Level 1
Ask it well
Role, task, output, and the format pinned — a first draft you can use.
Done when: Three scored prompts at 70 or better across three areas.
Your assistant
The steps work in any of these. Pick yours and each lesson shows where the setting lives.
Next in this level
Reply to an upset customer
What closes it
- Hard reply scored 70+ (not yet)
- Cold outreach scored 70+ (not yet)
- Safe to upload scored 70+ (not yet)
Lessons, in order
Level 1 skill · Interview
Interview me first
Before a bigger job or a decision, it asks you the questions you would skip.
Where to save it
- Claude. Upload the skill folder as a skill, or paste the text into a Project's instructions. In Claude Code, put the folder in your skills folder.
- ChatGPT. Paste the text into a Project's instructions or a custom GPT's instructions, or into your custom instructions.
- Gemini. Paste the text into a Gem's instructions.
- Copilot. Paste the text into a Notebook's instructions, or keep it in a file you attach when you need it.
- Any other assistant. Keep the file. Paste it at the start of a chat, then say which job you are on.
Then run it on one real job and change the wording until it sounds like you.
Licence and credit
This skill is adapted from the grilling skill in an open source set at github.com/mattpocock/skills ↗. The wording and examples are rewritten for a small business. The original licence travels with it. Every download carries NOTICE.md, and the copied text ends with a credit line.
MIT License Copyright (c) 2026 Matt Pocock Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions: The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software. THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
One skill for each level from 1 to 6. See the whole kit
Class weeks 5, 6, 7, 8 feed this level · The long version: Prompting ↗
Practice it in your work
Every work area is Level 1 practice: the same moves, on email, sales, money, hiring and the rest. The three scored prompts above close the level; the areas are where it becomes habit.
1Customer & client communication2 free · 4 Pro›
The messages that keep customers — drafted in seconds, taught so you can do them anywhere.
2Everyday writing2 free · 4 Pro›
Turn rough thinking into clean, on-tone writing — fast.
3Sales2 free · 4 Pro›
From first touch to signed — the moves that move deals.
4Marketing & content2 free · 4 Pro›
Make one idea travel — across posts, emails, and pages.
5Meetings2 free · 4 Pro›
6Planning & prioritization2 free · 4 Pro›
7Data & analysis2 free · 4 Pro›
8Hiring & people2 free · 4 Pro›
9Finance & admin2 free · 4 Pro›
10Research & decisions2 free · 4 Pro›
11Automation & workflows2 free · 4 Pro›
Set it once, let it run — and know when it breaks.
12AI fluency (the technique ladder)3 free · 5 Pro›
The skill that runs through everything: the six-part skeleton, practiced to reflex.
13Win & keep customers2 free · 4 Pro›
Catch the lead, earn the review, get found — where the money actually leaks.
14In the field2 free · 4 Pro›
Photo, voice, plain talk, two languages — AI for hands-busy, real-world work.
15Listen to your customers & market2 free · 4 Pro›
Turn a pile of reviews, feedback, and messages into what to actually do next.
16Make the picture2 free · 4 Pro›
Product shots, logos, before-and-afters, ads — write the image prompt, run it in any tool.
17Make a simple thing2 free · 4 Pro›
A one-page site, a form, a calculator — built by AI, no code, yours to publish free.
18Community & causes2 free · 4 Pro›
Grants, donors, volunteers, members — AI for mission-driven work.
19Teaching & training2 free · 4 Pro›
Lesson plans, feedback, parent notes, quizzes — AI for anyone who teaches.
20Selling online2 free · 4 Pro›
Listings, keywords, ads, pricing — get found and sell more.