What Intake Questions Should You Ask Before Booking?
Before someone books a call or appointment, asking the right intake questions can mean the difference between a smooth enrollment and wasted time. When used strategically, these questions help you:
✅ Qualify leads to ensure they’re a good fit
✅ Reduce no-shows and cancellations
✅ Personalize your approach in advance
In this post, we’ll share the top intake questions to include, and explain how Potenly AI lets you embed smart pre-screen forms directly in the booking flow.
🧭 Why Intake Questions Matter
Asking intake questions isn’t just busywork—it sets expectations and helps both you and your lead prepare. The result?
Higher quality leads
Better-targeted conversations
Less administrative chaos
Plus, clients feel heard and understood even before speaking to you.
🎯 Must-Have Intake Questions Before Booking
1. "What is your main goal or challenge right now?"
This open-ended question clarifies their need and helps you tailor your service.
2. "Have you worked with a [service-type] before? If so, what was your experience?"
This reveals expectations and whether they’ve tried similar solutions.
3. "What is your timeframe for starting or completing this?"
Makes scheduling realistic and sets timing expectations.
4. "What is your budget range for this engagement?"
Avoids mismatches later and ensures they're open to investing.
5. "How did you hear about us?"
Helps track what marketing channels work (referral, social, ad, etc.).
🛡️ Bonus Questions for Reducing No-Shows
- “Do you prefer virtual or in-person meetings?”
Sets logistics correctly from the start.
- “What’s the best email or phone number to reach you?”
Helps avoid missed reminders and confirmations.
💡 How Potenly AI Supercharges Pre-Screening
Instead of messy spreadsheets, Potenly lets you embed these questions directly in your booking form. Here’s what happens:
✅ The form captures critical info before booking
✅ Leads who don’t match are politely filtered out
✅ You collect lead data before even meeting
✅ Data flows directly into contact profiles for follow-up
That means you book fewer calls—but they’re the right calls. Fewer reschedules, clearer intentions, and more conversions.
🔁 Real-World Impact
One Potenly user added just two pre-screen questions to her consultation form:
“What’s your monthly marketing budget?” and “Have you tried email automation before?”
Result:
30% fewer no-shows
40% higher call-to-client conversion
No longer doing free consultations for clients who couldn’t commit
✅ TL;DR: What to Ask Before Your Lead Hits “Book”
Their main goal or challenge
Past experience with similar services
Project timeline
Budget range
How they found you
Preferred meeting type
Contact details for reminders
Embed these into your form with Potenly’s intelligent booking tool—and enjoy better conversations, fewer no-shows, and faster sales.
