The "Here's How" Roadmap Prompt

How to Teach, Build Trust, and Become the Guide

Roadmaps are everywhere on Substack and LinkedIn right now—and for good reason. They work.

But there’s a big difference between a link dump and a roadmap that resonates. The best roadmaps don’t just list links, they build trust. They’re not a flex about what the author achieved—they’re a signal of generosity: “I’ve walked this path, let me make it easier for you.”

That’s the Here’s How mindset. It’s the shift from “Look what I did” to “Here’s how you can do it too.” And it’s that shift—humble, practical, and generous—that turns a post into a go-to resource and the author into a guide people come back to.

So what separates forgettable lists from roadmaps that stick?

1. They shortcut the overwhelm

   Instead of sorting through a mess of resources, you get a curated path from someone who’s already figured out what works, and what doesn’t.

2. They carry built-in credibility

   “I became the GenAI expert at Microsoft—here’s how” carries a lot more weight than a generic playlist. It’s real, earned experience.

3. They build trust through generosity

   You’re not just saying look what I did—you’re saying here’s how you can do it too. Your journey becomes a shortcut for others.

4. They’re bookmark-worthy

   These posts stick. People save them, revisit them, and share them. They keep working long after you hit publish.

5. They make you the guide

   You don’t need to be the top expert. If you’re just a few steps ahead and willing to share, people will follow.

And if anyone nails this format again and again, it’s

Shivani Virdi

. Let’s unpack what makes her so effective, and how you can follow the same playbook.

Here’s the prompt: