Coaching sales playbook

Instagram lead qualification questions for coaches

A practical DM qualification sequence for coaching enquiries: goals, current situation, fit, timing, investment and the right next step.

Published Updated By the Wagent team

A sequence you can adapt to your offer

A qualification conversation should help both sides decide whether to continue. It should not feel like a form pasted into a chat. If the first message already contains a goal and timeline, acknowledge those details and move to the missing information.

Suggested questions — adapt them to your actual offer
DecisionExample questionWhat the answer helps establish
GoalWhat would you most like to change over the next few months?Whether the desired outcome matches the programme.
SituationWhat are you doing about that at the moment?Experience and context without repeating earlier answers.
ObstacleWhat has made that difficult so far?Whether your method addresses the problem.
ReadinessWhen would you realistically have time to start?Whether a call is timely or a resource would be better.
InvestmentThe programme is [actual price]. Is that within the range you are considering?An honest price discussion using an approved amount.
Next stepWould you like the link to discuss whether this is a fit?Permission to move toward a consultation.

Define fit before automating

Write down what qualifies a lead and what excludes them. A positive tone is not evidence that someone meets the criteria. Store the answers that matter for your process, and separate “unknown” from “no”.

  • Required: the problem your offer solves and the conditions for joining.
  • Optional: details a closer would like to know but that do not block a useful conversation.
  • Exclusions: unsupported goals, an unsuitable service request or circumstances requiring a specialist.
  • Human handoff: complaints, uncertainty about eligibility, negotiated terms and explicit requests for a person.

Use the context already in the message

The example below illustrates how to avoid asking a lead to repeat themselves. It is not a transcript or a claim about customer results.

Measure fit, not just replies

Count unique eligible lead conversations over a defined period. Track how many became confirmed bookings and how many attended with the required fit. A high reply count can hide poor qualification.

Review a sample of accepted and rejected leads. Look for repetitive questions, incorrect prices, premature booking links and missed requests for a human. Improve the instructions from those findings.

Common questions.

Should an AI setter ask about budget immediately?

Use your actual sales process. Explain the offer and its real price when relevant; do not invent discounts or pressure someone to disclose personal finances. Investment fit is one part of qualification.

How many questions should a setter ask?

Ask only the questions needed for the next decision. There is no universal number. Use information already in the conversation and stop when enough is known to route the lead appropriately.

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