Too Many Exclamation Points!

So recently I received feedback from my manager and a partner that I talk too fast and utilize too many exclamation points. Have any of you received this feedback and if so, how did you handle it? I am a naturally fast talker being from the North East, but have definitely slowed down some living in the south, but I assume my excitement gets the best of me sometimes when in the middle of a pitch deck. As for my exclamation points, I thought I was doing a decent job of limiting them, while still being an enjoyable partner to work with. I didn't have this issue in my previous role, and was for the most part adored by my clients and partners, so I feel kinda stupid getting this feedback at this point in time.


TLDR: What did you find was a good balance between friendliness/excitement over your career and overkill?

๐Ÿ‘ฅ Social Selling
๐Ÿ˜Ž Sales Skills
๐Ÿค˜ Personal Growth
11
BmajoR
Arsonist
8
Account Executive
You have to understand that things can be easily misinterpreted through text. Exclamation points should be used when they are appropriate, which is not often. If the prospect is using them, match their tone. If they aren't, then keep things more professional and level headed.ย 

I think your style is exactly why American's have a hard time selling in international markets. That "friendliness" comes off as try-hard and salesy.ย 

Always match the tone of your prospect/client.ย 
CloudyWithAChanceOfQuota
Politicker
2
Corporate AE
Thank you for your advice! I guess I have always led with being genuinely excited to get to know my customers, and I can see how that could seem cheesy to a prospect.ย 
BmajoR
Arsonist
3
Account Executive
You're welcome. There is an artful way to show excitement without seeming cheesy. I think the best way, in my opinion, is to just ask the right questions. By doing that, you are showing them you are "excited" to understand them and building trust at the same time.ย 

I'm not saying you need to suppress your genuine self, but try out some other ways to express your excitement. Hope this helps you!
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
7
โ˜•๏ธ
I will never slow down...but I did learn that you get to use one '!' in an email or slide...so choose wisely.ย 
funcoupons
WR Officer
7
๐Ÿ‘‘
Same, I'm a fast talker and if someone needs me to talk at a snails pace I'm not the rep for them LOL.

I'll max out at two exclamation points with at least a couple of periods in between. Generally I only use them when talking about something casual "Hope you enjoyed your time off!" or when I know they're excited "I'm happy to let you know that we're able to move ahead with x!"ย 
CloudyWithAChanceOfQuota
Politicker
1
Corporate AE
Ok im glad someone feels the same way about this LMAO like maybe everyone else should just keep up???ย 
jefe
Arsonist
0
๐Ÿ
@funcouponsย I feel like there's a stereotype of slow talking Canadians, but I definitely speak quite quickly, as do many I know.ย 

I think most urban, young-ish Canadians do speak fast.ย 
CuriousFox
WR Officer
4
๐ŸฆŠ
Heh. Y'all should hear me talk.

Not a fast talker AT ALL.
CoorsKing
WR Officer
5
Retired King of the Coors Knights
I donโ€™t use exclamation points very often in work settings. I do however talk fast sometimes, both are a work in progress.ย 

You donโ€™t need exclamation points to be friendly, they can often take away from the message.ย 
SaaSam
Politicker
2
Account Executive
I get told to slow down all the time. As far as exclamation points that's a new one. Granted I don't really use them. I did get chewed out by a prospect once because I typically use "Howdy" as a greeting in my emails and on the phone. Some bullshit about it being unprofessional. I just hung up on him and moved to the next guy. You can bet your ass I said howdy to the next guy too.
CloudyWithAChanceOfQuota
Politicker
0
Corporate AE
I think howdy is a fantastic greeting! that prospect just seems like a stone cold grump!ย 
SaaSam
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Yeah he was a turd. Probably doesn't talk to many folks with a rural background.
UserNotFound
Politicker
2
Account Executive
Honestly, I use exclamation points all the time. I think only people who donโ€™t understand correct grammar refuse to use them. If youโ€™re excited, show it- but definitely limit to one. The double exclamation point isnโ€™t even grammatically correct. Hell, I even throw in an emoji to the right audience. Iโ€™m a person, and I want to be seen as a person- not some robot created by a sales manager who peaked in 2003.
UserNotFound
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Also, quick side note. Not sure if youโ€™re male or female but Iโ€™m sensing some misogynistic undertones. Communicate however youโ€™re best suited to be successful and, I feel emphatically about this next part so I will exclaim it, fuck anything that doesnโ€™t contribute to your success!
funcoupons
WR Officer
3
๐Ÿ‘‘
Just curious - where are the potential misogynistic undertones?ย 
CloudyWithAChanceOfQuota
Politicker
0
Corporate AE
I am female but I def agree with not wanting to be seen as a robot! I have had the most success when I am authentic in my customer relationships, and this company seems to be a little bit more on the cold side lol.ย 
funcoupons
WR Officer
5
๐Ÿ‘‘
Every company will have their own image they want to project, could also depend on industry. If you came from a position selling to millennials in marketing you're going to be used to a way different communication style used to sell to C-Suite for accounting firms, for example.

I agree that you do need to inject some of your own personality into your communications though, authenticity is important in building rapport. But unfortunately you may have to compromise and meet prospects in the middle. Mirroring gets easier as you do it.
CloudyWithAChanceOfQuota
Politicker
1
Corporate AE
Oh I absolutely agree. I am in the same industry, reaching out to the same type of prospects and quite frankly have consistently out performed others in my division, which is why I was so shocked at that feedback. ย I will most definitely try to be more mindful of prospect tones and do deeper research into the prospects I reach out to, to ensure I don't come off too excited to be working in sales lolย 
funcoupons
WR Officer
3
๐Ÿ‘‘
I guess they're just more traditional. It's silly to me especially if you've demonstrated in aptitude in a very similar role before, but some companies are sticklers.ย 
UserNotFound
Politicker
2
Account Executive
To be 100% honest @funcouponsย -ย I wouldn't have thought this probably a year ago. But after discussing with many female peers in the industry I've noticed that many times men think that women should be more passive in their professional communication- and I don't think it's even a conscious thought. Not necessarily that there's misogynist intent in what they're asking of her, rather that it could be an outdated thought process, and someone needs to challenge that thought. It can beย okay to communicate in methods often deemed more feminine and sometimes the sentiment of things like 'exclamation points are unprofessional' are just old habits that haven't been put to the test yet.ย 

That said, I'm still working through the things that I do/don't think go back to learned behaviors. I just had my ears perk up a little bit at 'how you communicate is unprofessional'. If a person is hitting their numbers then let them use whatever method has been successful. If not, another story. I just find it extremely important to think through the various motivations of certain types of feedback we get from leadership.ย 
funcoupons
WR Officer
2
๐Ÿ‘‘
Interesting points. In my experience, my male peers have actually have more trouble communicating (especially via email) than my female ones. I find that women are often more skilled with writing and communication so when I've seen particularly brutal emails (unprofessional, come off as too blunt/rude, bad spelling/grammar) they've come from men haha. My manager has definitely had to work with the men on our team regarding their communication/tone way more than the women.ย 

This just reads to me as a company that just has a more formal culture and not being open to other ideas (for now.)
UserNotFound
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Maybe I'm suffering from work-related PTSD (haha), because I agree that in my experience female peers are often better suited to communicate in written word. I just also find that my friends and I have all had male leaders who tell us we're not as good as them at it.ย 

IDK, I'm finding that many things that I thought were just 'how so-and-so is' are actually learned behavior surrounding how men/women should behave and conduct themselves. So much of what I thought was me not liking someone is really me not liking what their parents and other authority figures had taught them.ย 
amyhyoung
Politicker
2
Vp ops
It'll depend on the industry you're in - are they super old school and traditional? Are they younger/more casual with communication?

If it's natural to you and your personality, by all means, own it! Our CEO uses all sorts of exclamations/emojis/adds pictures in emails even to investors/banks/vendors but that works because it's authentically him and matches how he speaks and runs meetings.ย 
CloudyWithAChanceOfQuota
Politicker
1
Corporate AE
I'm in cloud sales, hence the name (lol) but it's been very mixed culture wise and communication styles since we are partners with larger, more up to date tech giantsย 
Chep
WR Officer
2
Bitcoin Adoption Specialist
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Tell them beast mode has been engaged and if they don't like your excitement they can find another IAR!!!!!!!!!!!
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
2
SaaS Eater
I dont use exclamation points in any communication just because im lazy.

On the talking too fast front, this was a big issue for me early in my career. I get hyped and start talking a million words a minute. I have noticed that when I sit while speaking, Im more succinct and my delivery has better cadence, when I stand, I get on a roll.ย 

I also keep water with me at all times and try and have a sip here and there to slow things down and stay on pace.ย 

Thats worked for me so take what you will from it!ย 
CloudyWithAChanceOfQuota
Politicker
1
Corporate AE
Thank you! also- love the username lmaoย 
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
0
SaaS Eater
Haha appreciate that
Jewcan_Sam81
Politicker
1
Account Executive
I'm gonna say one in the front and one in the back, and just keep those periods cool and slick throughout the body...it didn't sound sexual in my head, but you know what I mean
jefe
Arsonist
1
๐Ÿ
I think millennials speak much faster than older folks, over all.

And when it comes to exclamation marks, I take inspiration from Coco Chanel. "When putting on accessories, take off the last thing you've put on." and re-read to knock out a few.

Maybe one at the beginning and one at the end. I'm partial to ending emails sometimes with 'Thanks!', depending on the relationship with the prospect
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