Pietro Montaldo
I build and share AI tools and playbooks actually useful for non-techies | DM for custom trainings or join my next AI-agent building course on Maven
Pietro Montaldo teaches non-technical professionals how to build AI automation systems through practical guides, playbooks, and courses. His most distinctive move is pairing achievement claims with scarcity tactics ("Only today") and then driving 75.6% of engagement through comments by asking readers to reply with a keyword to unlock free resources.
15.4/wk
28 posts in 30d
649
avg per post
75.6%
comments / total
1%
reposts / total
problem-solution
Tue · 11 PM CET
Voice & tone
Pietro writes like a peer who's already solved the problem and is casually sharing the blueprint. He uses phrases like "This is not another AI slop guide" and "my co-founder will kill me" to signal authenticity and insider knowledge. The tone is confident but accessible, never condescending, and always grounded in what actually worked for his 7-figure business. He treats readers as collaborators, not students.
Signature phrases
- “This is not another AI slop guide”
- “It's how I actually teach it in my Maven Courses”
- “Only today (my co-founder will kill me)”
- “100% created by me. Every section has a video walkthrough.”
- “Each takes 10 minutes to set up.”
- “Comment [keyword] and I'll DM you”
Top 3 posts, dissected
Their highest-engagement posts, broken down line by line. Steal the structure.
Claude released Skills 2.0 last week Here is my advanced guide for NON-technical operators 👇 __ Firstly, this is not another AI slop guide It's how I actually teach it in my Maven Courses for Professionals. You can check some of the reviews on my profile or in the comments. The guide is: short walkthrough videos (of me) + step by step instructions __ Simple LLM Chat : Skills = Generic Output : Professional Output With this update Anthropic introduced: • A/B test Skills • Test and improve performance of your skills with Evals • Test and improve Triggers to call skills The tutorial has a few basic chapter (if you are getting started or to refresh the basics) and deep dive on more advanced sections. See full curriculum in the image below. After the huge success of the CoWork Guide Format (4K downloads), I invested serious time on replicating the same learning experience for skills. The file include a few of my own skills to give you inspiration and test: • Reddit post draft for AEO • Paid Ads Strategy Builder • LinkedIn Post reviewer • Email Drip Campaign Skills & more 100% created by me. Every section has a video walkthrough. Comment "Skills" and I'll send it over (make sure we are connected)
"Claude released Skills 2.0 last week" works because it's timely and specific. Readers searching for Claude Skills 2.0 guidance will see this immediately. The follow-up ("Here is my advanced guide for NON-technical operators") signals this isn't another generic tutorial—it's translated for his exact audience.
The post opens with a negation ("This is not another AI slop guide"), then establishes credibility (Maven Courses, reviews), then uses a visual equation (Simple LLM Chat : Skills = Generic Output : Professional Output) to frame the problem. The middle section lists 3 specific features Anthropic introduced, then pivots to the solution: a downloadable guide with video walkthroughs and 4 pre-built skills. The close is a keyword CTA ("Comment Skills").
- Negation opener to filter for serious readers and dismiss competitors
- Social proof embedded early ("check some of the reviews on my profile")
- Visual equation to make an abstract concept concrete
- Specific deliverables listed (Reddit post draft, Paid Ads Strategy Builder, LinkedIn Post reviewer)
- Proof of effort ("100% created by me. Every section has a video walkthrough")
- Keyword CTA to move conversation to DMs and capture leads
"Comment 'Skills' and I'll..." (text cut off, but the pattern is clear). This drives the 5607 comments because it's a low-friction action that feels like a conversation starter, not a sales pitch. Readers comment the keyword, get a DM with the guide, and feel like they've unlocked insider access.
Pair a timely tool release with a negation opener and specific deliverables, then use a keyword CTA to convert curiosity into comments and DMs.
Last month, I sold out a paid workshop on how to build AI systems that actually drive growth in 2026 The feedback was incredible. To wrap up a great 2025, I’m giving away the top 5 modules for free. I spent 500+ hours in 2025 building AI systems for growth hacking First f…
"Last month, I sold out a paid workshop on how to build AI systems that actually drive growth in 2026" is an achievement claim that immediately establishes authority. The phrase "sold out" signals scarcity and demand; "actually drive growth" promises real results, not theory. This hook generates 432 likes and 2752 comments because readers want to know what made it work.
Opens with achievement claim, then validates it ("The feedback was incredible"). Pivots to the offer: free access to the top 5 modules. Builds credibility with specific numbers (500+ hours, 7-figure business, 5K newsletter subscribers, 15K B2B followers). Lists 5 specific systems as bullets with arrows (Reddit strategy, Landing page auditor, Competitor ad tracking, Prospect research, LinkedIn trend finder). Adds urgency ("Only today") with a personal touch ("my co-founder will kill me"). Closes with setup time ("Each takes 10 minutes") and tools used (Relay.app, Gemini, Perplexity). Final CTA: "Comment '2026' and I'll DM you."
- Achievement claim with social proof ("sold out," "feedback was incredible")
- Specific time investment (500+ hours) to prove depth
- Multiple credibility anchors (7-figure business, 5K newsletter, 15K followers) stacked for authority
- Arrow bullets for visual scannability and energy
- Scarcity language ("Only today") paired with humor ("my co-founder will kill me") to feel authentic, not manipulative
- Setup time callout ("Each takes 10 minutes") to lower perceived friction
- Tool transparency (Relay.app, Gemini, Perplexity) to signal this is replicable, not magic
"Comment '2026' and I'll DM you the free access link (must be connected)." This keyword CTA drives 2752 comments because it's a micro-commitment that feels like joining a club. The "must be connected" requirement filters for serious readers and ensures he's building a real audience, not vanity metrics.
Stack multiple credibility anchors (time invested, revenue, audience size) before offering something free, then use a keyword CTA with a light scarcity frame to convert readers into commenters and DM conversations.
Last month, I sold out a paid workshop on how to build AI systems that actually drive growth in 2026 The feedback was incredible. To wrap up a great 2025, I’m giving away the top 5 modules for free. I spent 500+ hours in 2025 building AI systems for growth hacking First f…
This post is identical to post 2 in the data provided, so the hook analysis is the same: "Last month, I sold out a paid workshop..." This repetition in the dataset suggests Pietro may have reposted this high-performer, which is a valid strategy when a post hits 3196 engagement.
Identical to post 2: achievement claim, social proof, specific numbers, 5 bulleted systems with arrows, scarcity + humor, setup time, tools, keyword CTA.
- Achievement claim with social proof
- Specific time investment (500+ hours)
- Multiple credibility anchors stacked
- Arrow bullets for visual energy
- Scarcity language with humor
- Setup time callout
- Tool transparency
"Comment '2026' and I'll DM you the free access link (must be connected)." The keyword CTA is the engine of engagement here. By asking readers to comment a single word, Pietro removes friction and creates a public signal of interest that other readers see, which compounds engagement.
When a post hits 3000+ engagement, reposting it at a different time or to a different audience segment is a legitimate growth tactic—don't assume every post needs to be new.
What drives their engagement
Pietro's keyword CTAs ("Comment Skills," "Comment 2026") are the primary comment driver. They're low-friction actions that feel like unlocking insider access rather than sales. His 75.6% conversation index (comments as % of total engagement) is 20+ points above typical LinkedIn creators, proving this tactic works. The comments also serve as social proof—readers see others engaging and feel FOMO.
Reposts are surprisingly low at 1%, which suggests Pietro's audience is consuming for personal use (saving guides, downloading templates) rather than broadcasting. His content is utility-first, not status-first. This is intentional: he's building a community of practitioners, not amplifiers.
High. How-to guides (1518 avg engagement) and numbered lists (736 avg) are inherently saveable because they're reference material. The fact that his CoWork Guide format hit 4K downloads signals readers are saving and sharing his content offline, which LinkedIn's algorithm doesn't capture. His posts function as mini-courses, not disposable content.
Content pillars
Problem-Solution Frameworks
34%Identifies a specific AI tool release or workflow gap, then provides the exact steps non-techies need to implement it profitably.
Numbered Lists & Checklists
21%Breaks down AI systems, strategies, or tool stacks into scannable, actionable steps (usually 3-7 items) that readers can execute immediately.
How-To Guides & Tutorials
8%Deep-dive posts with video walkthroughs, templates, and curriculum breakdowns for building specific AI agents or systems (highest engagement format at 1518 avg).
Achievement + Scarcity Offers
20%Shares a personal win (sold-out workshop, 7-figure business), then gates free resources behind a comment-to-DM mechanism to drive conversation.
Tool Stack & Strategy Breakdowns
17%Reveals the specific tools (Relay.app, Gemini, Perplexity) and workflows he uses, positioning himself as the translator between complex AI and non-technical operators.
Hook patterns
Achievement Claim
Lead with a specific business result or event (sold-out workshop, revenue figure, follower count), then immediately pivot to what you're giving away.
“Last month, I sold out a paid workshop on how to build AI systems that actually drive growth in 2026”
→ Establishes credibility in the first 10 words and creates curiosity about what made it work—readers want the secret.
Tool Release + Instruction Signal
Name a recent AI tool update or feature, then promise a non-technical guide ("Here is my advanced guide for NON-technical operators").
“Claude released Skills 2.0 last week. Here is my advanced guide for NON-technical operators”
→ Captures readers searching for that tool while signaling you'll translate jargon into action steps they can follow.
Scarcity + Statistic Shock
Combine a time-limited offer ("Only today") with a specific number that proves the system works (500+ hours, 7-figure business, 15K followers).
“Only today (my co-founder will kill me) you can have these 5 systems... I spent 500+ hours in 2025 building AI systems”
→ Scarcity triggers urgency; the time investment number proves you didn't rush the work, making the free offer feel genuinely valuable.
Negation + Reframe
Start by saying what something is NOT, then redefine it as what it actually IS ("This is not another AI slop guide. It's how I actually teach it...").
“Firstly, this is not another AI slop guide. It's how I actually teach it in my Maven Courses for Professionals.”
→ Immediately differentiates from low-quality content and positions the post as insider knowledge, not generic advice.
Bold Statement
Make a counterintuitive or direct claim about AI, non-technical work, or business growth that contradicts common wisdom.
“Simple LLM Chat : Skills = Generic Output : Professional Output”
→ Creates cognitive friction that forces readers to stop and think, then read on to understand the claim.
Top-performing hooks
“Claude released Skills 2.0 last week”
→ The post offers a valuable resource (Skills 2.0 guide) tailored for professionals, promising actionable insights and practical skills. The high engagement suggests strong interest in learning how to e
“Last month, I sold out a paid workshop on how to build AI systems that actually drive growth in 2026”
→ The post combines social proof (sold-out workshop, 7-figure business, specific growth metrics) with a high-value free giveaway and artificial urgency ('only today'), while the comment-to-unlock CTA ('
“Our Reddit content team = me + 5 AI agents.”
→ The post combines a compelling result (15x increase in LLM citations) with a clearly structured breakdown of the AI agent toolkit, creating high perceived value. The comment-to-DM lead capture mechani
“In the Age of AI, it's super important to be able to distinguish between a real photo and one generated by AI.”
→ This post uses a bait-and-switch humor technique—it sets up an expectation of genuine educational content about spotting AI-generated photos, then delivers a comedic punchline (likely an obviously fak
What works
- Achievement claims as hooks (3 posts, 3196 avg engagement). Lead with a specific win (sold-out workshop, 7-figure business) before pivoting to what you're offering. This establishes credibility in the first sentence and creates curiosity about the mechanism.
- Keyword CTAs driving 75.6% conversation rate. Instead of generic "Let me know in the comments," Pietro asks readers to comment a specific word ("Skills," "2026"). This removes decision friction and creates a public signal that compounds engagement.
- Numbered lists and problem-solution formats (combined 55% of posts, 725 avg engagement). These formats are scannable, actionable, and inherently saveable. Readers can skim, understand, and implement without re-reading.
- How-to guides with video walkthroughs (1518 avg engagement, highest format). Pairing written steps with video proof of execution removes doubt and positions Pietro as the translator between complex AI and non-technical operators.
- Scarcity + humor pairing ("Only today (my co-founder will kill me)"). Scarcity creates urgency; humor makes it feel authentic rather than manipulative. This combination drives both comments and DMs.
- Tool transparency (naming Relay.app, Gemini, Perplexity, Maven). Readers want to know the exact tools and platforms used, not just the concept. Naming them signals replicability and builds trust.
Steal this for your own LinkedIn
- Start your next post with a specific achievement or result ("I sold out X," "I grew Y to Z"), then immediately pivot to what you're sharing. This pattern generated 3196 engagement in Pietro's top posts.
- Replace generic CTAs with keyword CTAs. Instead of "Comment below," ask readers to comment a single word ("SKILLS," "2026"). Test this on your next 3 posts and measure comment lift.
- Write in the 180-350 word range. This is long enough to build credibility and list specific deliverables, but short enough to hold attention. Pietro's 50% of posts in this range average 782 engagement.
- Pair scarcity with humor. Use phrases like "Only today (my co-founder will kill me)" or "I'm giving away X before I change my mind." This removes the sleazy feeling from urgency tactics.
- List specific deliverables with arrows (→ Reddit strategy, → Landing page auditor). Bullets with arrows are more energetic and scannable than dashes or numbers. They also signal action and forward momentum.
- Include setup time or effort estimates ("Each takes 10 minutes to set up"). This lowers perceived friction and makes your offer feel more achievable. Readers want to know the cost of implementation.
Compare Pietro with…
vs Prakhar Sharma
Pietro Montaldo vs Prakhar Sharma: AI tools or LinkedIn meta
vs The StartUp Circle
Pietro Montaldo vs The StartUp Circle: Niche mastery beats broad community play
vs Debajyoti Jena
Debajyoti Jena vs Pietro Montaldo: Community funnel beats education funnel
vs Charlie Phillips
Charlie Phillips vs Pietro Montaldo: Values vs Systems on LinkedIn
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Posting patterns
Pietro posts 15.4 times per week (roughly 2 posts per day), maintaining consistent presence without appearing spammy. His 28 posts in the last 30 days shows he's active but not obsessive, suggesting a sustainable content system.
Tuesday at 22:00 UTC performs best. This is evening in Europe and late afternoon in US East Coast, likely when professionals are winding down and scrolling. The timing suggests his audience is global but skews toward Western professionals.
Long-form (180-350 words) at 50% of posts and averaging 782 engagement is his sweet spot. This length allows him to tell a story, build credibility, list specific deliverables, and include a CTA without overwhelming readers. His very long posts (350+ words) average only 89 engagement, suggesting diminishing returns past 350 words.
Engagement by day
Content mix
avg 714 engagements per post
avg 736 engagements per post
avg 101 engagements per post
avg 820 engagements per post
avg 1.5K engagements per post
avg 43 engagements per post
Pietro's 34% problem-solution + 21% numbered lists + 8% how-to guides (63% total) creates a content diet optimized for utility and implementation. His audience is non-technical professionals who want to build AI systems, not read theory. By mixing problem-solution frameworks (which establish the why) with numbered lists and how-to guides (which provide the how), he keeps readers engaged across multiple post types while maintaining a consistent value proposition. The 20% achievement + scarcity offers serve as conversion posts that move readers from passive consumers to active participants (commenters, DM recipients, course buyers).
