The Art of the Invitation · Part 5
When they're interested
Answer the question they asked, bring in a leader when it helps, and hold the private 30-minute call.
Someone replied. This is where the VIP method brings in its next step: once a person is interested, a private 30-minute introduction with the guest, the person who invited them, and an Encounter leader. Both live invitation pages describe it that way.
Answer what they asked
Ask what caught their attention and answer that question first. Here's the wording from the Málaga training, which is available in the Community if you haven't seen it yet:
When they want to know more
“What stood out to you? I can answer that, and if you'd like to go through the business side, we can bring [leader] into the conversation.”
It's fine to be learning
You don't need every answer before you start. The training encourages honesty about what you're still learning, and introducing someone who can help.
Bringing in a leader
“I'm learning this part too. [Name] is on our team and has experience with it. Let's bring her in so you can get a clear answer.”
Before the call
Tell your leader what the person is interested in and what they've already seen. That brief lets the leader start where the guest is instead of from the beginning.
Make it yours
- What is your guest most curious about?
- What have they already looked at?
- Which time zone are they in?
For example: “Hi, my friend Clara is mainly interested in the travel. She's watched the invitation and asked about group trips. She's free Thursday evening Madrid time.”
How the call runs
The VIP method keeps the call simple. About five minutes of introductions in total, then the shared video, then questions. The guest decides afterwards, and if they join, they enroll through the inviter's MWR route.
You stay on the call. You made the connection, and the guest trusts you. The leader handles the questions you can't answer yet, and you learn by watching.
After the call
Notice which questions came up, how they were answered, and what next step you all agreed. If the timing isn't right for them, leave the relationship in a good place. The training is direct about this: don't manufacture urgency.
For leaders
Open with the person. Ask the guest how they know your member and let them tell the story. Keep introductions to about five minutes in total. Your member is learning by watching you, so how you run this call is the training.
Open with the person
“[Guest], it's lovely to meet you. How do you and [member] know each other?”
Make it yours
- How would you actually say this? Shift the words to how you really talk, the way you would in a text to this person.
- How do you naturally open a call with someone new?
- What's the short version of your own story?
For example: “Clara, it's lovely to meet you. Sofia tells me you two met on a cooking course in Lisbon. How did that happen?”
Sources
- Encounter digital invitations: English at encounterlife.netlify.app and Dutch at invite.encounterlife.world/nl/vip.
- Encounter team training in Málaga, "An invitation worth sharing," 9 October 2026. Available in the Community.