---
title: Use Yes Or No Questions Sparingly to Get Better Information
description: If you ask too many yes/no questions, you'll soon sound like an interrogator or census taker. Here's why you'll want to use fewer of these questions.
image: https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/hubfs/319%20-%20Nodding%20Yes-1.svg
---

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 November 16, 2016

# Use Yes Or No Questions Sparingly to Get Better Information

[PFPS](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/author/rca532)  ·   1 minute read

The point of any needs assessment is to get actionable information from your buyers. Yes Or No Questions don't yield as much actionable information as other kinds of questions do.

Over the next four weeks, we'll review the additional types of questions sellers should use with care. Use these tips during the needs assessment phase of your sales process (or any time you're asking about buyer needs). To err on the side of caution, sellers should consider their own strategic intent before asking these types of questions.

### **Yes Or No Questions**

In selling, closed-ended or "yes or no" questions do have very specific purposes to confirm or verify information. Asking a closed-ended question closes a topic and enables the buyer and seller to move on to the next one. [![cover for site 2015](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/cover-for-site-20151-200x300.jpg?width=145&height=218&name=cover-for-site-20151-200x300.jpg "yes-or-no-questions")](https://www.amazon.com/DISCOVER-Questions-Get-You-Connected/dp/098973790X)

Closed-ended questions can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” reply (which is why they're sometimes called "yes or no questions." They start with helper verbs like am, is, did, can, and have. They do not stimulate thought or yield long, involved answers. For this reason, they are less valuable to a seller who is working to understand buyer needs. They do not create value for a buyer who is interested in being challenged or for one who is looking for a seller’s help in sorting out the best solution.

When asked in rapid succession, a number of yes or no questions will sound like an interrogation. The volley of questions and short replies can seem intrusive and may cause a buyer to wonder about the seller’s intention. Additionally, closed-ended questions do a poor job of conveying curiosity and make it difficult for the seller to peel back layers of buyer needs for deeper level understanding.

For the seller who intends to fully understand buyer needs, closed-ended questions are much weaker than open-ended questions and command statements. Remember, open-ended questions start with who, what, where, when, why, which or how. Command statements start with “tell me more,” “describe,” “explain” and similar phrases.

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The CONNECT2Sell Blog has been discontinued as our focus has shifted to leadership at every level. Research with buyers demonstrates that buyers respond favorably when sellers show up as leaders. If you'd like to step into your full potential as a leader (and boost sales!), take a look at our free and affordable courses on [https://www.peoplefirstpotential.com](https://www.peoplefirstpotential.com/)

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### [Question-Based Selling Is Only As Good As the Questions Being Asked](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/question-based-selling)

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### [Leading with Questions VS Asking Leading Questions](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/leading-with-questions-vs-asking-leading-questions)

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Putting PEOPLE First since 2005 [deb.calvert@peoplefirstps.com](mailto:deb.calvert@peoplefirstps.com)

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