What questions should you ask on a discovery call?

Ask how things work today, what prompted them to look now, what they've tried, what success looks like, how they measure it, what budget and timing they have in mind, and who else is involved in the decision.

How long should a discovery call be?

Thirty minutes is enough for most first calls. Book 45 to 60 minutes for a discovery session with several stakeholders or a complex project.

What's the difference between a discovery call and a discovery session?

A discovery call is the first qualifying conversation. A discovery session is a longer, often paid workshop after a client signs, to map requirements in detail before the work starts.

AgendaAgenciesPitch & sales

Discovery call agenda

30 minutes 7 blocksFree Free template

A 30-minute discovery call with a question bank in every block: situation, problem, success, budget and decision process, closing on a booked next step.

Use this template See inside

Free to use and to run live. No card needed.

30 min · 7 blocks, drawn to scale Fits exactly

Introductions and agenda check, 3 minutes
Their situation: how things work today, 6 minutes
The problem, and why now, 6 minutes
What does success look like?, 4 minutes
Impact, budget and timeline, 5 minutes
Decision process: who else, how and by when, 3 minutes
Agree the next step and book it before hanging up, 3 minutes

+0′Introductions and agenda checkTip: Confirm the time you have, say what you'd like to cover, then ask: "Is there anything you want to make sure we get to?" Note it and make sure you do.3 minInfo
+3′Their situation: how things work todayTip: "Walk me through how you handle this today." "Who's involved?" "What tools or partners do you use?" Listen for the words they use; use them in your proposal.6 minDiscuss
+9′The problem, and why nowTip: "What prompted you to look at this now?" "What have you tried already?" "What happens if nothing changes in the next six months?" Ask one question at a time, then wait.6 minDiscuss
+15′What does success look like?A year from now, what would make this project a clear success?Tip: If several people from their side join, let them add answers on their phones; differences between them are worth exploring. With one person, ask it out loud.4 minBrainstorm
+19′Impact, budget and timelineTip: "How do you measure this today?" "Is there a budget set aside, or a range you have in mind?" "When does this need to be in place, and what's driving that date?"5 minDiscuss
+24′Decision process: who else, how and by whenTip: "Who else will be involved in the decision?" "What does your process look like from here?" "What would stop this from going ahead?"3 minDiscuss
+27′Agree the next step and book it before hanging upTip: Propose a specific next step, such as a proposal walkthrough with the decision maker, and book it on the call. If it isn't a fit, say so; it builds trust.3 minDecide

In short

A discovery call is a first conversation with a prospective client to understand their situation, problem and goals before proposing anything. This 30-minute agenda gives you a question bank for each part (situation, problem, success, budget and timeline, decision process) and ends with a next step booked in both calendars.

Time: 30 minutes
People: You and 1 to 4 people from the client
Questions: 14, written into the notes
Plan: Free

Updated October 4, 2026

What's inside

By the end of this meeting, you understand the prospect's problem, what success looks like, budget, timing and who decides, and the next step is in both calendars. The full agenda is drawn to scale above: every block has its own timer when you run it live.

How to run it

1Research the company and the person beforehand, and write down your three most important questions.
2Talk less than half the time. The question bank in each block's notes keeps you asking rather than pitching.
3Repeat back what you heard before discussing budget, so the prospect feels understood.
4Never end without a booked next step, or a clear and friendly no.
5Send the summary as a recap: their goals in their words, what you'll do next and the date you agreed.

Questions people ask

What questions should you ask on a discovery call?: Ask how things work today, what prompted them to look now, what they've tried, what success looks like, how they measure it, what budget and timing they have in mind, and who else is involved in the decision.
How long should a discovery call be?: Thirty minutes is enough for most first calls. Book 45 to 60 minutes for a discovery session with several stakeholders or a complex project.
What's the difference between a discovery call and a discovery session?: A discovery call is the first qualifying conversation. A discovery session is a longer, often paid workshop after a client signs, to map requirements in detail before the work starts.

All agendas

Open it, make it yours, run it live.

Change anything in the editor. When you're ready, press Present: everyone joins with a scan and answers on their phone.

Free forever
Pro free for 14 days
No card needed
Guests never need an account

Use this template More agendas

AgendaAgenciesPitch & sales

Discovery call agenda

30 minutes 7 blocksFree Free template

A 30-minute discovery call with a question bank in every block: situation, problem, success, budget and decision process, closing on a booked next step.

Use this template See inside

Free to use and to run live. No card needed.

30 min · 7 blocks, drawn to scale Fits exactly

Introductions and agenda check, 3 minutes
Their situation: how things work today, 6 minutes
The problem, and why now, 6 minutes
What does success look like?, 4 minutes
Impact, budget and timeline, 5 minutes
Decision process: who else, how and by when, 3 minutes
Agree the next step and book it before hanging up, 3 minutes

+0′Introductions and agenda checkTip: Confirm the time you have, say what you'd like to cover, then ask: "Is there anything you want to make sure we get to?" Note it and make sure you do.3 minInfo
+3′Their situation: how things work todayTip: "Walk me through how you handle this today." "Who's involved?" "What tools or partners do you use?" Listen for the words they use; use them in your proposal.6 minDiscuss
+9′The problem, and why nowTip: "What prompted you to look at this now?" "What have you tried already?" "What happens if nothing changes in the next six months?" Ask one question at a time, then wait.6 minDiscuss
+15′What does success look like?A year from now, what would make this project a clear success?Tip: If several people from their side join, let them add answers on their phones; differences between them are worth exploring. With one person, ask it out loud.4 minBrainstorm
+19′Impact, budget and timelineTip: "How do you measure this today?" "Is there a budget set aside, or a range you have in mind?" "When does this need to be in place, and what's driving that date?"5 minDiscuss
+24′Decision process: who else, how and by whenTip: "Who else will be involved in the decision?" "What does your process look like from here?" "What would stop this from going ahead?"3 minDiscuss
+27′Agree the next step and book it before hanging upTip: Propose a specific next step, such as a proposal walkthrough with the decision maker, and book it on the call. If it isn't a fit, say so; it builds trust.3 minDecide

In short

Time: 30 minutes
People: You and 1 to 4 people from the client
Questions: 14, written into the notes
Plan: Free

Updated October 4, 2026

What's inside

How to run it

1Research the company and the person beforehand, and write down your three most important questions.
2Talk less than half the time. The question bank in each block's notes keeps you asking rather than pitching.
3Repeat back what you heard before discussing budget, so the prospect feels understood.
4Never end without a booked next step, or a clear and friendly no.
5Send the summary as a recap: their goals in their words, what you'll do next and the date you agreed.

Questions people ask

What questions should you ask on a discovery call?: Ask how things work today, what prompted them to look now, what they've tried, what success looks like, how they measure it, what budget and timing they have in mind, and who else is involved in the decision.
How long should a discovery call be?: Thirty minutes is enough for most first calls. Book 45 to 60 minutes for a discovery session with several stakeholders or a complex project.
What's the difference between a discovery call and a discovery session?: A discovery call is the first qualifying conversation. A discovery session is a longer, often paid workshop after a client signs, to map requirements in detail before the work starts.

All agendas

Open it, make it yours, run it live.

Change anything in the editor. When you're ready, press Present: everyone joins with a scan and answers on their phone.

Free forever
Pro free for 14 days
No card needed
Guests never need an account

Use this template More agendas

Discovery call agenda

What's inside

How to run it

Questions people ask

We build brands people remember

Open it, make it yours, run it live.

Discovery call agenda

What's inside

How to run it

Questions people ask

We build brands people remember

Open it, make it yours, run it live.

Discovery call agenda

What's inside

How to run it

Questions people ask

Goes well with

We build brands people remember

Open it, make it yours, run it live.

Discovery call agenda

What's inside

How to run it

Questions people ask

Goes well with

We build brands people remember

Open it, make it yours, run it live.