Welcome to Brand It, Build It Podcast, a podcast created to help you build a better brand and a more seamless, successful business — one clear, candid conversation at a time. I’m your host, and co-founder of With Grace and Gold, Kelly Zugay — and today, I’m sharing how to turn inquiries — those hopeful, exciting messages that land in your inbox — into confident, aligned, excited yeses from your prospective clients. Let’s dive in.

When we receive an inquiry — whether through a contact form, Instagram DM, or email — it’s easy to feel two things at once:

• The joy of someone wanting to work with you, and
• The pressure to say the perfect thing back.

I’ve been there. Over the years, I’ve learned that how you respond to an inquiry has the power to completely shape the outcome — and most importantly, to create a smooth, aligned client relationship from the very beginning.

So today, I want to walk through a few small but mighty ways you can turn inquiries into excited yeses — without being overly salesy, without overwhelming your potential clients, and most of all, while staying true to who you are.

Respond like a human, not a business

The first impression you create matters — but that doesn’t mean it needs to be polished to perfection. It just needs to feel real. I recommend beginning every inquiry response with a sentence that reflects the human side of your business. Something like:

“I’m so honored you reached out!”
“What a joy to see your message in my inbox.”
“Thank you so much for your thoughtful message — I’m already so excited about the possibility of working together!”

It’s a small shift, but it immediately creates a warm, welcoming tone — and reminds your potential client that behind your business is a real person who’s grateful for their interest.

Personalize your response

Next, mention something specific from their inquiry. Did they say they love your style? Reference it. Did they mention their wedding location, business launch, or dream project? Acknowledge it.

For example:
“I loved reading that you’re planning a coastal wedding next spring — what a beautiful time of year! And your vision for a laid-back but refined celebration sounds amazing.”

This level of personalization makes your response feel thoughtful — not templated. It tells the person on the other side that you see them, not just their project or budget.

Focus less on the process, more on the transformation

It’s tempting to jump into details — timelines, steps, deliverables — but in your first reply, it’s more powerful to focus on the transformation. What will their life or business be like after working with you?

Try saying something like:
“My goal is to design a brand and website that not only reflects your vision — but truly helps you connect with your audience, book more of your dream clients, and feel proud every time you share your business.”

This keeps the momentum and excitement high — and helps the prospective client feel what it would be like to work with you.

Provide one clear next step

Too many options can lead to indecision. So, offer one direct and easy next step. For example:

“To move forward, simply reply ‘I’m in!’ and I’ll send along everything you need to get started.”
“The next step is booking a Discovery Call. Here’s the link to schedule a time that works best for you.”

Keep it simple, and make sure your call to action aligns with your workflow. Whether it’s hopping on a call, reviewing a welcome guide, or booking directly — clarity converts.

Create excitement, not urgency

You don’t need to pressure someone to book you. But you can gently affirm that you’re excited about the possibility of working together — and that you value their time.

Something like:
“I only take on a limited number of projects each month to ensure every client receives my full attention — so if your heart is saying yes, I’d love to hold space for you.”

It’s not a hard sell — it’s simply an invitation, framed with care.

Let’s recap

Here’s how to turn an inquiry into an excited yes:

• Respond like a human — lead with warmth.
• Personalize your message — reflect their story.
• Share the transformation — not just the timeline.
• Offer one clear next step.
• Create excitement, not urgency.

When you approach inquiries this way, you’re not just booking projects — you’re building trust, connection, and the foundation of a great client relationship.

If you’d like to make this process even easier, we offer email templates, workflows, and client experience tools inside our shop at withgraceandgold.com/shop — and everything we create is designed to help you work more confidently and purposefully as a small business owner.

Thank you for tuning in to Brand It, Build It Podcast. I’m so glad you’re here — and I’ll be back next week with even more strategy, encouragement, and support to help you grow your small business with clarity and confidence.

Brand It, Build It Podcast, Hosted by Kelly Zugay

Hosted by Kelly Zugay, co-founder of With Grace and Gold, The Brand It, Build It Podcast is the best small business marketing podcast for small business owners, creatives, and founders. Weekly, brief, actionable episodes will equip you to build a successful, sustainable small business. Since 2014, With Grace and Gold has provided award-winning custom brand and Showit web design and completely customizable Showit website templates for small businesses worldwide.