Ask For Feedback AFTER Pitching

A crucial insight that most entrepreneurs miss: feedback almost never comes voluntarily in today's environment.

The reality is stark but important to recognize:

1️⃣ People conserve mental energy by default 

In our attention-depleted world, providing thoughtful feedback represents a cognitive cost most aren't willing to pay without prompting. Even interested prospects will often nod, say "interesting," and never share their actual thoughts.

2️⃣ Confrontation avoidance is at an all-time high 

Most people will actively avoid telling you what's wrong with your product. They'll ghost you rather than explain why they're not buying - not because they're mean, but because delivering criticism feels uncomfortable.

3️⃣ The golden opportunity comes immediately after pitching 

This is the critical moment when your product is fresh in their mind, they have context for feedback, and you have their attention. Waiting even a day dramatically reduces the quality and likelihood of receiving feedback.

The solution is remarkably simple yet powerful: explicitly ask for specific feedback immediately after pitching.

Effective approaches include:

• "What aspect of this didn't seem relevant to your needs?"

• "If you could change one thing about this product, what would it be?"

• "On a scale of 1-10, how well does this solve your problem, and what would make it a 10?"

By directly opening the door to constructive criticism, you:

1. Give permission to share negative thoughts

2. Frame feedback as helpful rather than confrontational

3. Create a clear path of least resistance for honest responses

This simple habit can transform your product development cycle, turning silent rejections into valuable improvement insights.

What specific feedback questions have you found most effective in your pitches?