By Werner J
I recently attended a sales demo, and within an hour, the salesperson used the word ‘obviously’ more than 50 times!
This isn’t a dealbreaker, and the other person may not have even noticed it, but as salespeople, words are our weapons, so let’s use our words wisely.
With this in mind, I put together a list of eight ‘sales swear words’ that should be avoided like the plague:
1. “Obviously”
Nothing is so obvious to your prospects that you should use this word. Avoid this word at all costs when demoing.
2. “Basically”
Similar to “obviously,” it can sound like you’re dumbing down the explanation.
3. “Honestly / Frankly”
Saying “honestly” or “frankly” can imply that you weren’t being honest before. It can also sound like you’re lecturing rather than conversing.
4. “Just”
“I just wanted to…” or “I’m just following up…” makes your message sound weaker and almost apologetic. It can undermine the importance of what you’re saying.
5. “Actually”
This can come across as confrontational or correcting, especially when used to respond to a prospect’s point. It’s better to focus on ‘bridging’ language like “Good point, and something to consider is…”
6. “Should”
Telling a prospect what they “should” do can feel patronising or pushy, as though you’re dictating the next steps. Rather, consider subtle recommendations (“It might be worth considering…”).
7. "No problem"
Most people use the phrase “no problem”, but it can subtly suggest that a prospect’s request might have been a problem. A more positive phrasing is “Certainly”, “Sure”, “Sounds good” etc.
8. "To be fair"
This can sound defensive and imply that the conversation has some underlying blame or doubt.
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