Struggling to spark real conversations in your business development community? Experience Share posts invite members to reflect, connect, and learn from each other. Use these templates to unlock authentic stories and create a thriving, engaged group.
Get personalized templates for your community in seconds
Experience Share content taps into our natural desire to connect through stories. When members are invited to share personal journeys or challenges, they feel seen and valued, fostering trust and belonging. This reflective approach inspires empathy, making the community a safe space for vulnerability and growth.
Storytelling also helps surface diverse perspectives and actionable insights. By encouraging members to reflect on their own business development experiences, you create learning opportunities and inspire others. This method not only deepens engagement but also empowers members to contribute meaningfully, building a stronger community.
Share a time when a business partnership taught you a valuable lesson.
💡 Example: "Last year, a joint venture fell through but taught me to clarify roles upfront."
What is the biggest risk you have taken in business development? How did it turn out?
💡 Example: "I left a stable job to start my agency. It was tough, but now I have a thriving client base."
Tell us about a cold outreach that exceeded your expectations.
💡 Example: "I once emailed a CEO on LinkedIn and landed a major contract."
Describe a business development challenge you overcame and what you learned.
💡 Example: "Breaking into new markets was hard, but local partnerships made all the difference."
Have you ever lost a deal that taught you something important?
💡 Example: "Losing a big client showed me the need for better follow-up."
Share a strategy that helped you build a lasting business relationship.
💡 Example: "Regular check-ins and sending helpful articles kept my connections warm."
When did you realize business development was the right path for you?
💡 Example: "After closing my first deal, I knew this was my calling."
What is one business development mistake you will never repeat?
💡 Example: "I once ignored follow-up emails. Now, I always respond within 24 hours."
Share a time when networking opened an unexpected door for you.
💡 Example: "A coffee meeting led to a referral for my biggest client ever."
What has been your most rewarding business development project so far?
💡 Example: "Launching a partnership program that doubled our leads was a proud moment."
How do you handle rejection or setbacks in business development?
💡 Example: "I treat every 'no' as a learning opportunity and move on quickly."
Tell us about a mentor who shaped your business development journey.
💡 Example: "My first manager taught me the art of listening to clients."
Share a small win that made a big impact on your business.
💡 Example: "A simple thank you note led to a long-term client relationship."
What is one tool or resource that changed how you approach business development?
💡 Example: "CRM software helped me organize and track my outreach better."
Describe a situation where you had to pivot your business strategy.
💡 Example: "When COVID hit, we shifted our focus to digital services."
What advice would you give your younger self about business development?
💡 Example: "Start building relationships early and do not be afraid to ask for help."
Share a story about a time you successfully turned a 'no' into a 'yes'.
💡 Example: "After months of follow-up, a client finally signed thanks to a tailored proposal."
Have you ever taken a creative approach to closing a deal?
💡 Example: "I once hosted a workshop to show value before pitching my services."
What is the most important lesson you have learned from a failed deal?
💡 Example: "Assumptions can kill deals. Always clarify client needs early."
Share a time when you helped someone else in their business development journey.
💡 Example: "I introduced a peer to my network, and it led to their first big client."
How do you keep yourself motivated during tough business cycles?
💡 Example: "I set small weekly goals and celebrate every win, no matter how minor."
Have you ever made a connection that changed your business direction?
💡 Example: "A chance meeting at a conference led to a complete rebrand."
Share an example of how you handled a difficult client.
💡 Example: "By listening patiently, I turned an unhappy client into a loyal advocate."
What is your go-to method for starting conversations with potential partners?
💡 Example: "I always start with a question about their recent projects."
Has a business book or podcast ever inspired a breakthrough for you?
💡 Example: "Listening to 'The Sales Evangelist' changed my sales process."
Share a lesson you learned from an unexpected source.
💡 Example: "My barista's approach to customer service inspired me to personalize outreach."
What was your proudest moment in business development?
💡 Example: "Securing a national partnership after months of work was my proudest moment."
Describe a time when you faced ethical dilemmas in business development.
💡 Example: "I walked away from a deal that required bending the truth."
How do you celebrate closing a big deal?
💡 Example: "I take my team out for coffee to mark every win."
What is the best piece of advice you have received about business development?
💡 Example: "Always be genuinely curious about your clients' needs."
Share a moment when data analytics changed your business approach.
💡 Example: "Tracking conversion rates showed me where to focus my outreach."
Have you ever turned a competitor into a collaborator? How?
💡 Example: "We joined forces with a rival for a co-branded event."
What is your favorite icebreaker when meeting new business contacts?
💡 Example: "I ask about the most surprising thing in their LinkedIn profile."
Share an experience where patience paid off in business development.
💡 Example: "A client took two years to decide, but the deal was well worth the wait."
Describe a time when you had to step outside your comfort zone for growth.
💡 Example: "Cold calling was terrifying, but it helped me build resilience."
What is one thing you wish more people knew about business development?
💡 Example: "It is more about building trust than selling."
Share a story about winning a client with a creative pitch.
💡 Example: "I used a custom video to showcase our value and won the deal."
Tell us how you manage work-life balance during busy times.
💡 Example: "I block out evenings for family, no matter what."
Have you received feedback that changed how you approach deals?
💡 Example: "A client suggested shorter proposals, and my close rate improved."
What motivates you to keep building new business relationships?
💡 Example: "I love learning from others and discovering new opportunities."
Share an example of when you learned from a client's feedback.
💡 Example: "A client asked for more frequent updates, so I improved my communication."
Choose a template that fits your current theme or challenge. Post it as a discussion starter in your community, either as a standalone thread, a weekly prompt, or part of a themed series. Encourage responses by commenting yourself and tagging members who might have relevant experiences. Rotate the prompts regularly to keep the conversation fresh and inclusive.
These templates work across all platforms. Adapt length for channel constraints, add visuals where possible, and use community features like pinning or hashtags for visibility. Encourage replies, not just likes, to deepen the conversation.
It is a prompt that asks members to share personal stories or reflections related to business development, fostering connection and learning.
Aim for once a week or as part of regular themed discussions to maintain engagement and avoid repetition.
Yes, they are designed for all platforms and can be adapted for in-person meetups or digital communities.
Tag members, model vulnerability by sharing your own story, and highlight diverse responses to show all voices are valued.
Set clear community guidelines, moderate discussions respectfully, and remind members to be supportive and constructive.
Track comments, likes, and qualitative feedback. Look for increased depth and diversity of member participation.
Absolutely. Adapt wording or focus areas to better reflect your community's unique interests and needs.