work through any roadblocks, create habits and ultimately meet your goals. They’ll also send helpful nudges to make sure you stay on track and celebrate with you when you accomplish what you said you’d do! It’s all about the tiny wins at Shelpful.
🤖 What is HabitGPT?
HabitGPT is our name for the Shelpful Artificial Intelligent buddy that you can chat with to help you stick to your habits and tasks. Powered by the same technology as ChatGPT, HabitGPT allows you to chat with it conveniently through WhatsApp to get support on your routines and goals. Want to learn to code? Want to exercise for 10 minutes daily? HabitGPT is here to help. Eventually, we plan to combine HabitGPT with the amazing real-human accountability coaches from our core services at shelpful.com. For now, we’d love to see how HabitGPT can help you stay on top of your sh*t. HabitGPT chats with you via WhatsApp.
💁♀️ Who do I message with when I use Shelpful? What’s a “Shelper”?
You can choose between an A.I. Task Manager (named HabitGPT) or a human coach or BOTH.
If you choose one of our options that includes a human coach — that’s a “Shelper” — this is a REAL person who texts with you to keep you on track — sticking to a plan is hard without someone to call you out / help you out. We find people all over the country who are super empathetic and skilled listeners and note-takers. They LOVE this gig. It makes them feel so warm and fuzzy to support you. At this time, all our Shelpers are based in the U.S.
Can I add a human to my AI chat?
YES! You just need to subscribe to one of our hybrid options: For members who subscribe to the real-human accountability coaching, they get HabitGPT, plus their human accountability coach (called a Shelper) in a group chat. They meet their coach over Zoom to sync on goals, and start immediately with HabitGPT, which is on call 24/7 to keep them on track. Their Shelper pops into the chat every 1-2 days, checks out how they are doing on their goals, reflects back on their progress, cheers them on for small wins, and calls them out lovingly when they need it. They’ll help them strategize on a routine or habit that isn’t sticking. This option adds a layer of warmth and accountability that you can’t quite get from AI alone.
How do I use HabitGPT on WhatsApp?
To use HabitGPT, you will need a WhatsApp account. WhatsApp is a free messaging app available for iPhone and Android devices. Simply download it from your app store and set it up in just a minute. WhatsApp offers more features than traditional text messaging, and can be used internationally!
How do I sign up for HabitGPT?
To sign up for HabitGPT, you’ll start by signing up for our free trial. In our very short sign-up form, you’ll have the opportunity to tell us about the key areas you want support and encouragement with. This helps us customize HabitGPT's suggestions and reminders to align with your goals and preferences.
What can I use HabitGPT for?
We’ve trained this AI assistant specifically to help you get sh*t done. When you sign up, you will share the core habits or routines you’d like to do daily, and that’s what HabitGPT will focus on pinging you about.
You can also share your to-dos with HabitGPT and ask it to keep the list fresh for you “add pay the dental bill to my list”. Ask for one-off reminders at any time “remind me to dial into the call in 10 minutes”
BUT, if you need to ask for extras like an easy muffin recipe or breathing exercises, we’ve got you covered there too.
Why does this work?
If you can have all your habits and tasks in one place, it can bring you some peace!
How can I give feedback?
You can type “/human” in front of a message in your chat and the human HQ team will be alerted to that message and can either log the feedback, or get in touch with you via email to help.
🏷 How much does Shelpful cost?
Shelpful has a few different membership options. Check out prices here — we often have discounts and giveaways depending on the month so ask us! ALSO, anyone can do a free trial for a few days.
💬 Is there a limit to how much I can text you?
We’re here for you and we TRULY care that you’re meeting your goals and sticking with those habits that are important to you. The service is extremely flexible, however our beloved Shelpers are human (what makes this so magical!) so during the weekends and early mornings/late nights, we are quieter and only do occasional check ins, but you can send as much as you want during that time and your Shelper will get back to you when back online. Shelpers work flexibly from their phones Monday - Friday and on average get back to you quickly. Response times can range from immediate to a little over an hour.
💲 Do text messages cost money?
We don’t charge you for texts, but your carrier might. These days, most carriers offer unlimited texting as a standard feature. See the full SMS notices here: shelpful.com/sms
If this is an issue for you, please write us at hi@shelpful.com. It’s possible we can message with you another way.
How’d you come up with the name “shelpful”
Simple answer: Because it’s Super + Helpful.
True answer: When one of the founders (sharon) first had the idea for this service, she felt like she needed to create it immediately. She was making a quick website and wanted to grab a simple URL. It was around midnight when she combined the first letters of her name (Sh) with the epitome of this service (helpful). We tossed the website live and ended up getting members signed up so quickly, we didn’t have much time to overthink it 😉. It’s kinda growing on us! Do you have any other name ideas? Let’s hear ‘em.
🔘 What is Shelpful Groups?
It’s a way to stay motivated by group-texting with other members + an all star Shelper. Learn more at shelpful.com/groups
📍Where are you headquartered?
Our founding team lives in Portland, OR (yes, we watch Portlandia, and yes…. it’s sometimes pretty accurate), but the team is virtual and can work anywhere throughout the U.S. Want to be a Shelper? Submit your info at shelpful.com/team — interested in working in another type of role? Email us at hi [at] shelpful.com
📱 Is there a Shelpful app?
We felt like we have TOO many apps. Anyone else? Our members really like that our service uses text message because they can’t ignore it. The big thing Shelpful helps solve is that it’s way too easy to silence those alarm bells telling us to take care of ourselves.
We do have plans to make an app, but we’d want to maintain that goodness of getting a message on SMS or WhatsApp has in terms of accountability. It’s harder to hide from a text message!
👫 Does Shelpful have a referral program?
Of course we do! (this is how many of our members have found us!) When your friend signs up for a membership, they’ll get $5 off and you’ll get $5 cash (via Venmo or Amazon gift card)
🗺 In what countries is Shelpful available?
Our A.I. powered services are available internationally — in any country that you can message with a business on WhatsApp. Our human-only service is currently only available in the United States. We look forward to expanding. Let us know if you want us to come to you: Request Your Country
🙋♀️ How do I apply to be a Shelper?
If you think you’d be a great Shelper, we want to talk with you! get in touch
What happens after I sign up for HabitGPT?
After signing up, HabitGPT will send you a message on WhatsApp to kick off your chat. This is where you'll receive regular check-ins, reminders, and support. HabitGPT will be there to help you stay on track and provide assistance whenever you need it.
Can I receive reminders and check-ins from HabitGPT on WhatsApp?
Absolutely! Once you've initiated the chat with HabitGPT on WhatsApp, you'll start receiving personalized reminders, check-ins, and prompts to help you stay committed to your habits and tasks. It's like having a virtual productivity assistant right in your pocket!
How can I ask for help or assistance from HabitGPT?
HabitGPT is always ready to assist you. Simply chat with it on WhatsApp and ask for help whenever you need it. Whether you have a specific question or require guidance, HabitGPT will provide the support and encouragement you need to stay motivated and achieve your goals.
What types of habits / tasks can HabitGPT help with?
HabitGPT is versatile and can be tailored to various areas of your life. Whether you want to focus on health and fitness, personal development, organization, or any other habit or task, HabitGPT can provide the reminders and support you need to make progress.
Can HabitGPT suggest activities or resources to help me with my habits?
Yes, it can! When you sign up for HabitGPT, you can share your goals and areas of interest. HabitGPT will use its AI-powered technology to suggest relevant activities, resources, or starting points for you to explore. It helps you discover new ideas and opportunities to enhance your habit-building journey.
Can I change up my plan?
Can I customize the reminders and frequency of check-ins from HabitGPT? Absolutely! HabitGPT allows you to adjust the reminders and frequency based on your preferences. You have the flexibility to set the timing and frequency of check-ins to align with your schedule and habit-building needs. Check out this cheat sheet to see how to ask your AI to change them: shelpful.com/cheat
Is there a support system in place if I face challenges with my habits?
Yes, there is! If you encounter challenges or obstacles, HabitGPT is here to help. It can provide strategies, tips, and guidance to overcome difficulties and stay on track. Additionally, as a member, you have the opportunity to join habit coaching sessions with real-human habit coaches for personalized support. Check those out at shelpful.com/habitgpt-help.
How can I provide feedback or suggest new features for HabitGPT?
We really want your feedback and suggestions! You can share any feedback by using the “/human” command in your chat, telling your Shelper (if you have one), or you can submit your feedback, feature requests, or ideas for improvement at shelpful.com/habitgpt-help. Your input helps us shape and enhance the HabitGPT experience based on your needs and preferences.
Does HabitGPT keep track of my progress and achievements?
HabitGPT doesn't currently keep a long-term tracker for you, but it acknowledges and celebrates your accomplishments along the way. When you complete tasks or reach milestones, HabitGPT will provide praise and recognition, keeping you motivated and encouraged.
What languages are supported?
Currently it’s optimized for English language, but because we run on the best AI tech, you can talk to it in your chosen language and it’ll likely respond to you! If you are wanting to chat with HabitGPT in a specific language, reach out to us at hi at shelpful.com or by using the command “/human” in your chat, and we can help optimize your settings to make it a bit more likely that you’ll have most messages going in your language of choice.
BONUS: if you are an English speaker learning another language, we have had HabitGPT users practice phrases in Japanese, Chinese, Spanish so far, and it’s been great.