Problem, Agitation, Solution Examples

Fulfilling my promise from last week

In last week’s update I talked about using frameworks and how clever marketers use “swipe files” to get a head start. Because starting from scratch is hard, you should always start with something.

Some examples of the Problem, Agitate, Solution (PAS) framework that will help you prepare better adventures for Dungeons & Dragons are shown below.

Here’s an example of a social media post written by Justin Welsh. This post worked so well on LinkedIn, that Justin was able to attract over 275k readers, collect 371 comments, and added 600 new subscribers to his newsletter. Read it and see how powerful it is to somehow who may be struggling with the problem he describes.

Justin’s post using a modified PAS framework (PAIPS)

He used this formula: Problem, Agitate, Intrigue, Positive Future, Solution.

1. Problem: You’re being manipulated at work.

2. Agitate the pain:

- Tiny Salary

- Small raises

- 60-hour weeks

- Expensive meals

- Expensive commutes

- Expensive work clothes

Make money → spend money

This is, by definition, the hamster wheel.

3. Intrigue:

There’s another option…

The “creator funnel”:

- Create attention on LinkedIn

- Build trust through deeper content

- Strengthen relationships via community

- Build a portfolio of one-person revenue streams

4. Positive Future

- No bosses.

- No $20 daily lunches.

- No $35 Uber to the office.

- No evening meetings to finish projects.

Just 4.6B potential customers with an internet connection…

And unlimited upside.

Hello creator funnel.

Goodbye hamster wheel.

5. Solution

P.S. My newsletter will break down the entire creator funnel tomorrow.

Want to read it? Two options:

→ Subscribe at justinwelsh.me

↓ Check the comments below for the link

That’s it. That’s the social media post that got Justin 600 new subscribers in a single day. That is solid copywriting using a psychologically engaging framework.

How do I make this work as a Dungeon Master?

Now, you must be thinking to yourself, “How is this supposed to make me a better DM?!” Well, directly it won’t. But indirectly this is gold. Let me break it down for you.

By thinking in terms of this framework, you’ll start to see your creative process in a different light. You’ll be able to come up with several ideas during your game prep and, with a little bit of practice, you’ll be able to think of ways to use it on-the-fly during a session.

I’ll use a D&D example that may help illustrate the point.

Your PCs have just entered a foreign town named Plainsville where they’re looking to rest for a night before their longer journey to the Krakadoom mountain range.

Problem: “Plainsville will be a ghost town in a matter of days.”

Agitate:

- Crops have died

- Livestock have become ill

- Beloved pets have gone missing

- Trees, herbs, and bushes have burst into flame

- Even the town elders don’t know what’s happening

Paint a postive future:

What can you do to help this small town? It may have nothing to offer you as a place to stay for the night, but you may have what it takes to solve their mystery and show the world the heroes that you really are.

You see, the solution is missing in this scenario because the PCs are the solution! The idea is to paint a picture of mystery and intrigue that they won’t want to ignore. It raises questions in their minds that begs for an answer.

They don’t know the why of the situation, but as the DM you do. You can slowly reveal more clues as the PCs ask questions as the meet the forlorn townsfolk. You can describe strange tracks in the mud that seemingly go in and out of the town.

Perhaps there’s a single tree that still looks healthy. But why?! What can the PCs learn from the healthy tree? Is it the soil, the type, or something else?

This is just one framework to spur intrigue in your campaign.

We ain’t got no writer’s block ‘round here

There’s no such thing as writer’s block. Or, in D&D terms “creator’s block.” Creation comes as outputs from healthy inputs. Inputs like reading, browsing D&D artwork in books, or on the internet. Check the resource section (in my book that’s not out yet) for more ways to gather useful inputs that will help inspire you to create.

As the author James Clear says, “You do not rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems.”

With the right systems in place, you’ll be a creative machine and one of the best DMs on the planet.

Why haven’t you preordered your book yet? 😁

Thanks for reading all my ramblings.

-Joe