The COSTAR Framework: How to Get AI to Actually Do What You Want

The COSTAR Framework: How to Get AI to Actually Do What You Want

A lot of people ask AI a question and hope for magic. Then they get a vague answer and go, “Eh… AI isn’t that good.”

Nah. The issue usually isn’t the AI.

It’s the prompt.

If you want strong, consistent results (especially for business, content, strategy, sales… all the good stuff), you don’t just ask random questions. You direct the AI the same way you’d direct a high-level team member.

That’s where COSTAR comes in.

This framework gives you a clean structure to follow so your prompts are sharp, clear, and produce solid work on the first attempt.

What is COSTAR?

COSTAR is just six parts you include inside a prompt:

• Context

• Objective

• Style

• Tone

• Audience

• Response Format

When you give the AI these six pieces, it stops guessing and actually understands what game you're playing.

The result? More accurate outputs. Less editing. Less frustration. Better momentum.

Breaking It Down (Quick + Practical)

C — Context

Give the background. The situation. The “why this matters.”

Example:

“I coach business owners who want to improve their cashflow system without working more hours.”

O — Objective

What do you want the AI to do? Be specific.

Example:

“Write 3 email subject lines for our new offer announcement.”

S — Style

How should the message sound structurally?
Short sentences? Story-driven? Bullet points? Academic? Simple?

Example:

“Keep the writing clean, conversational, and easy to skim.”

T — Tone

Tone is the feel. Warm? Direct? Inspirational? Sarcastic? Coach-like?

Example:

“Make it encouraging and energizing without sounding cheesy.”

A — Audience

Who are we talking to?
Different people require different language, pacing, and examples.

Example:

“Audience is entrepreneurs who are tired of complexity and want simple, actionable systems.”

R — Response Format

Tell it exactly how to deliver the answer.

Example:

“Give the output as a numbered list with 1–2 sentences explaining each line.”

Putting It Together — Example Prompt

Context: I coach business owners who want to build cashflow systems.
Objective: Create 3 email subject lines for my new workshop invite.
Style: Conversational, clear, value-focused.
Tone: Supportive, confident, no hype.
Audience: Entrepreneurs who feel overwhelmed and want clarity.
Response Format: Number the subject lines and add a brief explanation for each.

Boom. Clean. Direct. No confusion.

Why COSTAR Works

Most bad prompts fail because the AI is forced to guess missing details.

COSTAR eliminates the guessing.

With this framework you get:

• Answers that actually match what you intended

• Way fewer rewrites

• A repeatable system you can use personally and teach your team to use

• Clear, aligned communication every time

This is how you turn AI into a lever, not a suggestion box.

How to Start Using It Today

• Start simple. You don’t have to use every element every time.

• Be specific, but don’t choke out creativity.

• Run it once → adjust → dial it in.

• Create templates for your recurring tasks. (Absolute time-saver.)

Bottom Line

The COSTAR framework takes prompting from "hope it works" to "I know what I'm going to get."

Use it for:

• Marketing copy

• Sales scripts

• Coaching program building

• Content planning

• Brainstorming

• System mapping

Once you start prompting this way, AI stops feeling like a toy and starts feeling like an actual strategic partner.

Let’s roll. You’ve got bigger moves to make.