Skip to content
All resources
Worksheet Outbound

Discovery Call Script & Scoring Sheet

Fifteen structured questions to ask on a sales call, plus a lead scoring sheet. Stop forgetting to ask about budget, timeline, and decision-makers.

Download PDF PDF · 3 pages
SK

Shezad Ali Khan

PDF · 3 pages

Professional on a discovery call

What this is

A three-page printable worksheet for freelancer sales calls. Page 1 has 15 structured questions organised by phase. Page 2 is a notes template. Page 3 is a lead scoring sheet to decide if the prospect is worth pursuing.

The 15 questions

Opening (2 min)

  1. What prompted you to reach out / take this call?
  2. What have you tried so far — and what happened?

Situation (5 min)

  1. What does your business do, and who is your ideal customer?
  2. What marketing are you currently doing — in-house, agency, or nothing?
  3. What’s working? What’s not?

Goals (5 min)

  1. What does success look like in 6 months?
  2. What is the one metric that matters most to your business right now?
  3. Is there a hard deadline driving this? (Launch, funding, seasonal peak)

Qualification (5 min)

  1. What budget range are you working with for this?
  2. Who else is involved in this decision?
  3. What’s your timeline for getting started?
  4. Have you spoken to other freelancers or agencies about this?

Fit check (3 min)

  1. Is there anything specific you’re looking for in the person/team you hire?
  2. What would make you say no to working together?
  3. What questions do you have for me?

Lead scoring sheet

Score each dimension 1–5 after the call:

Dimension1 (Low)5 (High)
Budget fitNo budget / unrealisticClear budget, matches your rates
Timeline”Someday""This month”
Decision makerTalking to an internTalking to the founder/CMO
Problem clarityVague, exploringSpecific problem, ready to solve
ChemistryDifficult communicationEasy rapport, aligned values

Total 20+ → Send proposal within 24 hours Total 14–19 → Follow up, clarify gaps Total under 14 → Politely decline or refer out

How to use it

  1. Print page 1 before the call — glance at questions, don’t read them robotically
  2. Take notes on page 2 during the call — capture exact phrases the client uses
  3. Score on page 3 immediately after hanging up — gut feel fades in 30 minutes
  4. Use the client’s own words in your proposal — it proves you listened

Version history

VersionDateNotes
2.0June 2026Added lead scoring sheet, restructured question order
1.0October 2025Initial release

Found this useful? There are more templates, spreadsheets, and playbooks in the library.

Browse all resources

07 / Get in touch

Let's
make
something
good.

Shezad

Replies personally within 24 hrs

No automation. No funnels. Read by me.