A simple way to get clearer answers, faster — without feeling awkward, pushy, or “too basic.”
The fastest way to get value from a webinar is to show up with a question that someone can actually answer. That means you bring context, you name the decision you’re trying to make, and you keep it specific enough to fit in a real-life business.
Most “bad” webinar questions aren’t bad because the person asking is clueless. They’re bad because the question is too big, too vague, or secretly three questions in a trench coat.
This post fixes that.
You can browse upcoming sessions and replays here: Weekly webinars + replays
The most common webinar question problems (and how to fix them)
Problem 1: The question is too broad
Examples:
- “How do I market my books?”
- “How do I grow my audience?”
- “What’s the best way to do ads?”
These are real problems. They’re also unanswerable in a webinar Q&A because they don’t have a defined start point or a measurable finish.
Fix it by narrowing the question to one decision.
Better:
- “I have a backlist of 6 books. I’m choosing between focusing on email or ads first. Which one has the highest payoff in the next 60 days?”
- “I want to grow my newsletter. I’m deciding between a reader magnet or a giveaway swap. Which one fits a small list and limited time?”
- “I’m starting ads. I need help deciding what I should track in week one so I don’t drown in data.”
Problem 2: The question has no context
If the instructor has to guess your genre, platform, business model, or goals, they’ll give you a generic answer. Generic answers are how you end up with 47 notes and zero progress.
Fix it with three “context crumbs”:
- What you’re trying to do
- What tool/platform you’re using
- What outcome you want
Example:
“I’m trying to set up a welcome sequence in FluentCRM. I’m stuck on what to send after the freebie email. I want readers to click to my series page.”
Now someone can actually help you.
Problem 3: You’re asking for validation, not a decision
This one is sneaky. It sounds like a question, but it’s really you asking permission.
Examples:
- “Am I doing this right?”
- “Is this a good idea?”
- “What do you think about my plan?”
Fix it by naming the decision point.
Better:
- “I have two launch plans. One is a quick launch with email + socials. One adds a paid promo stack. Which one fits a small budget and a short runway?”
- “I’m choosing between these two tag structures in my CRM. Which one will be easier to maintain long-term?”
The best question format (steal this)
Use this template. It works in live webinars, in replay notes, and in the community.
“I’m trying to . I’m stuck at . I need help deciding __.”
Here are a few examples that get strong answers fast:
- “I’m trying to pick a direct sales platform. I’m stuck between Shopify and WooCommerce. I need help deciding based on simplicity and support.”
- “I’m trying to set up an onboarding workflow. I’m stuck on what triggers make sense. I need help deciding the simplest version that still works.”
- “I’m trying to run Amazon ads. I’m stuck on keyword targeting vs product targeting. I need help deciding what to test first.”
That format keeps you out of ramble territory and gives the instructor a clear job: help you decide the next move.
The “one question” rule (because your brain will try to sneak in five)
Webinar time is limited. If you ask five questions, you’ll get five half-answers.
Instead, pick the one question that unlocks the next step.
If you’re not sure which one that is, ask yourself:
“What decision, if I made it today, would make everything else easier?”
That’s the question you bring.
What to do if you feel weird asking “basic” questions
Basic questions are not the problem. Vague questions are the problem.
Most authors aren’t stuck because they lack intelligence. They’re stuck because tools are complicated, publishing advice is contradictory, and everyone is tired.
Ask the question anyway. Just make it specific.
If you want a safety net, post your question inside Campus first and let the community help you tighten it. That’s exactly what the space is for.
Jump into the community here: Go to Campus
What to do when the answer doesn’t fully apply
Sometimes the instructor gives a good answer that doesn’t quite fit your setup. That’s normal. It usually means you need one of these:
- A tool walkthrough (so you can see how it works in practice)
- A deeper training (so you can build the whole system)
- A quick follow-up question with better context
Here are the “use this next” options:
If your question is really “where is the button and what does it do,” use a product tour:
Product tours (Tech Tools)
If your question is really “I need the full workflow,” use a course:
Course marketplace
If your question is really “I want the framework without the 300-page reading assignment,” grab a summary:
Book Club Summaries
A quick checklist to bring to every webinar
Use this and you’ll show up prepared without overthinking it:
- My one question is written in the template format
- I included my tool/platform (if relevant)
- I know what outcome I want
- I’m asking for a decision, not a general opinion
- I’m ready to take one next step within 24 hours
Browse upcoming sessions and replays here: Weekly webinars + replays
Start Here (use this if you’re brand new)
Quick-start plan (15 minutes total):
1) Pick one webinar replay that solves a current problem: Weekly webinars + replays
2) Watch one product tour for a tool you already use: Product tours (Tech Tools)
3) Read one book club summary and steal one idea for this week: Book Club Summaries
Ready to jump in?
Join the community here: Go to Campus
If you don’t have an account yet, register here: Create your free account
If you’re having an account or technical issue, this is the right place: Technical support