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All Ways of Asking Aren’t Equal 

The psychological difference between "Do you know anyone" and "Who do you know"

Member Communication

February 27, 2025

Steven Kryger

Let’s say you want to ask members to refer their friends or colleagues to join.

Here are two ways you could ask - which do you think is more effective?

Option 1: “Do you know anyone who might like to join?”
Option 2: “Who do you know who might like to join?”

The difference seems subtle, but it's psychologically powerful.

"Do you know anyone..." lets the brain take the easy way out. It interprets this as "Do such people exist?" followed by "Can I be bothered thinking about this?"

But "Who do you know..." triggers something different. This phrasing bypasses objections and prompts your brain to automatically scan your mental contact list.

Who do you know who might benefit from reading this?

Let’s say you want to ask members to refer their friends or colleagues to join.

Here are two ways you could ask - which do you think is more effective?

Option 1: “Do you know anyone who might like to join?”
Option 2: “Who do you know who might like to join?”

The difference seems subtle, but it's psychologically powerful.

"Do you know anyone..." lets the brain take the easy way out. It interprets this as "Do such people exist?" followed by "Can I be bothered thinking about this?"

But "Who do you know..." triggers something different. This phrasing bypasses objections and prompts your brain to automatically scan your mental contact list.

Who do you know who might benefit from reading this?

Let’s say you want to ask members to refer their friends or colleagues to join.

Here are two ways you could ask - which do you think is more effective?

Option 1: “Do you know anyone who might like to join?”
Option 2: “Who do you know who might like to join?”

The difference seems subtle, but it's psychologically powerful.

"Do you know anyone..." lets the brain take the easy way out. It interprets this as "Do such people exist?" followed by "Can I be bothered thinking about this?"

But "Who do you know..." triggers something different. This phrasing bypasses objections and prompts your brain to automatically scan your mental contact list.

Who do you know who might benefit from reading this?

The Lab Report

Insights every Wednesday for growing membership 🚀

✔︎ 3-minute reads on proven member engagement tactics

✔︎ Exclusive findings from our ongoing research

✔︎ Ready-to-use templates and frameworks

The Lab Report

Insights every Wednesday for growing membership 🚀

✔︎ 3-minute reads on proven member engagement tactics

✔︎ Exclusive findings from our ongoing research

✔︎ Ready-to-use templates and frameworks

The Lab Report

Insights every Wednesday for growing membership 🚀

✔︎ 3-minute reads on proven member engagement tactics

✔︎ Exclusive findings from our ongoing research

✔︎ Ready-to-use templates and frameworks

Recruit and retain more members.

GET THE LAB REPORT

Insights every Wednesday for growing membership.

Recruit and retain more members.

GET THE LAB REPORT

Insights every Wednesday for growing membership.

Recruit and retain more members.

GET THE LAB REPORT

Insights every Wednesday for growing membership.