13 Creepy Things Sales Professionals Do (and not just on Halloween)

As Halloween approaches, the spirit of fright and fun fills the air, but for some, the spookiness isn’t confined to haunted houses and ghostly tales. In the sales world, there lurks a different kind of creepiness that can send shivers down customers’ spines. 

From overzealous follow-ups that feel like a relentless haunting of their inbox to insincere compliments that cross personal boundaries, certain sales behaviors can be downright chilling. 

As we dive into the eerie tactics of some overzealous salespeople, we’ll uncover the creepy things they do and say that can turn a simple pitch slap into a hair-raising experience, leaving customers wishing they had never answered that call or accepted that LinkedIn connection request.

1. Overly Personal Questions: When salespeople delve into personal questions about a customer’s life, such as their relationship status or family dynamics, it can feel invasive and uncomfortable. This type of questioning often crosses the line from professional to personal, leaving the customer feeling exposed and unsure of how to respond. Instead of building rapport, it can create an atmosphere of distrust and make customers wary of engaging further.

2. Persistent Follow-Ups: While follow-up communication is common in sales, excessive persistence pitching when the customer has clearly expressed disinterest (including ignoring your outreach) can feel stalker-like. When a salesperson continues to say I am just following up or checking in without adding any value to the conversation, it is simply wasting your buyer’s time. This behavior can damage the relationship and drive potential customers away.

3. Invasive Compliments: Generic compliments about a customer’s experience on LinkedIn, such as “I am very impressed with your background!” comes across as icky. While compliments can help establish rapport, they should remain authentic and relevant to the business context. Generalized compliments are so obvious and impersonal that they will create what the salesperson fears the most: a bad reputation. As a result, their customers may question their motives, undermining trust and compromising their professional reputation.

4. LinkedIn Automation: Utilizing LinkedIn automation tools to send mass connection requests or messages often creates an impersonal and creepy sales environment. While automation can save time, it frequently results in generic outreach that lacks personalization and fails to build meaningful relationships – negating the time-saving benefits. Recipients may feel like just another number on a list rather than valued contacts, leading to a perception of insincerity. This approach can alienate potential customers and harm the brand’s reputation, as authentic connections are increasingly important in our current business environment.

5. Guilt-Tripping: Using guilt as a sales tactic, such as suggesting that declining an offer would disappoint or somehow harm the salesperson, is manipulative and unsettling. This approach can make customers feel obligated to purchase out of pity for the sales rep rather than in their genuine interest. Such tactics can erode the relationship between the customer and the salesperson, making the customer more likely to disengage altogether.

6. Fake Enthusiasm: Overly exaggerated excitement about a product or service can be disingenuous. When salespeople seem excessively enthusiastic, it can raise suspicion about the authenticity of their message. Customers often appreciate sincerity, and fake enthusiasm can make them feel manipulated rather than motivated to purchase. This disconnect can hinder or even destroy the development of a trustworthy relationship.

7. Name-Dropping Shared Connections Without Permission: This tactic is a double breach of trust. First, it violates the privacy of the person whose name is being used without their consent. Second, it falsely implies an endorsement to the potential customer, one that was never actually given. While referencing mutual acquaintances can help establish credibility, doing so without permission is unethical. This practice can damage relationships with the name-dropped connection, potentially burning bridges in both professional and personal networks. 

8. Pressure and Scare Tactics: Salespeople who employ high-pressure tactics – “This offer is only valid today!” – may wish to create a sense of urgency. Instead, it instills anxiety by manipulating customers into making hasty decisions that will ultimately repel them from ever working with you. This approach leaves customers feeling rushed and anxious, as they may feel compelled to buy something to avoid potential problems. Such tactics can lead to resentment towards the salesperson and the brand, as customers prefer to feel empowered in their decision-making process rather than coerced or scared into a purchase.

9. Ignoring Social Cues: When salespeople continue to engage in conversation even after a customer shows clear signs of disinterest or attempts to leave, it can feel invasive and disrespectful. Ignoring verbal and non-verbal cues demonstrates a lack of respect for the customer’s time and autonomy. This behavior can lead to frustration and discomfort, ultimately damaging the prospect’s perception of the brand and the salesperson.

10. Sucking Up: Overdoing compliments, such as saying, “You’re the smartest person I’ve met all week!” can come off as insincere and unsettling. While flattery can be a useful tool in building rapport, excessive or exaggerated praise can feel manipulative. Customers are often quick to sense insincerity, leading to skepticism regarding the salesperson’s intentions. An authentic approach, focused on the customer’s needs and preferences, is far more effective in fostering a positive sales experience.

11. LinkedIn Connect and Pitch is a Bait and Switch: The “LinkedIn connect and pitch” tactic involves salespeople sending connection requests with the sole intention of immediately pitching their products or services. This approach can transform a professional networking platform into a sinister sales trap, making customers feel manipulated rather than valued as connections. Instead of building meaningful relationships, it creates an atmosphere of distrust, where every connection feels like a potential sales ploy.

12. Using AI 100% for Your Content and Messaging: Relying solely on AI tools, like ChatGPT, for your content and messaging instead of following the 80/20 rule—80% AI-generated and only 20% human input—can lead to a disconnect with your audience. While AI can produce high-quality text quickly, it often lacks the nuanced understanding, emotional depth, and authentic voice that only humans can provide. Over-reliance on AI-generated content may result in robotic and impersonal messaging, making establishing genuine connections with customers challenging. Striking a balance between AI capabilities and human creativity ensures compelling, engaging content that resonates with your audience while maintaining a personal touch that fosters trust and loyalty.

13. Ghost and Post: The “ghost and post” tactic involves salespeople posting engaging content to attract interest but then vanishing without any additional engagement or follow-up. Customers may find themselves drawn in by appealing posts, only to feel abandoned when no further engagement occurs. This approach can leave potential buyers feeling neglected, leading to a lack of trust in the salesperson’s commitment to customer service and support.