The majority of individuals make AI requests such as shopping lists a couple of unclear commands and a wish to magic. But vague in means vague out. The actual distinction between an ordinary answer and a strong, practical revelation is in form. That is where 5Cs of AI prompts come in.
The 5Cs model will assist you to make any prompt a strategic partnership with the AI – and in particular, business, strategy, and content creation.
Role Characterization: Decide What the AI Should Be.
Never just say “write a report.”
Instead, tell the AI who it is. For example:
Act in SaaS early-stage strategy consultant.
This is the only step that makes the difference. The AI has learned tone, expertise, and perspective – delivering advice that is not canned.
Defined Task: Job Defining.
Keep it crisp and specific.
Rather than assistance with a marketing plan, say:
Develop 3 months go-to-market strategy of a new productivity application.
Transparency eliminates speculation, thus, wasting less time and enhancing accuracy.
Background Information: Include the Why and Who.
Provide the AI with the receiver of the output and the purpose of the output.
Is it for a pre-seed startup? An angel investor pitch?
Context shapes strategy. You do not get specific advice without it. You also have customized, live-world knowledge with it.
Full Information: Format and Tone.
Need a 4-quadrant table SWOT analysis done in less than 350 words and professional tone? Say it.
Form provides limitations to the AI. Those boundaries arouse concentration, not restraint.
Conversation iteration: Co-create, Don’t Command.
Continuous discussions are the best prompts.
End with:
Write the initial draft and propose the changes.
This brings the AI to brainstorm with you – more of a business associate than a smart
assistant.
Why the 5Cs Work
Prompts lack completeness in the absence of the 5Cs. You get filler and fluff.
It is clarity, relevance and precision with the 5Cs – the type of answers that are expert consultation, as opposed to copy-paste.
Form beats hope all the times.
