The Sales Openers That Make Prospects Cringe

Let’s be real. We’ve all cringed at a sales pitch that felt like it was written by a robot. And if we’re being really honest, maybe we’ve even sent one ourselves.

Whether it’s a cold email, a DM, or a phone call, how you start the conversation sets the tone. And if your opener begins with “I,” there’s a good chance your message is already on its way to the trash.

So why does this happen?

Because those “I” openers are all about you, not the person you want to help. Sales isn’t about what YOU want. It’s about solving problems and adding value from the very first touch.

Here are the 10 most annoying sales openers that instantly turn people off, and then, what to do instead.

1. “I just wanted to check in…”

Let’s call this what it is. A filler. No value. No direction. Just static. 🤢

2. “I’m reaching out to introduce myself…”

Intros are nice, your prospects aren’t looking to make new friends. They’re looking to solve problems.

3. “I think you’d be a great fit for our product…”

Weak language plus assumption equals instant delete. Speak with confidence FOR them, not about them.

4. “I’d love to get 15 minutes on your calendar…”

Of course you’d love that. But why do they?

5. “I’m following up on my last email…”

Really!  Do you know how many emails I get a day? Don’t be surprised when you get ignored again.

6. “I noticed you were looking at our website…”

This feels more like digital lurking than helpful insight, unless you pair it with context that shows you’re paying attention.

7. “I specialize in helping companies like yours…”

Generic. Overused. Forgettable. It sounds like a LinkedIn cliché come to life.

8. “I wanted to tell you about a new feature we launched…”

Product dumps aren’t value. Make it relevant or leave it out.

9. “I’m not sure if you’re the right person, but…”

Translation: I didn’t do my research. Don’t be that person.  You are better than that!

10. “I don’t want to waste your time, but…”

Well, now you’re wasting mine. Lead with clarity, not apology.

Want to stand out? Flip the script.

Start with you, a question, or an insight. Make it about them from the very first word.

• “You mentioned wanting to increase lead conversion. Is that still a priority?”

• “Many [industry] leaders are solving [pain point] with [solution]. Are you exploring that too?”

• “Is [problem] something you're still working to solve this quarter?”

Sales is human. It’s not about pitching. It’s about connecting.  All decision making is driven with emotion.  So next time you go to type “I just wanted to…”, stop and ask yourself, “How can I make this about them?”

Pro Tip…Use a large language model AI (like ChatGPT or Gemini) to convert your previous emails by omitting the word “I” from your emails.  That can help with creativity too!   Your reply rate will thank you.