AI conversations for client discovery # Client discovery before your first meeting. Learn what a client needs before you discuss the project. AskInstead collects voice or text answers and asks follow-up questions. Review the organized brief before your next step. - [Create my free test →](/#ask) - [See an example](#example) No signup for the free test. Use sample details. When to use it ## Before a proposal or first project meeting Understand the goal, constraints, and decisions that affect the project. Questions ## What to ask for client discovery Start with the project goal. Then ask about constraints and earlier work. Review the draft and choose the fields you need. ### Fields to request - Project goal - Scope - Deadline - Budget range - Decision maker - Earlier work 1. What do you want to achieve with this project? 2. What must the project include, and what can wait? 3. What is the deadline, and why does that date matter? 4. What have you tried already, and what happened? 5. Who approves the project, and what budget range is approved? Follow-up ## Clarify the answer before the next step. An answer can leave an important detail unclear. A follow-up question asks the client to explain it. **AskInstead** What is the deadline, and why does that date matter? **Client** We need the new website before our October event. **AskInstead follow-up** What is the event date, and which part of the website must be ready? **Client** The event starts on 15 October. The enquiry page must work by then. The resource pages can wait. Result ## Review the details in one brief. The result includes a summary, transcript, and the fields you requested. A voice recording is available when the client uses voice. Use the brief to prepare your discussion. Confirm the scope, budget, and deadline with the client before you agree to work. ### Client discovery brief Project goal A new website that lets prospective clients submit an enquiry. Scope The enquiry page is required for launch. The resource pages can follow. Deadline 15 October, before the client event starts. Budget range The client reports an approved range of $8,000–$12,000. Decision maker The client reports that the marketing director approves the project. Earlier work The client tried a page redesign. The enquiry process did not change. ## How to use AskInstead for client discovery 1. ### Define the discovery goal Describe what you need to learn. Edit the draft questions and select the fields you need. 2. ### Share the conversation link Publish the conversation and share its link. The client answers in their own time. AskInstead asks follow-up questions when needed. 3. ### Prepare the project discussion Review the summary, transcript, and requested fields. Use the details to prepare a proposal or meeting. ## Client discovery questions What is client discovery? Client discovery helps you understand a client's goals, project scope, constraints, and decision process before you propose work. How does this differ from a client discovery form? A form asks fixed questions. AskInstead can ask follow-up questions when an answer needs clarification. You receive a summary, transcript, and requested fields. Does AskInstead replace the discovery meeting? Use AskInstead to collect context before the meeting. Use the meeting to discuss choices, confirm details, and agree on the project scope. Do clients need an account? No. Clients open the shared link and answer by voice or text in their own time. Can I change the questions and follow-up questions? Yes. Review and edit the draft questions before publishing. Smart mode allows one clarification per question. You can allow more detail or disable follow-ups. What does the free test include? You can create a test link and see a private brief without signup. The test includes one response, up to five minutes. Test answers expire within 24 hours. Use sample details for the test. ## Try a client discovery conversation. Create a free test link, answer with sample details, and review your private brief. No signup. One response, up to five minutes. Test answers expire within 24 hours. [Create my free test →](/#ask) Use client intake when you need contacts, current processes, and dependencies before work starts. [Explore client intake →](/client-intake/)