ALWAYS ASK.

I’m part of a team in the MN Cup. Last week, we had our Showcase. 

When I was crafting the pitch script, all I knew was it was three slides, three minutes to present to whomever chose to show up via Zoom.

I was told it was a formality, all judging was done. Frankly, I was too “busy” to inquire further (bad idea, BTW. Always read the particulars yourself).

So when I closed the pitch script with a direct ask, I didn’t know there was audience voting. 

When I wrote the ask to connect support for our team with support for the people we serve, I didn’t know there was a $500 prize.

When I worded the ask to give a feeling of power and hopefully benevolence and buy-in to the audience, all I aimed for was future goodwill and community support.

I closed it with an ask because any sort of pitch should always end with an ask or call to action. (known as a CTA in adland) 

But when our team won, the second person to  congratulate us said, “You were only ones to end with an ask.”

People often do not end with a strong ask.Especially in the culture of my home state of Minnesota.

It can feel rude, aggressive, awkward, needy, or cheesy. 

It’s none of those things.

It’d argue having NO ask is more awkward and rude - you put the onus on the listener to figure out what you want.

An ask or CTA makes it easier on your audience. It clears the way to the next step, even if it’s a negotiation for a different next step. It acknowledges their value and their power, even if it’s just the power to follow you on twitter. 

ALWAYS ask. And sometimes you shall receive. 

My ask to you: If you get value from this, please share it with someone else.

Go forth. ASK. And Pitchwell,

Julie K