1. Moving People to Action
“You get what you ask for.”
Ryan Donohue

2. We learn through experience, success, and reflection.
Life as Asking
In life, we are always asking something of someone.
Interviewing for a new job...
Negotiating...
Listening...
Different situations call for a different way of asking.
Work, personal life, volunteering - It’s no different!
We learn through experience, success, and reflection.

3. Building as Asking Asking is building your organization.
An ask:
is asking someone to be a part of your organization.
Asking someone to be a part of your organization:
is building that organization.
Whether it is asking for money, time, or goods…
Asking is building your organization.
The bigger your organization - the more you can help!

4. Building as Asking Whether it be: volunteers funds in kind services
or any of the other things we ask for….
There is one truth above all others….

5. Building as Asking You get what you ask for
and not much of what you don’t ask for.

6. People support other people more than issues
I + You = We
People support other people more than issues

7. Give Context! Why should they say yes?
I + You = We
Successful asks always recognize
the self interest of the person being asked.
Use story!
Give Context! Why should they say yes?
What is at stake for him/her?
How does your organization help address that concern?
What can we do together to achieve that goal?

8. I + You = We Don’t ask something of someone… Give them an opportunity.

9. I + You = We A successful ask limits the possibility of “No.”

10. The Anatomy of a Good Ask
Practical ways to make better
asks and become a better organizer.

11. The Anatomy of a Good Ask 1. Build Urgency
Give context
Why is this work important?
Why does he/she have to do this work?

12. The Anatomy of a Good Ask
2. Use strong language
No Yes/No, good/bad, dialogic questions
This includes:
“How are you today?”
“Can you…”
“Is this a good time to talk?”

13. 3. Ask for something specific
The Anatomy of a Good Ask
3. Ask for something specific
Specificity increases the chance of a positive response.
Opens opportunities for future asks

14. The Anatomy of a Good Ask
4. Ask and shut up
Make a strong ask and wait for a response.
Silence in personal life can be awkward;
In professional life, it’s deliberation.

15. The Anatomy of a Good Ask
5. Be Persistent
Ask three times, each deliberately more vague.
Ask #1: Can we meet between 2 and 4pm on Thursday?
Ask #2: When on Thursday works better for you?
Ask #3: When in the next three days can we meet?
Ask #4: What date works for you?

16. 6. Have an effective attitude
The Anatomy of a Good Ask
6. Have an effective attitude
While popular, feigning excitement and a bubbly demeanor doesn’t work for everyone.
Approach your ask like a taking a jump shot.
Hone your technique and don’t reinvent the wheel.
Make your last ask of the day better than your first.
Make your first ask today better than your last ask yesterday.

17. The Anatomy of a Good Ask
7. Write it down!
Successful asks require motivation, inspiration, & coaching.
Keep files and notes on the people you meet.
It’s in your interest to do so to help you manage and maintain the relationships you are building.

18. The Anatomy of a Good Ask
8. Know your audience
Tailor your ask & language to the audience.
Examples:
Some, team members might want to be leaders, others would rather be team members…
Some might want to focus on door knocking, others might be better at calling voters on the phone….

19. The Anatomy of a Good Ask
Practice!
Role playing

20. Making the Ask
Questions?