ARE YOU ACTUALLY ASKING FOR THE SALE?
Are you actually asking for the sale? If you are not doing this consistently in your business, that’s the most likely reason your income feels inconsistent -it’s not your audience size, not your prices, not the algorithm. Here’s a simple check you can do right now.
This is a ‘Let’s Check’ post. There’s just one thing to check. The plain truth if it isn’t working. And one fix to make..
Let’s check
Go take a look at your last ten pieces of content – your last ten Instagram posts, the last ten emails you sent, the last ten stories, reels, videos, blog posts you shared, or whatever it is you show up and share the most at your surface levels.
Count how many of those pieces of content contain a clear, direct ask for someone to buy something from you, or to book something with you.
And what I mean here is a clear call to action. Not a vague mention of something you have available somewhere. Not a “go to the link” or “link in bio.” Not a “DM me if you’re interested.” A clear, direct ask. “Here’s what I’m selling, here’s what it costs, here’s how to get it.”
How many out of ten in each of your spaces?
If the answer is fewer than three, you’re not asking for the sale often enough. If the answer is zero or one, that’s almost certainly a significant part of why your income feels inconsistent, and why your business might be struggling financially.
The plain truth
Most female business owners are struggling to sell because they’re afraid of being seen as pushy.
So they create content that hints at what they offer, without ever actually asking anyone to buy.
They show up, they add value, they share tips, they tell stories – and then they hope their audience will somehow connect the dots, and go and find their way to the checkout without being asked. They will not.
People are busy. They’re distracted. They need to be told what the next step to take is, and they need to be told this clearly and regularly. If you fail to do this – your audience will simply not take the next step with you.
Selling is not pushy.
Pushy is when you apply pressure to someone who has already said no.
Asking for the sale is simply making sure the people who need your help know how to get it. And your people are out there – looking for the solutions you offer.
There’s nothing wrong with telling people how you can help. There’s everything wrong with not doing this and then wondering why more money isn’t coming in.
Here’s something worth sitting with: if you went to a shop and the assistant knew exactly what you needed but never told you it was available, never pointed you to it, never mentioned the price – would you think they were being respectful of your space? Or just disinterested in you?
Would you leave the shop without buying because you couldn’t find the thing you were looking for that would have genuinely helped you, simply because the sales assistant didn’t offer you help and a solution?
Your audience is in that shop every time they read your content. You need to start to ask them for the sale more often.
The fix
Before you post anything this week – anything at all – ask yourself one question: does what I am about to post contain a clear, direct ask for someone to buy, book, or sign up for something paid?
If the majority of the time it doesn’t, then you should add a CTA.
All you need to do is pop it at the end of what you’re posting. Make it clear and direct, like this:
- “If this resonates and you want help with this, here’s how to work with me.”
- “The Jenny Lane Lounge is open and your first month is just £1 – here’s the link.”
- “Business Fix Live is free and happening this Friday – save your space here.”
That’s it. It’s not complicated. It’s not pushy. It is consistent.
Two posts/pieces of content/emails a week minimum should contain a direct ask for a sale. More is better. You will not lose real, invested followers by selling. People want what you have. You will lose income by not clearly selling.
The important question to ask yourself every single week is simple – are you actually asking for the sale?
Now check your business
If you looked at your last ten posts and found fewer than three direct asks, that’s your homework this week.
Go back into your content and add a clear CTA to anything that doesn’t have one. Then commit to asking for the sale at least twice every single week from here on.
Your audience wants to buy from you. They just need to be asked.
Come and fix your business live with me – for free
Every month I run a free Business Fix Live session on Zoom for female business owners. We get straight into what’s not working in your business, and what to do about it. No slides, no pitch, no waffle.
If you want to look at your sales strategy with me, or get feedback about any part of your business to figure out exactly what’s missing and get a fix – come along.
Save your seat at the next Business Fix Live here.
How Often Should You Ask For The Sale In Your Business?
At least twice a week as a minimum – and more if you are actively launching or promoting something. Most business owners vastly underestimate how often their audience needs to hear about an offer before they take action. One mention is rarely enough. Consistent, clear asks made regularly are what convert an engaged audience into paying customers.
Why Do Female Business Owners Struggle To Ask For The Sale?
The most common reason is fear of being seen as pushy or salesy. Most business owners would rather add value and hope their audience finds their way to the checkout than risk making someone uncomfortable with a direct ask. The reality is that not asking for the sale is what costs you money – your audience cannot buy something they don’t know is available, or have not been clearly directed toward.
What Is A Call To Action In Business Content?
A call to action is a direct instruction telling your audience what to do next – buy, book, sign up, click, register. In business content it’s the sentence or paragraph at the end of a post, email or video that tells someone specifically how to take the next step with you. Without a clear call to action, even the most engaged audience will consume your content and move on without buying anything.
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