Lately, I’ve become more cautious about using the yes-set in writing.
Oh, and for anyone new to the term, the yes-set is a persuasion technique where you ask questions that lead the reader to keep saying “yes,” so they’re more likely to agree with your next point.
You’ve seen it everywhere, like those intros that begin with:
“Are you tired of…?”
“Have you ever struggled with…?”
“Are you scared of…?”
Many AI content tools default to this pattern. Ad copies, article intros, social media posts, landing pages, and newsletters follow the same formula. It’s common because it feels conversational.
And that’s the problem.
This framing assumes too much.
It relies on the hope that your reader is in the current emotional state your question targets.
If they’re not, and subconsciously say ‘NO,’ you’ve lost them before the message begins.
That’s why this approach often stalls the narrative. Instead of drawing the reader in, it forces them to evaluate.
Instead of showing them that you understand their world, it asks them to do the work of relating.
That’s a risky way to open any message.
A better alternative is to start with a realistic moment. Something the reader might recognize even if they aren’t living it right now.
If you describe it clearly enough, you don’t need to ask if they’ve been there. They’ll know and keep reading.
And the best part? Even if they’re not ready now, you’ve already planted something they’ll return to when they are.
So if engagement, trust, and long-term relevance are vital to your writing, be careful with the yes-set. There are better ways to be understood.
Have examples of this done well? Comment them below.