Jordan Belfort: “Sell Me This Pen”

One of the best sales pitches that I have seen in a movie would be from The Wolf of Wall Street, when Jordan Belfort (Leo DiCaprio) asks some friends of his to “sell me this pen.” At first, the statement seems easy, but the way that Belfort goes on to explain it gives the viewer a lesson in sales and understanding your customer. At first, Jordan does not focus on the best parts of the pen, the color and such. But, instead, he asks, “Why don’t you write something down?” This suddenly prompts the customer to need the pen and make it more valuable. This is a good example of how sales is not always about explaining the product but more about the need for the product in the customer’s possession. Making the customer feel like they need the product and explaining why.

The part of the pitch that I like the most is how enthusiastic and confident Belfort is when making the pitch. He gets into a role and state that convinces his buyer to want to purchase his product. His ability to manipulate emotions makes him persuasive, even though he is only selling the buyer a pen. This part of the pitch shows how selling can sometimes more depend on the enthusiasm and personal connection of the seller and buyer rather than the product’s actual value.

While Jordan Belfort’s approach to his pitch works in the movie, there are not just positive things that come from this pitch. Belfort’s pitch also displays the negative side of sales in the real world. The way that Belfort sells is very manipulative and shows how easily the buyer can be tricked into purchasing something when there is a very convincing salesman. The pitch shows that sales can be more about connecting with your buyers to get them to purchase your product rather than the actual value of your product. Although it is important to keep in mind being honest and responsible when selling your products to buyers.