Ask "What Else Could Help?"
Practical ways to ask “What else could help?”, an open question that finds new ways to serve.
Ask what else they need. Serve more, naturally.
10 tips that really help
These ideas come from The Little Red Book of Selling (Jeffrey Gitomer), Never Eat Alone (Keith Ferrazzi), Raving Fans (Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles), and everyday practice. The first six help the most. Pick one and try it today.
A simple question opens many doors
Asking what else could help invites customers to share needs you may not know about.
Use it often.
Ask it during account reviews
It fits naturally into a conversation about how things are going.
Plan it.
Listen for the needs behind the words
Customers often hint at problems before they ask for help.
Take notes.
Ask about their challenges
Problems they face reveal where you could add value.
Prepare open questions.
Suggest relevant options only
Offer ideas that clearly fit what they told you.
Think first.
Do not push
Offer, then give them space to consider.
Respect their pace.
Follow up on any interest
Keep promises to send information or ideas.
Calendar it.
Track new business that results
Seeing the outcome shows the value of asking.
Log it.
Practise the question aloud
Smooth delivery makes it feel natural.
Try it today.
A simple question
It opens many doors.
Use it.
Easy things to say
When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many sales conversations.
“What else could help you right now?”
“What is your biggest challenge this quarter?”
“Have you considered this?”
“Would that be useful?”
“Shall we explore it?”
“Thank you.”
Your first week
One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.
Add the question to your reviews
Listen carefully
Note needs
Suggest options
Follow up
Track new sales
Review
Further reading
- The Little Red Book of Selling (Jeffrey Gitomer)
- Never Eat Alone (Keith Ferrazzi)
- Raving Fans (Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles)
The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.
More lessons in “Keep Customers and Win Referrals”
Keep going. Small steps every day make a big change.
← Previous: Review Accounts Every QuarterNext: The Gentle Upsell →
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- Give Value in Every Message
- Use Phone, Email and Messages Together
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- Follow Up With a Helpful Link or Idea
- Under-Promise, Over-Deliver
- Respond Faster Than Expected
- Surprise Them With a Small Gift
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- Handwritten Notes Still Win
- Make Onboarding Easy
- Fix Problems Before They Notice
- Listen First, Fix Second
- Say Sorry Without Excuses
- Offer a Solution, Not a Speech
- Follow Up After the Fix
- Learn From Every Complaint
- Turn a Bad Review Into a Good Story
- Know When to Escalate
- Review Accounts Every Quarter
- Ask "What Else Could Help?"
- The Gentle Upsell
- Cross-Sell With Care
- Find the Next Department or Branch
- Renewals Without Panic
- Celebrate Customer Anniversaries
- Ask at the Moment of Joy
- A Simple Referral Script
- Give Customers an Easy Way to Share
- Thank Referrers Beautifully
- Referral Partnerships
- Collect Reviews the Right Way
- Build a Personal Brand
- Keep Learning Every Year
- Protect Your Reputation
- Balance Work and Life
- Teach Others What You Know
- Your Ten-Year Selling Plan
