I pitched a $3,500/month consulting client in 2009. I was 26. I had no business asking for that. I had no credibility, no track record, and honestly, no idea what I was doing.
I asked anyway.
He said yes.
That single conversation taught me something most business coaches will never figure out: your business grows in direct proportion to your willingness to ask for what you want.
The Polite Kid Problem
I grew up in a household where you didn't ask for things. You waited. You were grateful. You didn't push.
That's fine for Thanksgiving dinner. It's a disaster for business.
When I started my first real business, I brought all that baggage with me. I waited for clients to find me. I was too polite to follow up. I figured if the offer was good enough, people would just... buy.
They didn't.
Here's what I had to unlearn: in business, not asking is the same as leaving money on the table. Every single time.
I've coached over 300 coaches and course creators in the last 23 years. The ones who grow fastest aren't the smartest. They're the ones who ask without flinching.
Three Asks That Build a Business
Most people in business think asking is just about closing a sale. It's not. There are at least three distinct asks that move the needle:
1. Ask for the sale directly.
This sounds obvious. Most people still don't do it. They dance around the offer. They give a 45-minute presentation and never actually ask the prospect to open their wallet. What's the worst that happens? They say no? No is just a data point. No costs you nothing. Yes changes your business.
2. Ask for referrals and introductions.
Once you serve a client well, you have earned the right to ask for one thing: an introduction to someone else who might need what you offer. Not a testimonial. An introduction. To a human being. With a pulse. And a problem you can solve. This is where I've generated well over $900,000 in my career.
3. Ask what they actually need.
Before you pitch anything, ask: "What's the #1 thing you're trying to solve right now?" The answer tells you everything. And it's a hundred times more valuable than whatever rehearsed pitch you're about to deliver.
Why We Don't Ask
Trauma. That's the short answer.
Most of us got punished for asking as kids. We asked too many questions. We pushed too hard. We wanted too much. Somewhere along the way, we learned that asking was inconvenient at best, embarrassing at worst.
That's garbage programming. And it's killing your business.
I had a coaching client—brilliant woman, PhD, 20 years of experience—who couldn't get a single client for the first six months. She couldn't bring herself to ask anyone to buy. She almost quit. Then she asked one person. That person said yes. Then another. Then another. She's now at $8,200/month. All because she finally asked.
The Rejection Math
Here's the beautiful truth about asking in business: the math is always in your favor.
If you ask 10 people to work with you, and 1 says yes, you just changed your business. The other 9? Irrelevant. They cost you nothing. Now imagine you ask 100 people over 90 days. Ten yeses. Maybe more. That's a business.
The coaches and consultants who build real revenue aren't better than you. They just asked more people.
Stop overthinking and start taking imperfect action is a direct companion to this post. If you're stuck in your head about asking, that's where you need to go next.
The Biggest Ask
Beyond sales and referrals, there's one ask that transforms everything: asking for help from someone who's already done what you're trying to do.
I didn't figure business out alone. I found mentors. I found people who'd already built what I was trying to build. I asked them questions. I asked them for advice.
That's why I built Wealthy Coach Academy. It's a place where coaches come together and ask hard questions. They get answers from someone who's been in the trenches for 23 years.
If you're serious about building a business that works, stop waiting to be discovered. Start asking.
Ready to Grow Your Business?
Join Wealthy Coach Academy — my $197/month coaching program where I help you build a business that actually works. Or start with a $4.95 starter class and see what happens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I get rejected when I ask?
Rejection is part of the process. Every successful salesperson hears "no" far more than they hear "yes." The difference is they keep asking. One "yes" can pay for hundreds of "nos."
How do I ask for referrals without being pushy?
After you've delivered real value, simply say: "I'm honored to have you as a client. Do you know anyone else who might benefit from what we're doing together?" Most people say yes. The key is timing—ask after you've genuinely helped them.
Is it really that simple—just ask?
It's not always easy. But yes, it's that simple. Most coaches are too polite to ask for what they want. The ones who ask consistently win.
How do I get over the fear of asking?
Start small. Ask for small things first—a coffee meeting, feedback on your offer. Build up to bigger asks. Also, remember that the worst case is a "no," which costs you nothing.
Who should I ask for help from?
Find someone who's already achieved what you're working toward. Not someone with opinions—someone with results. Look at their track record, not their Instagram following.
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About Jeremiah Krakowski
Jeremiah Krakowski is a coaching business mentor who helps coaches, course creators, and consultants scale from $3k/mo to $40k+/mo using direct response marketing, AI systems, and proven frameworks. He runs Wealthy Coach Academy and has 23+ years of experience in digital marketing. Learn more →