The "Mastery Levels" Prompt

How to Write Content People Save and Share for Months (Not Scroll Past Tomorrow)

There's an underutilized post template that makes people hit "save" before they even finish reading.

It's not another roadmap. It's not a "5 tips" post. It's something that makes complex topics instantly digestible while positioning you as the authority who actually understands the field.

The framework?

Breaking any discipline into progressive levels, from beginner to master. It's like creating a skill tree for your expertise, and readers can't resist finding where they fit.

Why it's crushing it? Because it gives everyone a win:

• Beginners see a clear path forward.

• Intermediates validate their progress.

• Experts nod along thinking "finally, someone who gets it."

And everyone saves it for later reference.
Here’s a prime example from

Zach Wilson

:

🧠 The Psychology Behind Levels

The Video Game Effect

We're wired to love progression systems.

Every RPG taught us this, seeing ourselves level up triggers dopamine. This template hijacks that same psychological reward system.

When readers see "Level 1" they immediately think: "Where am I on this journey?" They can't help but read through to find their current position.

It's self-assessment disguised as education.

The Dunning-Kruger Mirror

Most people either overestimate or underestimate their abilities.

This framework gives them an objective mirror. They realize "Oh, I'm actually Level 2, not Level 3" or "Wait, I know more than I thought."

This creates a powerful emotional response: relief mixed with motivation. Relief that they're further along than expected, or motivation to reach the next level.

Either way, they're hooked.

The Authority Positioning

Only someone who's mastered a field can break it down this cleanly.

By organizing chaos into clear levels, you demonstrate mastery without saying "I'm an expert."

The structure itself proves your expertise.

🧱 Anatomy of the Perfect Levels Post

Let's break down each level:

The Hook Formula

[The Field/Discipline] has levels to it:

This opening works because it:

• Feels like revealing a secret framework

• Promises a clear organization in a chaotic field

• Triggers self-assessment curiosity ("Am I Level 2 or 3?") that forces readers to continue

• Implies you've mastered all levels to map them out (instant authority without saying "I'm an expert")

The Level Structure

Each level needs:

• Memorable Name: Action verbs + domain goal: "Building AI Systems" not just "Beginner"

• One-Line Focus: The key shift that happens at this level, what distinguishes this level from others

• 3-4 Specific Skills/ Tools: Readers should know exactly what to Google/learn

• Outcome Statement: What achieving this level enables

The Progression Arc

Your levels should show clear evolution:

• Level 1: Foundation/Using

• Level 2: Building/Integrating

• Level 3: Optimizing/Engineering

• Level 4: Mastering/Leading

Each level should feel like a natural progression, not arbitrary divisions.

The Engagement Trigger

End with questions to make people want to flex their knowledge":

What else would you add? 
OR 
What does Level 5 look like to you?
OR
What's the hidden Level 3.5 that most people miss?

🪜 Step-by-Step Implementation Guide

Step 1: Choose Your Domain
(30 seconds)

Pick a technical field where progression is visible and painful. The best domains have:

• Clear tool evolution: From GUI to CLI to building from scratch

• Certification confusion: Where everyone claims expertise but few deliver

• Visible skill gaps: Where juniors and seniors use completely different approaches

Step 2: Map the Journey
(3 minutes)

Ask yourself these progression questions:

• What separates a beginner from someone who's competent?

• What skills unlock new capability levels?

• What mindset shifts happen at each level?

Step 3: Name Your Levels
(1 minute)

Create memorable, specific names using the framework detailed in 🎚️ The Level Structure

• For AI: Using → Integrating → Engineering → Optimizing

• For Data Engineering: Querying → Processing → Orchestrating → Platforming Data

• For Security: Following Protocols → Hardening Systems → Hunting Threats → Architecting Defense

• For Machine Learning: Training Models → Tuning Performance → Engineering Pipelines → Architecting ML Systems

Step 4: Detail Core Competencies
(3 minutes)

For each level, list 3-4 specific skills that match the progression in 🎚️ The Level Structure:

• Practical applications

• Technical skills/tools

• Conceptual understanding

• Industry-specific knowledge

Step 5: Craft Outcome Statements
(1 minute)

Write one powerful sentence per level showing what mastery enables (follow ⭕ The Progression Arc):

• Level 1: "You can solve real problems"

• Level 2: "You're building production systems"

• Level 3: "You're architecting at scale"

• Level 4: "You're pushing the industry forward"

Step 6: Step 6: Add Specificity
(3 minutes)

Go back and add:

• Metrics or benchmarks

• Real-world applications

• Tool names (Pinecone, FAISS, Weaviate, etc.)

• Specific techniques (zero-shot, few-shot, chain-of-thought)

Step 7: Write Your Engagement Question
(1 minute)

End with an open question that invites expertise, using 💭 The Engagement Trigger:

• "What would you add to Level 3?"

• "What does mastery look like in your experience?"

• "Which level are you working toward?"

🔄 Advanced Variations

Variation 1: The Reverse Levels

Start with Level 5 (mastery) and work backwards. Creates aspiration and shows the full journey from the end.

Variation 2: The "Most People Stop Here" Framework

Add commentary about where most people plateau:

Level 2: Where 80% of practitioners stop (and why that's leaving money on the table)

Variation 3: The Timeline Levels

Add timeframes to creates realistic expectations and validates reader's journey time.

"Level 1: Using AI (0-6 months)"
"Level 2: Integrating AI (6-18 months)"
etc.

Variation 4: The Industry-Specific Levels

Then customize skills for that industry's unique needs:

AI Engineering has levels to it (FinTech edition):

🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: The Gatekeeper Trap

Don't make Level 1 so hard that beginners feel excluded. Your first level should feel achievable to someone starting today.

Mistake 2: The Jargon Overload

Balance technical terms with explanations. You want to educate, not intimidate. Each level should be understandable to someone at the previous level.

Mistake 3: The Missing Middle

Don't jump from basics to expert. The middle levels are where most readers live - give them clear next steps.

Mistake 4: The Humble Brag

Avoid positioning yourself explicitly at Level 5. Let readers assume your level from your ability to break down the field.

Mistake 5: The Static Framework

Present this as one perspective, not the only way. Invite improvements and alternatives in your CTA.

📋 The Actual Prompt: