Let’s talk about something super important if you’re thinking about starting a business or offering a service—how do you know that what you’re creating is actually solving a real problem? How do you figure out if people even need what you’re offering?

The key is asking the right questions! You need to understand your potential customers deeply—their struggles, their desires, and what’s truly stopping them from reaching their goals. That way, you can create a service that perfectly aligns with their needs. Today, I’m going to walk you through five simple but powerful questions that will help you discover your customers’ number one problem and their biggest desire. Ready? Grab a notebook and let’s dive in!

Why Understanding Your Customer is Everything

God has placed a desire in your heart to start a business, and every business is essentially a solution to a problem. But before you go ahead and create that solution, you need to be crystal clear on what problem you’re solving. The worst thing that could happen is spending time, energy, and resources on a product or service that nobody really needs.

That’s why customer interviews are so valuable! They help you:

• Understand your customers’ struggles in their own words
• Identify the exact outcome they’re hoping for
• Create a service that truly solves their problem
• Improve your marketing by using the same language your customers use

So how do you conduct a customer interview? It’s easy!

How to Conduct a Customer Interview

First, reach out to people who fit the description of your ideal customer. This could be people in your personal network, in Facebook groups, in your local community, or even in online forums. Send them a simple message like:

“Hey [Name], I’m working on starting a [type of business] and I’d love to get some insights from you. It’ll only take 10 minutes, and your input would be super valuable. Would you be open to answering a few quick questions?”

Most people will say yes because people love to share their experiences and thoughts! You can do the interview over a phone call, a video chat, or even through email if that’s easier.

Now, once you’ve got a willing participant, it’s time to ask the five key questions!

The 5 Questions to Ask Your Potential Customers

1. What is stopping you from [achieving their goal]?

This question helps you identify the obstacles and roadblocks your potential customers are facing. For example, if you’re starting a business coaching service, you might ask:

“What is stopping you from starting your own business?”

Their answer could be things like fear, lack of knowledge, time constraints, or financial struggles. These insights will help you craft a service that directly addresses these issues.

2. What is the number one thing you are struggling with right now when it comes to [topic related to your business]?

This digs even deeper into their pain points. If you’re offering a fitness coaching program, you might ask:

“What is the number one thing you are struggling with right now when it comes to losing weight?”

You’ll start to see patterns in responses, which will give you clear guidance on what your service should focus on.

3. What do you think are the reasons why you can’t overcome this struggle?

Now, this is where people start to reveal deeper insights. Maybe they’ll say they don’t have time, they lack motivation, or they don’t know where to start.

Understanding these reasons will allow you to create a service that truly supports your audience in overcoming their biggest hurdles.

4. Why do you want to [achieve their goal]?

This question uncovers their deepest desires. For example, if you’re a career coach, you might ask:

“Why do you want to find a new job?”

Their answer might be:

• “I want financial security.”
• “I want more flexibility to spend time with my kids.”
• “I want to do something I’m passionate about.”

When you know what drives them, you can position your service as the bridge to help them achieve their dream.

5. What is the number one benefit you are looking to get from [achieving their goal]?

This question helps you pinpoint the exact outcome they are hoping for. If you’re a business coach, you might ask:

“What is the number one benefit you are looking to get from starting your business?”

Their answers will tell you what success looks like to them—whether it’s financial freedom, more time with family, or personal fulfillment.

What to Do With the Answers

Once you’ve interviewed at least five people, take a step back and look for patterns in their responses. What are the most common struggles? What are their biggest dreams and desires?

Use this information to:

• Fine-tune your service so that it directly addresses their needs.
• Craft messaging that speaks to their struggles and desires.
• Create marketing materials that resonate with them on a deep level.

When you describe their problems in the exact words they used, they’ll feel like you truly understand them—which makes them way more likely to buy from you!

How Often Should You Conduct Customer Interviews?

If you’re just starting out, aim to do at least five customer interviews before launching your business. If you already have a business, make customer interviews an ongoing practice!

You can do them:

• Once a year to keep up with changes in customer needs.
• Every quarter if you want to stay ahead of industry trends.
• Whenever you’re launching a new offer to make sure it’s aligned with what people actually need.

Final Thoughts

Asking the right questions is the fastest way to ensure your business is built on a strong foundation. When you truly understand your customers’ problems and desires, you can create a service that not only helps them but also feels like an answered prayer to them.

So, take the first step today! Reach out to a few potential customers and ask them these five questions. The insights you gain will be priceless and will set you up for success.

Let me know in the comments—what’s one key takeaway from this post? Have you ever done a customer interview before? I’d love to hear your thoughts