What is an SDR? What are they doing? How much do they earn?

A Sales Development Representative (SDR) plays a critical role in every tech sales team. As a first step towards a career in tech sales, it is an excellent opportunity to learn about the industry, the sales process, and the skills needed to succeed in the competitive technology market.

At Hyrise, we recognize the importance of this role and are focused on helping you fill SDR positions with top tech companies in Europe. Our unique program offers job search assistance and on-the-job training to help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role. Whether you're a fresh graduate or looking for a career change in tech sales, Hyrise is here to help you achieve your goals.

What is an SDR?

‍An SDR, or Sales Development Representative, Is for responsible for identifying and qualifying potential customers for a company's sales team.

His primary responsibilities include identifying potential companies and decision makers, making initial contact through cold calls and emails, and organizing meetings or demos for the sales team.

The goal of an SDR is to generate a pipeline of qualified leads for the sales team.

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What exactly does an SDR do?

Well their main task is to open up new business opportunities. This includes research on potential companies and decision makers, cold calling and social selling, and organizing meetings or demos for the sales team.

In short, An SDR is the first point of contact for many potential customers, and its role is critical to building a pipeline of qualified leads.

But it's not just about making phone calls and sending emails — SDRs must also have strong communication skills, be able to build a relationship with potential customers, and understand the product or service they're selling.

In addition, they must be able to effectively qualify leads and determine which leads are worth following up on. SDRs must have a deep understanding of the target market and customer needs so that they can identify the right opportunity for them. They must be able to convey how the company's product or service can help customers achieve their goals.

SDRs often face lots of rejections, but it's important to remember that every “no” is a step closer to a “yes.” SDRs must be able to deal with rejections and move on.

An SDR's role is also data-driven, as they must track, measure, and analyze their progress. They must use various sales tools and technologies to track their leads and communicate with them. They use the data to make informed decisions about which contacts to track and how best to communicate with them.

What does it take to become an SDR?

Becoming an SDR Doesn't require any specific degree or qualifications, it is more about having the right mindset and soft skills.

To become an SDR, There is no need for a specific degree or qualification; it is more a matter of having the right attitude and soft skills.

Certainly, a bachelor's degree can be helpful, but it's not a decisive reason. As long as you have a strong desire to be successful in sales and are willing to learn, you're on the right track. The most important thing is the right attitude and willingness to make an effort.

You'll connect with potential customers, so good communication skills are a must. The ability to think quickly and find creative solutions to objections is also important. Organizational talent, resilience, and the ability to juggle multiple tasks are also important skills for an SDR.

In short, if you're passionate about being successful in sales, have a good attitude and are ready to learn, you've got what it takes to become an SDR.

How much do SDRs earn?

Salaries can vary depending on the company and location, but On average, SDRs can expect to make around €35,000 to €65,000 per year. Additionally, companies also offer a base salary with a commission structure, which can be quite lucrative for those who excel in the role.

Salaries may vary by company and location, but On average, SDRs can cost around 35,000 to 65,000€ per year calculate. In addition, in addition to the base salary, the companies offer a commission structure, which performs excellently in this role, can be quite lucrative.

Career opportunities for SDRs

The position as SDR often serves as a springboard for other functions within a company's sales team, but also outside the sales organization. Many SDRs are promoted to account executives or sales managers. The average SDR is transported within 1.5 years.

Becoming an SDR can be a great way to launch a career in sales, as it provides a solid foundation in the basics of sales and offers a chance to learn from experienced salespeople. It is a great way to develop the skills and experience needed to advance to higher-level sales roles in the future.

SDR training can be a good way to start a career in sales, as it creates a solid basis for sales and offers the opportunity to learn from experienced sales people. It's a great way to develop the skills and experience needed to move up to higher positions in sales later on.

Sales career path and salaries

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The following graph shows the typical career path in sales and the corresponding salary range (in Germany). But remember that this is a career that offers endless opportunities for growth.

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A day in the life of an SDR:

We met with Laurenz Bordiehn, SDR at hyrise, chat to find out what a typical day looks like.

“That's an opportunity for a schedule! However, the day of an SDR is never the same. You have your finger on the pulse of your company and react to many different triggers. Self-management is a key task that I am constantly working on, because if you do it well, you can organize and manage your week in the way that suits you best:)”

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• 7:00 a.m. — Wake up!
• 7:00-8:00 — Get ready
• 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. - Go jogging
• 8:00 - Grab a coffee and start working
• 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. — LinkedIn time — Create content
• 9:00 - 9:45 - Stand-up meeting
• 10:00 - 10:00 — Discovery Calls
• 10:00 - 11:30 - Cold calling
• 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Emails
• 12:00 - 13:00 - lunch break
• 13:00 - 14:00 - CRM tasks
• 14:00 - 15:00 - Lead research (LinkedIn, Crunchbase, etc.)
• 15:00 - 16:00 - Add new contacts to the sequence
• 16:00 - 17:00 Discovery Calls
• 17:00 - 17:45 - LinkedIn Networking and Engagement
• 17:45 - Enjoy the rest of the day!

The role of an SDR is a challenging but rewarding role. If you're interested in sales and enjoy building relationships with potential customers, a career as an SDR could be a good fit for you.

If you want to become an SDR and start your career in tech sales, Apply today!

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