How to Use Pattern Interrupt to 2x Sales

What Is Pattern Interrupt?

Pattern interrupt is a marketing and sales technique that breaks a person’s habitual thinking pattern to create a moment of surprise, curiosity, or intrigue. It forces the brain to pay attention and process new information, making your message more engaging and memorable.

Why Does Pattern Interrupt Work?

1. Disrupts autopilot behavior – People ignore most ads and sales pitches due to repetition. Pattern interrupt forces them to stop and engage.
2. Triggers curiosity – Unusual or unexpected messaging keeps prospects intrigued, increasing their likelihood of reading or clicking.
3. Boosts emotional engagement – Surprise and humor trigger emotional reactions, making your brand more memorable.

👉 Example: A LinkedIn message that starts with “This is NOT another boring sales pitch.” instantly grabs attention because it breaks the reader’s expectation of a typical outreach message.

How to Use Pattern Interrupt in Sales & Marketing

1. Unconventional Subject Lines & Hooks

Your first impression matters, and people decide whether to open an email or watch an ad based on the headline or first few seconds. A pattern-interrupting subject line stands out in crowded inboxes and feeds.

Examples:

1. Email Subject Line: “🚨 Wait… Did You Forget Something?” (Instead of “Reminder: Your Cart is Waiting”)
2. Sales Call Opener: “You’ll hate me for this, but I have to ask…” (Instead of “Do you have a moment to talk?”)
3. Social Media Hook: “STOP scrolling—this might save you $1,000 today.”

👉 Action Tip: Test different unexpected headlines, questions, or emojis to see what increases open rates.

2. Use Humor & Surprise in Ads

Most ads follow the same formula, making them easy to ignore. A pattern-interrupting ad catches attention by being funny, shocking, or visually unexpected.

Examples:

1. Dollar Shave Club’s viral ad broke the pattern of traditional razor commercials by using humor, sarcasm, and a casual CEO monologue.
2. Old Spice’s “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” campaign disrupted boring cologne ads with over-the-top humor and absurd transitions.

👉 Action Tip: Use unexpected visuals, humor, or exaggerated comparisons to make ads more engaging.

3. Flip Traditional Sales Pitches

Prospects expect salespeople to be pushy or follow the same script. Using reverse psychology or breaking the script makes them more receptive.

Examples:

1. Sales Email: “This might not be the right fit for you, but if you’re tired of [pain point], here’s something worth checking out.”
2. Cold Call Opener: “I know you probably hate cold calls, so I’ll make this fast—do you want to hear something that’s actually useful?”
3. Sales Page Headline: “This is NOT for everyone—only serious business owners apply.”

👉 Action Tip: Try understating your offer, acknowledging common objections upfront, or using self-aware humor.

4. Change the Buying Process

Customers expect a linear, standard sales process. Breaking that pattern makes the buying journey more memorable and engaging.

Examples:

1. Mystery Discounts: Let customers “spin a wheel” for a surprise discount instead of offering a generic 10% off.
2. Reverse Pricing Models: Some brands like Radiohead’s “pay what you want” model disrupt the usual pricing structure, increasing conversions.
3. Scarcity with a Twist: Instead of saying “Limited Time Offer,” try “Only available to the first 100 action-takers.”

👉 Action Tip: Add gamification, surprise elements, or interactive steps in your sales funnel.

5. Pattern Interrupt in Website & Landing Pages

Most websites follow the same format: headline, bullet points, CTA button. Breaking this pattern makes visitors stay longer and take action.

Examples:

1. Unexpected Pop-Ups: Instead of “Subscribe for Updates,” use “You Weren’t Going to Leave Without Your Freebie, Right?”
2. Conversational Copy: Use casual, fun, and engaging language instead of corporate jargon.
3. Interactive CTAs: Instead of “Buy Now,” try “Claim Your Spot” or “Let’s Do This”.

👉 Action Tip: Test different CTA wordings, layouts, or pop-ups to keep users engaged.

6. Leverage Visual Disruption

The brain processes visual information 60,000 times faster than text. An unexpected image, meme, or GIF can stop people from scrolling past your content.

Examples:

1. Bold Contrasting Colors – Yellow and black text in ads stand out more than blue and white.
2. Memes & GIFs in Sales Emails – A well-placed meme in an email or LinkedIn message adds humor and relatability.
3. Unusual Video Thumbnails – A video that starts with someone making an exaggerated reaction grabs attention faster.

👉 Action Tip: Experiment with color psychology, humor, and visually unexpected elements in marketing materials.