🧢 The 3-layer prompt system

This is an engineered a system that multiplies one piece of writing across all of them - using AI prompts that deconstruct what works, swipe files that validate ideas before publishing, and a 3-layer methodology that turns research into building blocks instead of finished drafts.

This guide breaks down his workflow: how to build your swipe file, engineer custom prompts, and turn one newsletter into YouTube videos, daily tweets, LinkedIn posts, and Instagram Reels without sacrificing your voice.


Step 1: Build Swipe File

Save 50+ high-performing posts to study structure and ideas.

How:

  1. Find 5-10 content pieces (posts/articles/books/videos) in your niche
  2. Save the best pieces across different structures:
    • Single sentences
    • Lists
    • Transformation arcs
    • Question hooks
    • Counterintuitive statements

Two practice drills:

  1. Structural exchange: Take a post structure, swap the topic.

“Do X more. Do X for no reason. Do X to solve problems.”

Replace X with walks, reading, or coding. Same structure, new post. 2. Idea exchange: Take one idea, swap the structure.
“Go on more walks” as a list → Rewrite as a single sentence.


Step 2: The 3-Layer Prompt System

Reference the prompts as you work through the steps below.

Layer 1: Breakdown

Find 3 posts you want to replicate. Run each through this prompt:

Break down the structure of this post so that I can recreate it from scratch. Break down why it works, the psychological patterns involved, what context is needed from me, and anything else I would need to understand how to recreate it.

[Paste post]

Example:

Break down the structure of this post so that I can recreate it from scratch. Break down why it works, the psychological patterns involved, what context is needed from me, and anything else I would need to understand how to recreate it:
  
How to know you are doing something meaningful:

You feel like you don't make any progress for weeks, months, or years.

Then, the growth hits you all at once.

When you create your own path, results aren't predictable, and that keeps many people from sticking with it.

Repeat this exercise a few times.

Layer 2: Synthesis

Combine all of these breakdowns into a single comprehensive guide.

Layer 3: Meta-Prompt

Give it to the “Prompt Generator” meta-prompt.

  • Your guide from Layer 2
  • Instructions for what you want (e.g., “Create a tweet writing prompt that interviews me, then generates 9 variations”)

Example instructions:

I want to create a prompt that helps me ideate social media posts based on the guide for writing posts below.

Structure this prompt in 2 phases:
Phase 1 - context gathering:
* Interview me for the ideas that I want to write about

Phase 2 - post writing:
* write 3 variations of each type of post using the ideas that I gave you

Here's the additional context:

It returns a custom prompt that asks you questions, then writes content in your voice.

Example workflow:

  • Breakdown 3 tweets → Synthesise → Feed into Prompt Generator → Get custom Tweet Writing Prompt
  • Use this same process to create YouTube Title Generator, Deep Post Ideas prompt, and Content Ideas Generator.

Step 3: Newsletter-First Workflow

Process:

  1. Pick a validated topic: Top-performing tweet OR high-view YouTube video in your niche
  2. Find 3–6 hours of YouTube content on the topic
    Paste URLs into Gemini 2.5:
Summarise the key points from this video related to [your topic]
  1. Cross-reference past writing:
    Ask Claude:
What are the similarities between [summary] and [past newsletter]? What am I missing?
  1. Write the newsletter yourself (use summaries as reference)
  2. Record YouTube video: Newsletter = script. Read it on camera.
  3. Daily routine: 2 hours. Write one newsletter section + 3 social posts. Schedule.

Step 4: Turn Newsletter Into Everything Else

Paste newsletter with **Deep Post Ideas prompt**.

The prompt outputs:

  • 3 core paradoxes
  • 5+ key quotes
  • Transformation arcs
  • Core problems
  • Examples
  • Reader objections
  • Action steps

Don’t copy-paste outputs as posts. Read through until one idea sparks. Write the post yourself.

Other prompt examples:

Cross-posting: Write on Twitter first (280 characters = constraint). Then distribute.

  • Twitter → Threads
  • Twitter → LinkedIn (turn into image)
  • Twitter → Instagram (turn into image)
  • Twitter → Reels/TikTok/Shorts (read on camera)

Same idea. Multiple formats. Validated ideas perform everywhere.

Note on visuals: You don’t have to use images in posts — a deliberate constraint to improve writing quality.


Step 5: Find Winners, Create Spin-offs

How to scale growth:

  1. Post daily until something brings more followers than usual
  2. Analyse why it worked
  3. Create spin-offs
  4. Make spin-offs 30% of your output
  5. Keep experimenting with the other 70%
  6. Add new winner to core rotation

Cycle: Top tweet → Newsletter → Post generators → Twitter validation → Spin-offs → Future newsletters

When to pivot:

  • Underperforming YouTube after 2 weeks? Change title.
  • Post type stops working? Test something new.

✅ Action Checklist

  • Build swipe file (50+ posts, practice exchange drills)
  • Run the 3-layer system on 3 posts
  • Write your first newsletter using the workflow
  • Generate content with prompts, write posts yourself

Final Note

This system is built around one principle: more context = better output.
The more you give the AI (swipe files, breakdowns, examples), the closer it gets to something you’ll actually use.

Use engineered and engineer prompts that deconstruct what works, synthesise patterns, and spit out building blocks you write from.

You’re not outsourcing writing, you’re using AI to compress the research loop.

The algorithms are based on human psychology. And if you understand human psychology and can use AI to help you understand that more, your content will see a notable increase in engagement.