The things you really want in life are often the most difficult to ask for. Best-selling author and speaker, ASK expert Laura Fredricks knows that, and she knows how to ask anyone for anything with comfort, confidence, and ease. After raising more than $1 billion for nonprofits, businesses, and individuals, Fredricks has developed an approach that works for anyone making a hard ask like:
*Asking for money
*Asking for love
*Asking for help
*Asking for forgiveness
These are just a few of the Asks Fredricks will show you how to navigate, using her 5 Laws on Asking and her never-fail ASK formula. She’ll also help you identify which type of asker you are and show you the advantages, challenges, and refinements with each type so that you can perfect your own asking style.
With a successful background in law and philanthropy--careers known for making the toughest and biggest asks, Fredricks has earned her reputation as the ASK expert, the go-to person businesses and individuals turn to for guidance. Hard Asks Made Easy is a must for anyone who wants to ask and get exactly what they need and deserve.
Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. The Ask—You Always Had It in You
Trust Your Instincts
Tackle the Two Devils
Push Away the Three Temptations
Takeaways
2. The Four Asking Types—Which Are You?
Overview of the Four Asking Types
Quiz Time
The Four Asking Types Quiz
Results
Type 1: The Negotiator
Type 2: The Empathizer
Type 3: The Presenter
Type 4: The Charmer
3. The Three Rules of Asking—Be Prepared, Be Personal, and Be Present
Know Your Audience
Select the Right Environment
Your Tone Is Your Superpower
Are You Listening—Really Listening?
Takeaways
4. Laura’s Five Laws of Asking—Law 1
Know Exactly What You Want, with Numbers and Dates
Organization, Stucture, Focus
5. Laura’s Five Laws of Asking—Law 2
Write Down Fifteen Things You Think the Person Will Say—and Then Write Down Your Response to Each One
6. Laura’s Five Laws of Asking—Law 3
Deliver with Confidence; It’s Time to Shine
7. Laura’s Five Laws of Asking—Law 4
Clarify What You Think You Heard
75 Percent / 25 Percent Rule
8. Laura’s Five Laws of Asking—Law 5
Plan Your Next Move at the End of the Ask
9. How to Ask the Tough Questions
Every Ask Needs to Be Two Sentences and One Question
The Ask for Help: Personal
The Ask for Help: Career
The Ask Is a Conversation, Not a Confrontation
How They Treat the Process Is How You Will Be Treated
The Ask for Money
Investment Ask
The Return-My-Money Ask
The Charitable Ask
The Ask Meeting: Always Let the Person Know It’s Not Just Coffee
Add or Subtract the Zeros—the Ask Is the Same
The Ask for Health
The Medical-Procedure Ask
The Prescription Ask
The Insurance Ask
The Ask for Spirituality
The Ask for Trust and Forgiveness
When the Answer Is No
10. Let’s Keep It Going
About the Author :
The ask expert, LAURA FREDRICKS, JD, trains and coaches individuals, businesses, and nonprofits on how to ask. She comes from successful careers in industries known for making the toughest and biggest asks—law and philanthropy. Laura’s Five Laws on Asking and her prior six books have helped hundreds of global executives, industry trailblazers, marketing and communication leaders, boards, fundraisers, entrepreneurs, teenagers, artists, philanthropists, and everyday people get their best professional and personal life possible, just by asking. She is the recipient of the Ralph E. Chamberlain Award for extraordinary leadership in the field of fundraising and lifetime of service to the profession and the New York Nonprofit Network’s 50 Over 50 Award for excellence in media and philanthropy.
Review :
"Ask this hard question: What can I do to bring happiness and fulfillment into my life? Get this easy answer: Read " Hard Asks Made Easy."
Jonathan E. Mitchell
Private investor, Philanthropist
"I used 'Laura's 5 Laws on Asking' and not only did I get the CEO position, I got the salary I wanted. What are you waiting for?"
Sarah Leonard
CEO, Steamboat Springs Chamber
"Laura empowers us all to overcome our fears before those hard conversations that we need to so often have in life. I hope all my patients read Hard Asks Made Easy because the more questions they ask me, the better I can serve them."
Armin M. Tehrany, MD
Founder, Manhattan Orthopedic Care and Precision Cut Productions
"Laura has taught me to ASK - to stand up for myself and stand firm. The skill of self-advocacy is priceless."
Caroline Baulig
Twenty years old
"Hard Asks Made Easy beautifully encompasses principles that I employ in my Upper West Side, NYC practice to help individuals, couples, and families heal relationships at home, improve them in the workplace, and build bridges to the outside world."
Patti German, ME.D., LMFT
Marriage and family therapist, NYC
"Hard Asks Made Easy has taught me to know my audience before skillfully delivering my ask which has made a world of difference for the success of my business. The skills I have gained from this book have also strengthened my partnership with patients. This is a MUST-READ!"
JoAn Monaco, MD, MS
Plastic and reconstructive surgeon, NYC
"In my working with people and their finances, as well as my role as one of the founding family members of the Ohr - O'Keefe Museum of Art, Laura's book has definitely taught me the Art of the Ask Conversation, so I can best serve my clients and museum supporters."
Justin O'Keefe, CLU, ChFC, CAP, LFD
CEO, and Founder, The Memorial Asset Protection Plan
"Laura is masterful at getting exactly what she wants. If you want to build the skills and confidence needed to get what you want, your first step is diving into Hard Asks Made Easy. "
Jessica Cunningham Akoto
CEO, KIPP Philadelphia Schools
"Hard Asks Mad e Easy reminds us how powerful asking can be. I love when my clients ask me the hard questions, it's the only way I can help them make their best financial decisions for themselves and their family."
Rorrie Gregorio
Partner, Family office leader, National accounting firm
