Write a compelling problem statement
AI asks about the pain point you're solving, then writes one strong paragraph that creates urgency.
Write a compelling problem statement
River's Problem Statement Writer creates compelling problem statements that make your audience care. You describe the customer pain point, and the AI writes a tight, urgent paragraph that establishes the problem clearly, shows why it matters, and creates emotional resonance. Perfect for pitch decks, business plans, proposals, or any situation where you need to establish the problem before presenting your solution. A strong problem statement makes everything else in your pitch more compelling.
Unlike vague problem descriptions that fail to create urgency, this AI writes problem statements using the formula that works: who experiences this problem, what the pain point is specifically, why current solutions fail, and what the cost of the problem is (time, money, frustration, risk). The paragraph makes readers nod along thinking 'yes, that is a real problem' before you ever mention your solution. When the problem is clearly and compellingly stated, your solution becomes more valuable.
This tool is perfect for founders writing pitch decks and needing the problem slide copy, consultants framing client problems in proposals, product managers articulating user pain points, or anyone who needs to establish a problem before presenting a solution. If you struggle to articulate problems in ways that create urgency, or if your problem statements feel generic, this creates the compelling framing you need. Use it whenever you need others to understand and care about the problem you're solving.
What Makes Problem Statements Compelling
Compelling problem statements make readers feel the pain, not just understand it intellectually. Weak problem statements are abstract or vague ('companies struggle with inefficiency'). Strong problem statements are specific and visceral ('sales reps spend 4 hours daily entering data into multiple systems instead of talking to customers, costing companies $50K per rep annually in lost productivity'). The difference is specificity and stakes. Who exactly experiences this problem? What exactly happens? What does it cost them?
The best problem statements follow a pattern: establish who has the problem, describe the specific pain point with detail, explain why existing solutions don't work, and quantify the cost or impact. This structure creates urgency. Investors, customers, and stakeholders need to believe the problem is real and significant before they care about your solution. Paint picture with concrete details. Use real examples or stories when possible. Make it relatable even to people who don't experience the problem directly.
To test your problem statement, share it with someone who doesn't know your industry. Do they immediately understand the problem? Do they think 'that sounds frustrating'? If yes, it works. If they're confused or indifferent, the problem statement isn't clear or compelling enough. Strong problem statements often include a specific example or scenario that makes the pain concrete. Numbers help (time wasted, money lost, percentage of people affected) but emotional resonance matters more. Make readers care about the problem, then your solution becomes the obvious answer.
What You Get
One compelling problem statement paragraph
Clear articulation of who experiences the problem
Specific pain point with concrete details
Context on why current solutions fail
Quantified impact or cost when possible
Professional tone that creates urgency
How It Works
- 1Describe the pain pointAI asks who has the problem, what it is, and why it matters
- 2AI writes statementGenerates compelling problem statement in 2 minutes
- 3Review and refineAdjust details, add specifics, ensure urgency
- 4Use in materialsAdd to pitch deck, proposal, business plan, or website
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the problem statement?
One paragraph, typically 60-120 words. Long enough to be specific and create urgency, short enough to fit on a slide or in a proposal section. The goal is a tight, punchy paragraph that establishes the problem clearly. Not a bullet list, not multiple paragraphs, just one strong paragraph that makes the problem real and urgent.
Should I use this for pitch decks or written documents?
Both. The paragraph works on pitch deck problem slides (you'd pair it with supporting visuals or data) or in written documents like business plans, proposals, or website copy. For pitch decks, you might edit slightly for brevity or to match slide space. For documents, use as-is. The AI writes for readability in both contexts. Adjust based on your specific format needs.
What if I solve multiple problems?
Focus on one primary problem for the main problem statement, then you can briefly mention related problems. Trying to cover too much in one paragraph dilutes impact. Lead with the biggest, most urgent pain point. You can create separate problem statements for different pain points if needed, or mention secondary problems in your solution section. Clarity beats comprehensiveness. Make one problem feel urgent and real.
Can I use customer quotes or data?
Yes, if you have them. The AI creates the core problem statement based on what you describe. You can then add a customer quote after the paragraph ('As one customer told us...') or include a stat that reinforces the problem. The paragraph establishes the problem narrative, then supporting quotes, stats, or examples make it more credible. But the paragraph alone should be compelling even without additional proof.
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