Imagine ... you’re sitting in a high-rise office, the view behind the recruiter stretching far into the city skyline. You've already shaken hands, exchanged pleasantries, and made it through a few standard questions about your CV. Then, with a small smirk and a gleam of mischief in their eye, the interviewer leans forward, picks up a pen from the desk, holds it out and says:
“Sell me this pen.”
Your heart skips a beat. You knew this might come. It’s one of those questions.
Classic. Slightly cliché. But still used for a reason: because it works.
It’s one of those “curveball” interview questions meant to test your sales skills, confidence, improvisation, and emotional intelligence, all within about 60 seconds. It’s not really about the pen. It’s about how you think on your feet, how you persuade, how you connect a product, even a mundane one, to a person’s needs and desires.
I remember watching Grant Cardone’s show a few years ago "Do You Have What It Takes?" One scene stuck with me. He gave his candidates a choice: “Sell me this glass of water or sell yourself.” Each candidate picked the question they felt most comfortable with, but Grant Cardone flipped the script and made them tackle the one they didn’t choose. A subtle but genius move. He was watching how they handled pressure, decision-making, and even rebellion. Anyway, back to the pen!
Here are 15 creative, detailed ways to sell that pen, and 5 to avoid at all costs. These aren’t just ideas. They’re performances, techniques, and perspectives you can adapt to your own style. Think of it as your cheat sheet for dazzling the next time someone drops that dreaded line.
🖊️ 15 Clever & Persuasive Ways to Sell the Pen
1. The Problem-Solution Hook
“Do you ever find yourself in a meeting, looking for a pen that doesn’t squeak, skip, or smudge? This pen is designed specifically for people who need to write with clarity, speed, and reliability. It’s weighted just right, no wrist fatigue after long notes. In short, it won’t just help you write. It’ll help you look sharp while doing it.”
✅ Why it works: It identifies a real, annoying problem and offers a clean, believable solution. You’re showing empathy and utility.
2. The Montblanc Prestige Pitch
“This isn’t just any pen. It’s the Montblanc Meisterstück 149, a writing instrument used by none other than President John F. Kennedy when he signed key legislation. This pen isn’t about ink and paper, it’s about legacy. When you hold it, you’re reminded that your words matter. Signing a contract, a letter, even just jotting down an idea, it all feels significant. You don’t just write with this. You make a statement. It’s not about showing off. It’s about feeling proud every time you put pen to paper.”
✅ Why it works: You’re connecting the pen to emotion, identity, even history. The pride of association is real, and powerful.
3. Story-Driven Sell
“A client of mine once bought this exact model. A week later, he walked into a deal meeting and signed a seven-figure contract. He called me after to say it felt different, not because of the money, but because the pen reminded him he was there for something important. This is the kind of pen that changes how you see yourself.”
✅ Why it works: Storytelling is memorable, and it implies that you could be next.
4. Personalisation Sell
“Let me ask you: Do you like pens that glide, or something that offers a bit of resistance? Do you prefer a fine line or a bold one? Because once I know what you like, I can tell you how this pen matches your exact style. This isn't a one-size-fits-all item. It's a tool that suits you, personally.”
✅ Why it works: Turns the pitch into a two-way dialogue. You’re no longer selling, you’re solving.
5. Luxury Lifestyle Angle
“You know how wearing a great suit makes you walk differently? How a proper wristwatch makes you check the time with intention? This pen does the same. It changes how you take notes, how you sign your name. It adds quiet power to your presence. That’s not a pen, that’s a statement in your hand.”
✅ Why it works: Sells a lifestyle, not a product. Emotional branding at its best.
6. The Scarcity Play
“This is the last one we’ve got in this colour, matte black with gold trim. It’s a limited edition, and the supplier’s not restocking. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. People don’t just buy this pen, they collect it.”
✅ Why it works: Scarcity creates urgency. It makes something feel rare and therefore more desirable.
7. Performance-Oriented Pitch
“What sets this apart is the precision. It writes with no delay, perfect for people who think fast, work fast, and don’t have time for blotchy notes or skipping ink. It's like the sports car of pens, built for performance.”
✅ Why it works: Makes the pen match a high-achieving personality.
8. Pitch It Like a Product Designer
“The body’s weighted for a balanced grip. The ink is quick-dry, ideal for left-handers. The nib is made of stainless steel with anti-leak channels. This isn’t just a pen. It’s a writing experience designed by people who obsess over the smallest details.”
✅ Why it works: Shows knowledge and attention to design. Appeals to logic and function.
9. Emotional Attachment
“You ever have that one pen that just feels right? You reach for it first every time. This one’s that. You’ll write your goals with it. Journal your wins with it. Maybe even sign the lease on your new flat with it. This becomes part of your story.”
✅ Why it works: Emotional anchoring. You make the object part of their life.
10. Confidence Builder
“You walk into a room with this pen and immediately people notice, it’s not flashy, but it’s purposeful. You’re not just another attendee. You’re someone who signs things that matter.”
✅ Why it works: Positions the pen as a power accessory. Confidence through symbolism.
11. Reverse the Sell
“Honestly, if you’re the kind of person who’s happy scribbling with hotel pens, this probably isn’t for you. But if you believe your time is valuable, your ideas are worth capturing with clarity, this pen speaks your language.”
✅ Why it works: Reverse psychology, challenges the buyer’s self-perception. Subtle flex.
12. Ask, Then Match
“What matters most to you in a pen. weight, grip, style, reliability? This ticks all three. It's designed for people who value both form and function.”
✅ Why it works: Involves them in the pitch, making the solution feel tailored.
13. Use a Metaphor
“This pen is like a tailored suit. You don’t need it, but once you have it, you’ll never go back. Everything else feels off-the-rack.”
✅ Why it works: Relatable metaphor. Makes the pen feel luxurious and custom.
14. Silent Power Pitch
“This pen won’t shout. It won’t glitter. But place it on the table next to a notepad, and people know you came prepared. This is for people who don’t talk a lot because they let the ink speak for them.”
✅ Why it works: Appeals to calm confidence and introverted power.
15. “Pen to Purpose” Pitch
“What are you writing today? A goal? A resignation letter? A new plan? This pen is just the tool, you’re the story. But every story needs the right instrument to begin.”
✅ Why it works: Inspirational, user-centric, and empowering.
❌ 5 Ways You Absolutely Shouldn’t Sell the Pen
1. Boring Literalism
“It’s a pen. You can write with it.”
🚫 Why it’s bad: Zero persuasion. No effort. No spark.
2. Overconfidence
“This is the best pen ever made. Trust me.”
🚫 Why it’s bad: Bold claims with no backing lose trust quickly.
3. Getting Defensive
“I mean, it’s just a pen… what more do you want?”
🚫 Why it’s bad: Defensive or dismissive language kills the pitch instantly.
4. Waffling Without Direction
“So yeah, it’s got like… a cap… and um, the ink is, you know, black…”
🚫 Why it’s bad: Unprepared, lacking confidence. You’ve lost the room already.
5. Giving Up
“Honestly, I don’t really know how to sell pens.”
🚫 Why it’s bad: It’s okay not to be a natural salesperson, but giving up shows no resilience.
Remember ...
At the end of the day, “Sell me this pen” isn’t about the pen at all. It’s about how you present yourself. It’s about how you think, persuade, improvise, and connect. Whether you're pitching a Montblanc Meisterstück or a hotel biro, your delivery matters more than the ink.
One more time: you’re not selling a product. You’re selling a feeling, a transformation, a purpose.
And if you can make someone want a pen they didn’t even think they needed?
Well, you’ve already passed the test.
If you know someone who might find this helpful, don’t keep it to yourself—please share it.
You never know how much of a difference it could make in someone’s life.
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