SDRs and BDRs both book meetings, from different starts.
An SDR usually works inbound interest; a BDR usually starts cold, reaching buyers who never raised a hand. Many companies use the two titles interchangeably.
How we use it.
Our team is BDRs: skilled people doing cold outreach on email and LinkedIn, with cold-calling professionals on the phone. Our own outreach engine scores fit, enriches the record and drafts the first touch, and a person approves every send.
The title matters less than the job. If you are hiring, decide whether the role works inbound leads or builds pipeline from nothing, then price it: our sales deck puts one in-house rep at $70,000 a year, before tools and management.
Same Monday, two roles (fictional)
A fictional SDR spends Monday calling people who asked for a demo on the website.
A fictional BDR spends Monday researching companies that fit the profile and have never heard of the product.
Both aim for booked meetings; only the BDR starts from a blank list.
Common mistakes
- Hiring for inbound follow-up and expecting the same person to build outbound pipeline.
- Comparing a rep's salary with an agency retainer without adding tools, management and ramp.
