KISS is a principle often used in sales and agreed upon, by most, as a successful sales tactic. KISS is and acronym for keep it simple, stupid, although there are various other variations, including keep is sweet and simple and keep it short and sweet.

The KISS principle, in a nutshell, means that you should not make sales presentations any more complicated than it need be. Keep it as plain and simple as possible to avoid any misunderstandings between you, the salesperson, and the customer. That means that less is more.

The stupid in KISS doesn't mean that you're stupid. You obviously are an authority in your area of expertise. But using the same language that you'd use with, say, a co-worker, with a client or prospect is stupid. Don't assume that your customers would understand such jargon. To assume that would be stupid.

What happens when you discuss highly technical aspects of your product or service during a sales presentation or if you use industry related jargon with a layperson? You run the risk of having the customer misunderstand you and possibly losing the sale as a result. Using the KISS principle in sales means delivering your message in as few words as possible without any industry-related jargon

All too often, salespeople talk to much about themselves, their company, and their product. Normally, customers don't care about this; they only want to know what's in it for them. Discussing anything more is contrary to the KISS principle.

The greatest salespeople can discuss products that are highly technical in terms that everybody can understand. That's keeping it simple and that's not stupid.