A needlework sampler isn’t a full tapestry. It’s not the finished product someone hangs above the fireplace.
It’s a showcase of skill.
A window into your craft.
A carefully chosen set of threads that demonstrate technique, style, and intention.
Historically, samplers were a way for makers to learn, teach, and prove capability without giving away the whole garment. Each stitch held purpose—part education, part invitation.
That’s exactly what a paid discovery call should be.
Not a full solution.
Not a full plan.
But a clear, intentional glimpse into how you think, how you work, and whether you're the right fit for what comes next.
It’s enough to say:
“This is what working with me feels like—if it’s useful already, imagine what we could build together.”
Hi Emma,
I appreciate writing this post in response to my question, and I'm happy this conversation would lead to your Discovery Call Notion tool.
You're the second person to recommend that I shouldn't do Free Discovery calls, especially because they drain the coach's time and energy.
One question keeps burning: Do you think people will pay $37 for a Discovery Call? And how much clarity should we then give?
Please keep sharing updates about the new tool, I think it would be a great tool for coaches.
Thanks for the wonderful, short, and insightful read.
Hi Amer,
Thank you so much for circling back and for such a thoughtful reflection.
You’re asking exactly the right questions.
Will people pay $37 for a Discovery Call?
Yes—when it's positioned clearly as a paid clarity session with a defined outcome, not a vague “let’s chat.”
The real shift isn’t in pricing—it’s in how we frame the offer.
And how much clarity should we give?
Enough to deliver a breakthrough, not a business plan.
The point is to be generous within a boundary, not to prove our worth in 30 minutes.
I’ll be sharing more soon as I build the Discovery Call Notion system—it’s designed to help with exactly these tensions:
→ What to include,
→ How to hold space without overgiving,
→ And how to turn helpful into sustainable.
So grateful for your curiosity—it really did spark something worthwhile.
—Emma
I took a screenshot of this comment. I want to keep referring to it. I can't thank you enough for this advice. 🏆
A Discovery Call Is Like a Needlework Sampler
A needlework sampler isn’t a full tapestry. It’s not the finished product someone hangs above the fireplace.
It’s a showcase of skill.
A window into your craft.
A carefully chosen set of threads that demonstrate technique, style, and intention.
Historically, samplers were a way for makers to learn, teach, and prove capability without giving away the whole garment. Each stitch held purpose—part education, part invitation.
That’s exactly what a paid discovery call should be.
Not a full solution.
Not a full plan.
But a clear, intentional glimpse into how you think, how you work, and whether you're the right fit for what comes next.
It’s enough to say:
“This is what working with me feels like—if it’s useful already, imagine what we could build together.”