01Explicit asks (works in any market)
Someone is openly requesting a recommendation. The highest-converting signal there is.
- any recommendations for {category}
- what {category} do you use
- looking for a {category}
- best {category} for a small team
- need a {category} that can
- can anyone recommend a {category}
- what's the go-to {category} these days
- suggestions for {category}
02Active evaluation & comparison
They're mid-decision, weighing options. Reply now or lose them.
- {competitor} vs
- alternative to {competitor}
- is {competitor} worth it
- comparing {category} options
- tried {competitor} but
- trial ends next week
- anyone switched from {competitor}
- {competitor} or {competitor2}
03Pain + named tool
A specific tool is causing a specific problem — the perfect opening for a peer recommendation.
- {competitor} is too expensive
- {competitor} keeps crashing
- fed up with {competitor}
- {competitor} doesn't support
- {competitor} is overkill for
- hate how {competitor}
- {competitor} pricing just went up
- {competitor} missing {feature}
04Budget & timeline language
Money or a deadline is on the table — these are bottom-of-funnel buyers.
- we have a budget of
- need this by end of quarter
- before our renewal
- ready to pay for
- what does {category} cost
- is there a free {category}
- cheapest {category} that
- willing to switch if
05Switching & migration
Already leaving a competitor — catch them in motion.
- moving off {competitor}
- ripping out {competitor}
- want to replace {competitor}
- migrating from {competitor}
- canceling {competitor}
- how to export from {competitor}
- leaving {competitor} for
- done with {competitor}
06SaaS & B2B software (worked examples)
How the templates look filled in for common SaaS categories.
- any recommendations for a CRM
- alternative to HubSpot for a 3-person team
- best help desk for a small SaaS
- Apollo got too expensive, alternatives?
- looking for a no-code form builder
- what analytics tool do you use
- need a cheaper Zendesk replacement
- best AI writing tool for marketing
- scheduling tool that integrates with
- moving off Mailchimp, suggestions?