What is Distinction Without a Difference?
Focusing on the use of one term over another when they both define the same concept.
Business Application
Creative language is a common theme in sales and marketing for one simple reason: It works. Even if buyers see the terms for what they really are, adapted words can have a significant impact on the overall perception of a brand.
Example 1
Our cars aren’t ‘used’, they’re ‘pre-owned’.
Why This is a Fallacy
Used just doesn’t sound as good as pre-owned even though they mean the same thing.
Example 2
Our sales reps are ‘Client Success Managers’.
Why This is a Fallacy
People assume “sales reps” worry more about quotas than value. “Client Success Managers”, however, sound like they put the customer first.

Tom Waters
Owner at Everyday Sales
Everyday Sales is an online resource for sales and business education. We expose the psychological exploits used in sales and marketing to empower our clients to become better professionals. Our feature content includes Sales in Cinema, Cognitive Biases in Business, Logical Fallacies in Business, and Quotes Deconstructed.
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