Networking is exhausting. Honestly, walking into a room full of strangers and trying to justify your existence in thirty seconds or less feels like a job interview where nobody actually wants to hire you. Most of us default to the "So, what do you do?" script. It's boring. It's safe. It's also the fastest way to make someone's eyes glaze over. But there is a weirdly effective psychological pivot that people are starting to use on LinkedIn and at trade shows—the ask me about it strategy.
It sounds simple. Maybe too simple? But here is the thing: human curiosity is a biological imperative. When you put a "Ask me about [Topic]" badge on or include it in your digital bio, you aren't just sharing information. You're creating a gap. A loop that the other person’s brain desperately wants to close.
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The Psychology of the Open Loop
Think about the last time you saw a "Coming Soon" trailer that didn't show the monster. You stayed until the end, right? That is the Zeigarnik effect in action. Our brains remember uncompleted or interrupted tasks better than completed ones. By using a phrase like ask me about it, you are intentionally creating an uncompleted social task.
Most people blurt out their entire resume before the other person has even finished shaking their hand. That’s a closed loop. There is nowhere for the conversation to go because you’ve already provided all the answers. If you tell me you’re a "Strategic Marketing Consultant with 15 years of experience in the SaaS space," I say "Oh, cool," and then I look for the exit.
But if your badge says "Ask me about the time I lost $50,000 on a single Facebook ad," I am going to stand there until you tell me the story. I have to. It’s physically uncomfortable not to know.
Why Traditional Elevators Pitches Are Dying
The elevator pitch was designed for a world where information was scarce. You had thirty seconds to tell a VP what you did because they couldn't just Google you later. In 2026, information is everywhere. I don’t need you to tell me your job title; I can see it on your profile before we even meet.
We crave authenticity now. We want the "behind the scenes" stuff. The ask me about it framework works because it invites a specific story rather than a generic summary. It shifts the power dynamic. Instead of you "selling" yourself, you are inviting the other person to "buy" into a conversation.
Real-World Examples That Actually Work
You can’t just say "ask me about it" regarding something boring. It has to be a hook. Here are some variations that high-level consultants and founders are using right now:
- The Failure Hook: "Ask me about my biggest product flop." (People love vulnerability).
- The Hyper-Specific Result: "Ask me how we hit 10k users with $0 ad spend."
- The Personal Oddity: "Ask me about my obsession with 18th-century clock repair."
- The Industry Hot Take: "Ask me why I think SEO is moving to 'Answer Engine Optimization'."
Notice how these aren't just statements. They are lures. If you're a real estate agent, don't say you're a real estate agent. Put "Ask me about the house with the secret basement" on your card. Suddenly, you're the most interesting person in the room.
Implementing This on LinkedIn and Social Media
Your "About" section on LinkedIn is usually a graveyard of buzzwords. "Synergistic leader," "Passionate about growth," "Results-driven." It's white noise.
Try this instead. At the very end of your headline or the first line of your bio, put a call to action. "Currently building a niche AI agency—ask me about it."
What happens? You’ll see your "Who viewed my profile" numbers tick up. When people do reach out, they don't send a generic "I'd like to add you to my professional network" message. They actually ask the question. You’ve given them a script. Most people are shy; they want you to tell them what to talk about. By providing that prompt, you're doing them a favor.
The "Ask Me About It" Rule for Events
If you are heading to a conference, the standard lanyard is your enemy. It’s just your name and company. If you have the option, or if there is a "Hello My Name Is" sticker, use the bottom half.
I once saw a guy at a tech conference whose badge just said "Ask me about the llamas."
Was he in the llama business? No. He was a cloud architect. But he owned a llama farm on the weekends. He had a line of people waiting to talk to him all day. Once the llama conversation finished, he naturally transitioned into his actual work. He made more connections in six hours than most people do in three days because he understood that the ask me about it prompt is about breaking the ice, not selling the product.
The Nuance of the Follow-Up
You can't just have the hook; you need the story. If someone actually asks you, you need a tight, 60-second narrative that delivers on the promise.
If your hook is "Ask me about the $50k mistake," don't ramble for twenty minutes about market volatility. Tell them what happened, what you learned, and how it makes you better at what you do now. The story is the payoff. If the payoff sucks, you’ve lost the trust you just built.
When Not to Use This Strategy
Is it always appropriate? No.
If you're at a funeral, maybe don't wear a "Ask me about my crypto gains" pin. Context matters. In high-stakes, formal corporate environments, you might want to dial it back. But even in a formal pitch deck, an "Ask me about our Phase 4 projections" slide can keep the Board of Directors engaged during a dry presentation.
It’s about intentional curiosity.
Actionable Steps for Your Own Brand
Stop being a list of skills. Start being a collection of interesting hooks.
- Identify your "Thing": What is the one story you tell at dinner parties that always gets a laugh or a gasp? That is your ask me about it topic. It doesn't even have to be related to your job. It just has to be interesting enough to start a conversation.
- Update your Digital Footprint: Go to your X (Twitter) or LinkedIn bio right now. Remove one "expert in X" phrase and replace it with a specific prompt. "Ask me about my 30-day no-sugar experiment" or "Ask me why I'm pivoting to Web4."
- Test the Hook: Try it out at your next Zoom mixer or local meetup. See which prompts actually get people to bite. If no one asks, the hook isn't sharp enough. Refine it.
- Master the Pivot: Practice moving from your "fun" story back to your professional value proposition. "So yeah, that’s how I ended up with a llama in my kitchen. It actually taught me a lot about unexpected crisis management, which is what I do now for startups..."
The goal isn't to be a gimmick. The goal is to be memorable in a world that is increasingly forgettable. By using the ask me about it method, you're handing people the keys to a conversation they actually want to have.
Final Practical Insight
The most successful people in business aren't always the smartest; they’re often just the ones who are the easiest to talk to. Using a phrase like ask me about it removes the friction of social interaction. It gives the other person permission to be curious.
Next time you’re updating your email signature, add a P.S. line. "P.S. I’m currently reading [Controversial Book]—ask me about it." You’ll be surprised how many replies you get that have nothing to do with the email body and everything to do with that one little line. That is how real relationships start.
Stop pitching. Start prompting.