Most professionals find it difficult to understand customers and colleagues when they use sales buzzwords. We’ll be discussing the 30 words that can help you sound like a 1990s salesperson in this post. We will also offer some alternatives to help you stop using these old phrases at work.

Salespeople don’t want to be called sales robots. Many salespeople use too many sales buzzwords or generic phrases in sales conversations.

The sales vocabulary has been invaded by buzzwords, where generic phrases are used without much thought about their role in the sales process.

Sales Hacker members share their thoughts on the best and worst buzzwords and when and how to use them.

Salespeople who use buzzwords can appear disingenuous or insincere.

Buyers may also find it hard to understand your message if you use buzzwords.

It is important to strike the right balance between using sales buzzwords sparingly and sounding like a real person while still communicating your message.

Sales buzzwords have infiltrated the sales vocabulary, where generic phrases are used without much thought about the role they play in sales.

Salespeople who use buzzwords can appear disingenuous or insincere. Buyers may not be able to comprehend what you are saying if you use buzzwords.

The goal is to use sales buzzwords sparingly, so you sound human while still communicating your message.

What Does It Mean to Say “Buzzwords?”

Buzzwords are popular terms that have become clichéd due to their excessive use. They are also used frequently in corporate settings by peers and other business professionals.

Avoid using buzzwords when speaking to prospects or leads. They can make you seem less human and unapproachable.

Sales jargon can be confusing and not useful in sales conversations. Utilizing some hackneyed keywords could make your sales team feel lost or confused.

Many buzzwords can be replaced by powerful words that connect you with potential clients.

Let’s take a look at some buzzwords your sales team should avoid.

These are 30 sales buzzwords that you should avoid when talking to prospects.

1. Disruptive Innovation, Etc strong>

You don’t have to use the term disrupt to describe how your offering disrupts the market for your industry. It is often misunderstood to mean something new, unusual, or cool.

Disruptive innovation and disruption are not synonyms. Many new startups and digital businesses aren’t disruptive. This term should be phased down.

2. Strategic planning

Your product should help clients achieve their business goals. If they don’t believe your product or service would be of strategic benefit to them, they are unlikely to look into it.

This buzzword does not help distinguish your products during sales and should be replaced by something else.

3. Leverage

This is a generic term that won’t help you to explain your sales pitch. If a salesman claims your solution will allow them to make more use of their existing infrastructures, they need to explain why.

4. Alignment

Alignment is hot right now. All things revolve around aligning different aspects of a company to improve it.

What does alignment mean in the context of your service? Explain to customers how alignment benefits them and what it means for them.

If your solution can align sales and marketing, that’s great. But does it work on its own, or do they need their involvement? This vague catchphrase can lead to confusion.

5. Core Competency

Core competency is the term used to describe an item that gives a company an advantage over its competitors.

It is not a term that clarifies any matter, so it is better to substitute it with a simpler phrase or word that your leads can understand.

6. You can get to work right away

This buzzword is almost always heard at the end of every pitch. Instead, tell them how your product/service will help them make positive changes with the new initiative.

7. Innovate

Innovation should refer to products, services, or businesses. To be considered “innovative,” something must be new and innovative. There is always something exciting to look forward to.

Salespeople can lose credibility and trust when they misuse the word creative as a buzzword. However, this is not always true.

8. Take a pivot

A pivot is a way to change something about a product that was not working. Just tell them what went wrong, and how things have improved.

9. Accountability

If you hear the phrase “account-based” in a pitch it is a sign that your ears are open. A person who doesn’t know what account-based marketing or sales is, often uses it.

Talk to your company about how you can generate account-based sales if they use an account-based approach.

10. Freemium

This is somewhat paradoxical. It’s either free or not. It’s almost impossible to get something for free if it is a high-quality item.

11. Quick Victory (s).

There is no easy win. Realistically, it takes time to see a return on investment. Instead, focus on the long-term benefits of their trust.

12. Return to the Circle

Salespeople use this strategy to stay on track with their goals. Salespeople should also make it a point of answering any questions that may arise.

They should not circle back, as they often forget where they are going to circle back to.

13. Simplify

Streamline is one of those sales buzzwords that don’t always make sense given the context. It is more of a filler term that anything else.

Avoid filler terms if they don’t provide the clarity you need in your sales talks.

14. Revolutionary

This is another sales jargon that should not be used. Every digital company is trying to “revolutionize” something.

It is more likely that prospects or leads are more interested in your products and services than they are in the innovation of your product.

15. It is important to keep it safe

This is quite funny. Is your salesperson trying to sell you something that isn’t safe? We hope so.

16. Technologically difficult

This term is an old one that is too common in the modern world. It should be avoided as it can undercut someone’s talent.

Let them know that they can use your solution easily and that your customer service team is available to help them if they need it.

17. Proposition of Value

This can be confusing and should be avoided. Explain how you can help them and why they should choose to work with you. This is achieved primarily through the way you treat them and how they serve you.

This keyword is optional to convince someone.

18. Upsell

When I hear the term “upsell”, my first thought is “More Money.” Although upselling is good, it’s important to highlight the product or service’s value before you do so.

19. Take charge

This is a significant term in the IT world and has been used before. This term can be used if you are in charge of your industry. If you are unable to back it up, it’s best not to use it.

20. Cutting Edge Technology

Because IT salespeople have been using cutting-edge too often, it has lost its utility as a buzzword. It has become a filler phrase, similar to “streamline”

You can also use other words related to your product/service to generate excitement. This should be obvious.

21. Sensitive

Each product and service should be easy to use and provide a positive customer experience. This is the minimum gift that any gift should offer.

Prospective customers should be able to test your product or service to determine if they are comfortable using it.

22. Get in touch with the ground

Another eye roll. It’s a tired and cliched term. Instead, tell the prospect when and how you will contact them.

23. After it’s over …

Another unpleasant term has emerged. For example, “At the end, even in the worst scenario, our product can deliver you 25 leads.”

Avoiding this term will allow you to cut through the fluff, and get straight to the topic.

24. Bleeding Edge

Bleeding-edge technology is a variant of cutting-edge technologies. They are still being tested and aren’t fully understood. Many early adopters had to pay higher prices to use them.

Take a step back, and focus on dependability.

25. This term is used by salespeople who want to be seen as experts in their field but don’t know the actual performance of their product.

If you want to be a recognized expert in your company’s offerings, use this word.

26. Big Data

This broad term covers a large range of data and information. Make sure you let people know if your organization assists with data management so that there are no misunderstandings.

27. Profit

Monetization is the core of everything in sales. Monetize this, monetize it, and commercialize everything.

We understand. We get it.

Customers will likely choose you if your product or service is well-known for making lots of money. Your sale is not affected by the word “monetization.”

28. Effectiveness

If your product doesn’t increase productivity, why would anyone want to purchase it? They are aware of the effectiveness of your product or service but don’t realize how efficient it is.

Using concrete numbers, you can explain how your product increases efficiency.

29. Donate 100%

It’s a cliché, and it’s impossible with all the customers you have to serve. This is just another fancy term that creates a fantastic fantasy for your leaders.

If your prospects are interested in working with you, explain how your team can help them win.

30. Think Outside the Box

Is it better for you to get out of the box or stay in the box? Why even bring up the topic of a box?

Instead of using this boring and outdated term, remind your bosses to use creative thinking to find innovative solutions.

Use examples to show them your abilities so that they can believe in you.

Words that Sell: 10 Terms You Must Use

1. Take a look at the following scenario.

Asking your prospects to “imagine” how it would feel to use your product or service can help you put them in a positive frame of mind.

Customers with a clear vision of their future use of your product or service will be more likely to purchase after listening to your sales pitch.

2. Conserve

Saving money is something everyone enjoys. Your prospects will want to know how much they can save.

Take the following example as an example:

Save time by using X product/service

Sign up now to save 15%

You can save 40% when you buy two additional services.

3. Keep it simple

Most people don’t have the time or patience to go through lengthy processes. Make it easy for potential customers to sign up and buy your product.

Simpler things are more appealing to people.

4. We are

The statement “We’re all in it together” may be overused but the word “we” isn’t. It communicates to customers that you are all on the same team, and have the same goals.

5. Possibility

Problems have a negative connotation.

Instead of saying you understand the problem, you can say that you see an opportunity for you to help them make things more efficient. Focus on the solution, not the problem.

6. While you are selling, it’s not all about your company.

Don’t go on about the company’s activities. Use the word “you” to tell prospects what your company does for them.

They should be included in the story your company tells about your product or service to market it.

7. Their given name

A good sales conversation requires personalization.

Be friendly and personal with your prospects or customers. This helps build trust and encourages your prospect to be more open.

Recalling the names of your children will be easier if you say them out loud. It’s a win/win situation.

8. Get involved

The use of the word “try” implies you know that you are going to fail. It is not a good idea to say “I’ll try …”.

Instead of saying “I’m going …,” or something similar, This will make you seem more competent and increase trust.

9. Convergence

Your customers’ perceptions will be influenced by words that show support and agreement from your team. Make sure your buyer gets the message from your team when you introduce them to potential buyers.

You can help your team to understand the consensus you offer and build trust by sharing it with them.

10. Because

The term “because” is a great choice when introducing your products and services to leads.

Why?

You’re going in-depth about your organization, its functions, and another aspect of your services.

This is a clarification of your previous statement’s meaning, and it’s a way to define its purpose.

Although sales buzzwords are useful, they can be used to make the salesperson appear an expert. When helping your prospects make informed buying decisions, it is important to get to the bottom of things.