Customer research interview request
A product team or founder asking existing customers or users for a 20-minute interview to understand how they work. It promises no pitch and keeps the promise.
- Category:
- Meeting request
- Length:
- 72 words
Subject line options
- 20 minutes to shape {{product}}?
- Could I ask how you use {{product}}?
The email
Hi {{first_name}},
I work on {{product}}, and I'm trying to understand how teams like yours handle {{workflow}}.
Would you be up for a 20-minute video call? I'd ask how you do it today and what gets in the way. There's no pitch and nothing to prepare, and I won't share anything you say outside our product team.
As a thank-you, {{thank_you}}.
If you're up for it, pick a time here: {{booking_link}}
{{your_name}}Highlighted {{placeholders}} are the parts to replace. If you cannot fill one with something true and specific, cut the sentence rather than leaving it generic.
When to use it
Use it for discovery interviews with current customers, churned customers or active free users. Pick people based on behaviour you want to understand, not just your most enthusiastic users.
Keep every promise in the email. If you say no pitch, do not mention upgrades on the call. If you offer a thank-you, send it the same day.
Why it works
- It tells people what they are agreeing to. Topic, length, format and what happens to what they say.
- "Nothing to prepare" removes the hidden cost. Many people decline research calls because they assume homework.
- A modest thank-you shows you value their time. A gift card or an account credit is fine. Keep it proportionate so it does not attract people who only want the reward.
Before you send
Customer lists drift: people leave, accounts get shared, inboxes close. If you are sending to a segment exported from your product, run it through the free list check first so your invites reach real people and your bounce rate stays clean.