Stop Saying This - Part Nine (#81 - #90)

#81 - “Would you like some time to think about it?”

Delay kills sales as time substitutes emotions with rationale. You don’t want to push too hard, but you must lead them to the right conclusion with a carefully structured argument.

#82 - “Would you like a proposal/quote?”

You must close the deal before providing the quote or proposal. Then you send it.

#83 - “Can I send you an email?"

If you cannot close the deal in person or over the phone, you can’t close it via email. Only send the Email with a link to the payment.

#84 - “Are you looking to buy today?”

Of course, your customers are looking to buy or else they wouldn’t be with you. This question also risks a negative reply and it doesn’t make them feel good about buying. People hate being sold to, but they love to buy. Ask instead: “Where should we go from here?” After say “Congratulations, I look forward to working with you.”

#85 - “Haven't you ever been…”

Replace with the positive version: “Have you ever been…”

#86 - Adverbs

Replace adverbs with active verbs. Which paints a more vivid picture: “he closed the door firmly.” or “he slammed the door.” / “whisper” vs. “speak softly” / “sprint” vs. “run quickly” / “yell” vs. “speak loudly” Like when you use passive voice, using adverbs makes you come across as timid and unsure of what picture you want to paint. Writing clearer will lead to better CTAs, better landing pages, and better emails. Good writing hooks a reader’s attention and keeps it.

#87 - Long opening sentences

Replace lengthy openers with short sentences: “the afternoon my parents died, I was out shoplifting with Irene Klauson.”

#88 - Being a wordy artist

Good writing makes a clear, concise point. Good writing makes a meaningful point. Good writing gets the job done efficiently. Next time you write an email, think about your goal: to instruct, to educate, to build a relationship, to convince, to sell. Then stick to short sentences. Use action verbs instead of adverbs. Avoid cliches. When you finish a draft, cut it down by a third. The result will be more precise, more understandable, and more actionable. In short: be an expert technician instead of a wordy artist.

#89 - “Well, actually...”

Say no to this sentence-opener, which turns you into a condescending over-explainer in only two words. Your listener hears: “I’m right and you’re wrong.” It’s more productive to ask and clarify or say: ‘from what I understand...’ or ‘from the information I have...' That gives the other person the opportunity to add to what you say, or even agree with you.

#90 - “Thanks in advance”

This demeaning management phrase, often accompanying some unwanted assignment, is the polite corporate way of saying, “You’d better do this (terrible thing) or there will be repercussions.” Instead say: “Thanks.” or state a call to action: “(Thanks for considering my request.) Would you be able to…” or “I would appreciate your help with…”