The Psychology of a Snake Oil Salesman
A snake oil salesman is one of the most persuasive characters in the public speaking world.
They exude confidence, present themselves well, and often gain the trust of many.
If you’re someone who lacks confidence, you might look at a snake oil salesman and think, I want to be like that guy. He really commands a room.
But behind that commanding presence lies a dark personality.
Someone selfish, always looking out for themselves.
You’ll see this type of character frequently in the world of business.
These individuals promise the world but ultimately need you to make money.
Since starting ArmaniTalks, I’ve encountered several of these characters.
People who attempt to monetize my hard work while making it seem like they’re doing me a favor.
The Traits of a Snake Oil Salesman
- They Act Like They’re Doing You a Favor
One of the first red flags of a snake oil salesman is their approach.
They’ll start with something like, Mind if I take up a second of your time? framing their pitch as if it’s reasonable and beneficial to you.
But the truth is, they’re positioning themselves to profit off your success.
I recall a specific individual who preyed on personal brands.
He would first critique them, pointing out supposed flaws, and then insert himself as the solution.
Suddenly, the personal brand owner was on the defensive, feeling compelled to accept his offer.
What he was really proposing was a lifetime claim on their revenue.
If you look past the polished words, you’ll see that these deals are rarely in your best interest.
- They Are Excellent Communicators
Snake oil salesmen are some of the best speakers and writers.
They rarely stutter, not because they are naturally gifted, but because they’ve rehearsed their pitch countless times.
They’ve encountered every possible objection and have a response ready for each one.
Just because someone is a great communicator doesn’t mean they are trustworthy.
In fact, in many cases, the better the communicator, the less trustworthy they are.
Their ability to articulate ideas smoothly is often a tool to manipulate others into accepting poor business deals.
- They Are Always Promoting a Business
Most snake oil salesmen don’t just give life advice…
They push a business model, service, or product.
They try to convince you that their business is the golden opportunity.
But think about it, if the business were truly profitable, why would they need to recruit others so aggressively?
This is especially evident in MLM schemes, where the real money isn’t in the product but in the recruitment process itself.
A common sign of a shady business is when the promoter eventually makes more money from recruiting than from the business itself.
When someone talks about a business too much, be skeptical.
- They Are Overly Polished
While looking presentable is important, some snake oil salesmen take it too far.
There’s a difference between dressing well and looking too polished for the occasion.
If someone is dressed like they’re attending a high-stakes corporate meeting at a casual get-together, you might want to question their motives.
This isn’t a foolproof indicator, but it’s worth noting.
The overly sleek, hyper-groomed appearance can sometimes be a visual cue for someone more focused on selling an image than delivering actual value.
Protect Your Brand
Snake oil salesmen are everywhere, especially in the world of business and personal branding.
They thrive on persuasion and deception, using their confidence and polished words to manipulate others.
The best way to protect yourself is to stay skeptical, trust proven results over flashy promises, and always question the motives behind a pitch.
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