avatarAldric Chen

Summary

The article discusses humorous and ineffective sales pitches encountered on LinkedIn, reflecting on the importance of professionalism in sales communications.

Abstract

The author of the article humorously recounts various sales pitches received on LinkedIn that range from the overly familiar use of "sweetheart" to the grandiose claims of being a top salesperson for a decade. These pitches often lead to amusement rather than the intended serious business engagement. The article emphasizes the importance of professionalism on LinkedIn, suggesting that while a casual approach may be acceptable, maintaining a business-casual demeanor is crucial for successful sales interactions. The author concludes by encouraging readers to share their thoughts and to connect professionally on LinkedIn.

Opinions

  • The author finds funny sales pitches more entertaining than annoying ones, particularly those that use standard templates.
  • Attempts at humor in sales pitches can sometimes cross the line from professional to hilarious.
  • Using terms of endearment like "sweetheart" in a professional context is inappropriate and can be perceived as unprofessional.
  • Mispronunciation or misspelling of names in sales pitches shows a lack of attention to detail and can be off-putting.
  • Overly confident claims about being a top salesperson and guarantees of high investment returns are viewed as laughable and unrealistic.
  • The author believes that LinkedIn, being a professional platform, should be used to maintain a level of professionalism akin to "business casual Friday."
  • The article suggests that unprofessional sales pitches can lead to wasted efforts and prospects dismissing the salesperson due to lack of professionalism or the comedic nature of the pitch.
  • The author values simplicity and clarity in communication, which adds value and aids in growth, and is critical of sales pitches that lack these qualities.

Hilarious pitches on Linkedin! Are you tickled at all?

Sometimes, I just can’t help laughing out loud.

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

I apologise for this.

At the same time, I often wonder if sales professionals do carry themselves that way in the real world.

I have to admit — Funny sales pitches are often much entertaining than annoying ones, especially those with a standard template.

At the very least, it makes me want to scroll all the down in order to finish reading.

Annoying ones don’t have that effect — I will just exit the conversation.

I often wonder if people are trying too hard, and often times when they do that — They cross the line from being initially professional to eventually hilarious.

Funny Sales Pitch # 1 — “Hey Sweetheart …”

I typically laugh out loud when I get to the second word.

Everytime, without fail.

While others will be offended when they read this — I don’t.

Maybe because I am a guy and I find it hilarious that someone calls me a sweetheart.

I would go visit the connection’s profile and check their gender.

I would wonder if this connection is a guy and would he be shocked to know that I am a guy?

Trust me, I do also check the culture of the country they are from just to find out … if “sweetheart” is used indiscriminately.

After asking my friends based in different countries, the answer is pretty standard.

“NO”.

So, please.

Drop the “sweetheart”.

It helps you.

I assure you I feel better when I speak to you as well.

Funny Sales Pitch # 2 — “Hi Uldrich / Hi Aldrich / Hi Adric / Hi Alaric / Hi Adric …”

I am often fascinated by the complexity of my 6-letter name.

Sometimes, I doubt myself too.

“Is Aldric just too unique that many sales professionals got it wrong?”

And I do review my profile from time to time just to ensure that my name is updated to the correct spelling.

The biggest fascination comes when I brought this up over a coffee chat.

Friend: “No Aldric, this circumstance is not unique to you and in that sense, your name is not twisted because it is unique.”

Me: “Oh, really? How are you addressed over Linkedin?”

Friend: “There are many and they may include Al, All, Aloy, Alloy, Lo, Loy, Losius, Allosius, Alla, Aladdin, Alphos … “

Me: “Alphos? What’s that? I never knew that is a name!”

Friend: “I thought so too.”

Funny Sales Pitch # 3 — “I am the Top Salesperson in the Industry for 10 years and YOU NEED THIS NOW!”

I must say this one catches me ALL THE TIME.

Truthfully, if we just got connected — This is pretty over the top for me.

I mean, thanks for telling me that you are the Top Salesperson in the industry and I don’t think I need to know that for now … and certainly I do not need to know that you are stuck in the same industry for 10 years …

We barely spoke. How would you know that I need this horses**t?

Please.

Stop making me laugh.

Funny Sales Pitch # 4 — “Life is short and time flies by. Let’s chat!”

I admire their guts for saying this.

That’s because I just can’t.

When I see this at the end of the sales pitch direct message, I often wonder if this connection is wildly successful in terms of lead conversion online.

Honestly, if my life is indeed short because I am Achilles and I am in a hurry to collect as many trophies as I can while being alive, what makes you think I will spend my time chatting with you!?

Funny Sales Pitch # 5 — “I personally guarantee to make you 100% returns in 3 months! Invest your money with me!

This is another laughing bomb.

For a minute.

And then I think …

Like What-The-Heck.

Seriously.

I wonder whether professional money managers do that.

Hey guys / girls … please remember. We just got connected. Why would I turn my money to you?

And IF the investment product or service is THIS GOOD, why does it sound like my connection is trying to borrow money?

Why are they making a personal guarantee?

That is utter fascination.

The best part comes after I said “No”.

The connection’s response was …

“OH MY GOD, YOU ARE INCREDIBLY STUPID. WHY WOULD YOU NOT WANT THIS?!”

And my connection disconnected with me.

Thank goodness … ?

Thank goodness!

My Takeaway.

Sales pitches are important because they set the tone and stage for the future transaction.

Yes, I get that.

I get that because I am also in the business of getting sales transactions.

However, there are always much better ways to get things done.

I don’t think anyone of us would appreciate wasted efforts on our end, especially due to prospects writing you off for lack-of-professionalism?

Or writing us off because we sound funny?

Linkedin is a professional platform.

Let’s be professional.

While we can be informal and colloquial, just remember this is like business casual Friday.

Formal shirts out, polo-tees in.

Stay professional!

Related Stories from the Author.

About the Author:

As a Consultant by training, I believe in making the complex simple.

Because simplicity adds value.

Simplicity helps us gain clarity, and clarity helps us to grow.

And if we are not growing, then what’s the point of anything else?

What do you think about the article? Comment Below!

Do reach out and say hi on Linkedin!

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