A client intake process is the systematic approach to gathering information from prospects or clients before your first substantive meeting. Instead of asking basic questions during discovery calls, a well-designed client intake process captures needs, priorities, and context upfront. This lets you focus meeting time on solutions rather than fact-finding. The best client intake processes balance comprehensiveness with respect for prospect time, gathering essential information without creating friction. Talkpoint helps you build a client intake process using structured scans that generate category scores and AI talking points. When you standardize your client intake process, every prospect provides the same information, making qualification and comparison straightforward. This consistency helps consultants scope engagements more accurately and helps sales teams position solutions more effectively.
How it works
From scan to conversation in three simple steps
Define intake criteria
Identify what information your client intake process needs to capture—budget, timeline, needs, decision process, stakeholders.
Create structured questions
Design questions for your client intake process that gather this information consistently and efficiently.
Automate and analyze
Use scans to automate your client intake process, generating scores and insights that prepare you for conversations.
What you get
Everything you need to start better sales conversations
Consistent qualification
Every prospect goes through the same client intake process, making comparison and prioritization straightforward.
Better prepared meetings
Your client intake process ensures you know needs, constraints, and priorities before you meet, saving time and improving outcomes.
Time savings
A structured client intake process eliminates redundant discovery questions, letting you focus on solutions during calls.
Team alignment
Share data from your client intake process with marketing and leadership so everyone sees the same qualification criteria.
Documented requirements
Your client intake process captures prospect needs in a format you can reference throughout the sales cycle.
Scalable approach
A well-designed client intake process handles volume without sacrificing quality or personalization.
When to use this
Common scenarios where this approach adds value
After initial contact
Implement your client intake process once a prospect shows interest but before committing to a detailed meeting.
Before proposals
Use your client intake process to gather detailed requirements that inform proposal development.
For account planning
Apply your client intake process to existing clients to identify expansion opportunities and renewal readiness.
During handoffs
Use your client intake process when passing leads between team members to preserve context and qualification data.
Example talking points
AI-generated conversation starters based on scan responses
- 1Your client intake process responses show budget is approved and timeline is Q2. Let's focus on implementation approach.
- 2I see from the client intake process that you're evaluating three solutions. What criteria will determine your final choice?
- 3The client intake process indicates integration is a priority. Can you walk me through your current tech stack?
- 4Multiple stakeholders are involved according to the client intake process. Should we include them in the next conversation?