Predictive questions are questions that can lead to better recommendations. By asking your customers the right question, you can more easily connect them with the right product or the right service. The two questions might not even seem to be related.

The predictive question, "Do you like to dance?" correlates with, "should you switch to a Mac?" I heard that example in a session at SXSW. I think it was Making Content Relevant.
At the liquor store we ask, "Do you sweeten your tea?" to find out what type of wine customers might like.
Because the predictive question seems unrelated to the purchase decision, it can feel less intimidating to the customer, and easier to answer.
What seemingly unrelated questions might lead you to better answers for your customers?
Help your customers with a predictive question
Other Posts by Becky McCray
Alternative Business Financing: Community Ownership - April 10, 2012
Alternatives to Small Business Loans - February 6, 2012
A Map to Small Business Capital - September 7, 2011
Social Media Marketing Notes from Peter Shankman - August 16, 2011
Share Your Good News in the Brag Basket - June 17, 2011
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BeckyMcCray said:
Daniel, that is exactly how we've developed a suite of questions for helping people chose wines; we've refined them over time. To learn more, you might start with the panelists that spoke on this topic: David Maher Roberts (The Filter), Liz Gannes (GigaOM), Douglas Merrill, and Chris Dixon (Hunch).DanielSchiller1 said:
This is an interesting post, Becky. I think formulating the right question is a moving target, and is arrived at over time. Would you have any additional resources to recommend that can help provide these sorts of consumer insights?"Venture Funding for Dummies: A 2012 Report"

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