7 Prompt Shortcuts I Actually Use as a SaaS Writer

Forget prompt dumps. Here are 7 ChatGPT shortcuts that actually help SaaS writers think clearer, write faster, and sound more human.

(And yes, one of them saves me from sounding like a robot.)

If you’ve ever opened ChatGPT to “write faster” → and then ended up rewriting everything anyway → this one’s for you.

As a SaaS content writer, I’ve tested every prompt hack, template, and cheat sheet floating around LinkedIn.
Most of them promise you’ll “10x productivity.” What they really do is “10x your editing time.”

But a few shortcuts genuinely help me think clearer and write sharper → especially when I’m juggling case studies, SEO articles, and founder storytelling.

Here are the seven that have earned a permanent place in my ChatGPT workflow.

1. /ELI5 ⮕ When I’m Explaining SaaS to a Human, Not a CTO

It means: “Explain like I’m five.”
But it’s really: “Explain like my reader has 30 tabs open and no patience.”

I use /ELI5 whenever I’m explaining something like PLG, ARR, or ICP without losing the soul of the idea.
If your content can’t survive an ELI5 test, your product messaging probably can’t either.

Pro tip: Pair this with “use analogies, not buzzwords.” Works wonders.

2. /STEP-BY-STEP ⮕ My Anti-Overthinking Shortcut

Every SaaS article has that moment where your brain says,
“Let’s just start with a hook…”
and your fingers reply,
“Cool. What’s the hook?”

That’s when I type /STEP-BY-STEP.

It’s not for the AI → it’s for me.
It forces structure when my thoughts look like an overcaffeinated Miro board.
Perfect for turning vague ideas into crisp frameworks or onboarding explainers.

3. /ACT AS ⮕ The Shape-Shifter

This one’s like improv for writers.
“Act as a SaaS founder pitching to investors.”
“Act as a skeptical customer.”
“Act as a technical reviewer who hates fluff.”

Suddenly, your content gets real feedback → not imaginary applause.
It’s the fastest way to test tone, positioning, or clarity before publishing.

4. /TONE ⮕ The Mood Switch

I’ll admit it → sometimes I write like a B2B instruction manual.
That’s when /TONE saves me.

I use it to test the same draft in multiple voices:

• Friendly (for product emails)

• Thoughtful (for Substack)

• Bold (for LinkedIn posts)

Because writing isn’t just about what you say → it’s about the temperature of your words.

5. /COMPARE ⮕ My Clarity Filter

When I’m torn between two angles → say, “Dropbox’s viral loop” vs. “Slack’s word-of-mouth” → I use /COMPARE.
It lays both side by side, and suddenly the stronger narrative jumps out.

Think of it as A/B testing for ideas before they hit your editor’s inbox.

6. /NO AUTOPILOT ⮕ The Ego Check

This one’s my favorite.
It literally forces ChatGPT to avoid filler or generic takes.

When I add /NO AUTOPILOT, the answers slow down → they think.
You can feel the response taking a breath before typing.

If you write about SaaS long enough, you know: speed isn’t the goal — clarity is.

7. /REFLECTIVE MODE ⮕ When I Want Depth, Not Drafts

Sometimes, after a good piece, I ask:

“Reflect on this response and tell me what could be clearer or more insightful.”

That one line gives you an invisible editor → honest, analytical, and merciless (in a good way).
It’s how I sharpen narratives without losing my original tone

🧩 Bonus: The Combo Move

I often chain prompts together, like:

/ACT AS a SaaS founder + /ELI5 + /NO AUTOPILOT

That mix gives me clarity, empathy, and originality → three traits no AI template can fake.

Final Thought

Good writing isn’t about prompting smarter.
It’s about asking questions that make you think smarter.

The best shortcuts don’t automate creativity → they amplify it.

So next time you open ChatGPT, skip the “make it sound viral” prompts.
Instead, try one that makes you pause and say,

“Wait… do I actually believe this?”

That’s when the real writing starts.

I help SaaS founders grow through storytelling and content marketing.
Follow me on LinkedIn for more frameworks and case studies.