Here are the top three things you should avoid doing in a sales pitch.
Choose your words carefully.
Whenever I see the words “Magic Formula,” “Killer Strategy,” “Touch base,” or “Win-Win,” I know I’m being sold something. It might be the best product in the world, but these words always rub me the wrong way. I know I’m being given a hard sell. I usually just delete the message.
Also, as I said in a previous blog post, please refrain from saying “I hope you are doing well.” We’re in a pandemic! It’s like giving someone a fake smile.
Do your homework!
If you start the pitch by addressing me by the wrong name, spelling my name incorrectly, or you get my company name wrong, I’m going to ignore you. I can’t tell you how many emails I get that are addressed to the company I closed five years ago. Also, if you ask if I am the decision maker then you clearly don’t know anything about my company.
A personalized and well written email or LinkedIn message that comes from someone who has clearly been to my website always gets my attention.
One last thing. Please don’t pitch me the second you connect with me on LinkedIn! At the very least get to know me a bit first. Like a few posts. Share a few. THEN connect with a personal note.
Know what your potential client does for a living.
Just the other day I received an email from someone who wanted to show me how to write my first book. To date? I’ve written four. Working on the fifth. So yes, I deleted that one.
Until next time!
Katharine
