Lexer

Sales Development Representative

Get me OUT OF SALES

I've been a BDR for about a year and a half now.

I have been with a company for only 5 months but I am struggling to find motivation to pick up the phone and dial. cold calling is giving me so much stress in my life and I honestly don't feel like I can be a salesperson any longer.

anyone here have any input if marketing is any less miserable? or is this just a tough time to be a salesperson and it will get better?

I feel like I did the hard part of breaking into tech and wouldn't want it to go to waste, but it's been soul crushing to say the least. any advice ?

✌️ Growing Pains

📨 Marketing

☁️ Software Tech

51 comment

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CadenceCombat

Tycoon

Account Executive

Here’s what most sales people won’t tell you:

Most sales jobs are absolutely toxic environments and have all the ingredients to wreak havoc on your mental health. Huge ups, huge downs.

That’s why it works as a career for few, a short term solution for some and a non-starter for most.

Before writing off sales completely, you can try to correct for the following:

1. Would it be the same working with different people / company?

2. Does my product suck to the point where I don’t believe in what I’m selling at all? Do I need to find a more compelling product?

3. Are my targets realistic and attainable? How am I performing in comparison to the rest of my team?

Figure this out and you can have an honest assessment about how compatible sales is for you.

Lexer

Catalyst

Sales Development Representative

I had a much better experience with my last company with work life balance and not being mentally unstable. Problem was their targets were extremely unobtainable, and the salary compensation was not a living wage in nyc basically. I moved to another company where I would be making more, but I don’t feel like their market is as excited about the product, therefore selling has been a little bit of a nightmare (missed my target astronomically)

HVACexpert

Politicker

sales engineer

Sounds like you need a vacation. Take some time off and breath for a bit. Take your kind off things and step away from the computer. Will help you with some clarity.

SaaSsy

Politicker

Great advice, get to the root of what's going on. Only cold calling and seeing 0 success would crush even the best salesperson's spirit. Also do some internal reflection, what attracted you to sales originally? Do you like solving problems, are you chasing the winning high, is it just about money? That may help direct you to a better fitting role.

HVACexpert

Politicker

sales engineer

This job is an absolute grind and you have to take care of yourself otherwise you will go crazy

RandyLahey

Politicker

Account Executive

Great advice Cadence. Once you address those three, you can decide whether to write it off completely or not.

GingerBarbarian

Opinionated

Lead Sales

This is one of the best explanations for sales burnout I have seen. Very concise but addresses the biggest obstacles in the field. Great comment.

peopleperson11

Personal Narrative

Account Executive

I 100% agree with you. I had two sales jobs at two very very extreme experiences. For example, one was at a tech company through an IPO and one at a tiny startup- both were honestly rewarding but incredibly traumatizing. But, I am interviewing with a couple of other organizations right now that seem amazing.

My rec is to 1. really do research on the company, its customers and the product market fit. you want to be selling something that is a "must have" that solves real problems.

2. reach out to reps before accepting an offer to REALLY understand what you are getting yourself into. I think at the right company, sales can be an incredibly rewarding career!!!

3. find out how many people are ACTUALLY hitting target... this is so important.

4. one rec I have for cold calling is to make a list of 10-15 people a day that are strategic people that you want to book a meeting with and remember the person is a HUMAN BEING. cold calling is tough, but just be a human, and try to have more fun with it.

SomeRandom

Valued Contributor

Account Executive, Mid Market

Love #3 -- curious as to what you would consider to be ideal, and a red flag in terms of team attainment.

RealPatrickBateman

Politicker

🔪Amateur Butcher🔪

Have you tried implementing a morning routine?

Balanced Diet and rigorous exercise.
A deep pore cleanser lotion, water-activated gel cleaner, maybe an herb-mint facial mask?
Remember to use an aftershave with little or no alcohol. Because alcohol dries out your skin.

Bateman out.

kurmd0g

Personal Narrative

Sales Manager

This is the way.

BmajoR

Arsonist

Account Executive

I see what you did there.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

What do YOU want to do?

What motivates you. What excites you.

If money was no object, what would you do tomorrow for work? Can you do that and make the money you need to live? If not, is there a company that plays in that industry that would get you excited?

Lexer

Catalyst

Sales Development Representative

If money was no object, I would want to be doing social / event marketing in the food and beverage space. My passion is food and bev and making people happy and excited about products. Problem is I don’t have an college education in related fields, and bdr work was a way for me to break into marketing, but I can’t find marketing positions that I am basically qualified for.

I am not in the position financially to go back to school. I’m not sure what positions to even apply to

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

Since when has a college degree slowed someone down from getting into the industry they want to be in?

Go out and network. Find people that are willing to take a chance on you.

detectivegibbles

Politicker

Sales Director

I'll say it...

You don't need a college degree for social media / event marketing.

Keep grinding at the current job, then spend 10-15 hours a week outside of work building a portfolio for local companies in the food / bev space.

Find 2-3 companies you'd like to work with, create something (content, ads, etc) for free.

Give it to them. Get their feedback. Critique it. Then start getting paid for it and building out the framework to get more customers.

maverickmission

Opinionated

SDR @ HCM company

If you need a crash course in marketing, look up some programs for digital marketing. I spent a few thousand on a course that teaches you to start your own marketing agency. Whether you take it that far or not, it will give you a marketable skill set and working knowledge of funnels, google/YouTube/fb advertising. The program I went through is called Local Marketing Vault (no kick-backs to me btw)

HVACexpert

Politicker

sales engineer

It’s about who you know as well, do you have any friends, colleagues, customers, peers, family in the food/beverage space? Leverage the relationships you have and see what pops up

RedLightning

Politicker

Mid-Market AE

Maybe look into MasterClass courses on social/event marketing

ProngedAunty

Executive

SDR

Not sure about specific companies but a friend of mine works at Eventus: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eventus-international-ltd-/

Lots of companies doing the same. His role revolves around reaching out to subject matter experts to make the conference compelling to attend.

That type of role would combine your BD experience with your passion for events

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

Cold calling is a grind, and not for many, many people.

That being said, the timing ain't great.

I think you need to do some introspection, and figure this out for yourself.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

Sales Rep

Its hard to say marketing or another type of role will be best, with us not understanding what you like to do.

One thing that is clear is that you are burn't out. I highly recommend taking more breaks throughout the day. This can help a lot with motivation.

Also detach the result of the cold call with your self worth. Just because you didnt set a cold call meeting, doesnt mean your are bad at your job.

If you are losing motivation, I would write down your top 3 motivators right now and also the top 3 when you started the role. Have they changed? Why?

BTQ

Politicker

Account Manager

Job market is pretty tough. It seems like your office culture kinda blows too.

Us SDRs have some of the most difficult roles! What is stressing you about cold calling?

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Have you considered a customer service/retention role, or is talking to people you don't know in general giving you anxiety?

Lexer

Catalyst

Sales Development Representative

I love talking to people. It’s the cold calling and outreach that’s been so tough on me

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

So maybe customer success/account management might be something to look at.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Have you been able to pinpoint what about cold calling/outreach stresses you out? Could it be the solution you're selling? Or because your prospects aren't thrilled about it? You say this is your second role - what's different about this one?

Maximas

Tycoon

Senior Sales Executive

That's probably the reason why corporate bro asks us to unsubscribe after each Sales Video he made, just kidding:)

That damn pressure we all understand came from sales right, but I can see that 99% of who are mostly impacted are the Calls Frontliners who are many of us, that's why you shouldn't be taking those calls forever, at some point that needs to stop either by being promoted to a managerial position to participate in a different level at the sales cycle, or if you couldn't take sales at all it would be the best time to change career!

ronnie

Executive

Enterprise Account Executive

Looks like there are great pieces of advice below. Are you happy with the product/service and the people around you?

If you have those parts in place, then try to diversify the ways you do outreach.

If the phone is not what works at the moment, try email, build your personal brand on LinkedIn, and create valuable content there to increase the chances of inbound leads.

And yes, depending on your market, the life of a salesperson is always high highs and low lows. Adding to that, the market at the moment is struggling in some areas. But this is where you can build a solid foundation for when it changes.

Keep your head up and it's always OK to take some time off, mental health always comes first!

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Go apply to a bunch of jobs which are NOT SDR/BDR jobs. Problem solved.

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

ok so if you want to leave sales before getting into a closing role thats a mistake.

you might not hate sales you just hate being a BDR. i dont blame your that role SUCKS!

I would try to find a different company where you dont hate your life

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

If this is giving me stress, I would find another role that makes more sense - support, csm, onboarding etc.

RedLightning

Politicker

Mid-Market AE

Everyone in here has likely struggled at times, so that's not unique. Sales is a roller coaster and learning how to mitigate the lows and not get too high on the highs is a key to long term success.

A BDR role is very monotonous and this environment is making it harder. Sales isn't for everyone and many BDR's have used being a BDR as a springboard to jump into other departments.

As much as we rip on marketing, it's probably not as easy as it seems. So, try to figure out what you like about other roles and look for something that you could learn as a BDR that would transfer. For example, talking with prospects = great front line marketing feedback.

It's easier to sell a pivot when you're doing well. So - ironically - if your motivation is to not be a BDR, go be a great BDR and try to get transferred.

Juancallclose

Catalyst

Director

You will be ok. My advice, either learn to like it or bail quickly. Sales is not for everyone.

WheelofCheese

Opinionated

Sales Executive

Sales can be a grind in general. You have good days and you have bad days. On the bad days, you just need to shake it off. Take a long break, go for a run, grab a cup of coffee, watch cat videos on the internet (kidding) or whatever you need to do to regroup. For me, I make lists every day. These are tasks I want to accomplish by the end of the day. Somehow this keeps me motivated to make a few more calls, send out a few more emails, connect with a few more folks on LinkedIn, etc. Even if I don't get an appointment that day, I've reached out to new suspects/prospects and can feel a sense of accomplishment. Maybe set blocks of time to prospect. It's not realistic to prospect the entire day. In any event, I don't know a single salesperson who hasn't had their struggle days. This career is not for the faint of heart! Maybe write down a list of the pros and cons of this job. If the cons outweigh the pros, I'd start thinking about what you might enjoy better. People change careers all the time! Chin up!

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

What about cold calling is giving you the anxiety? The rejection? The feeling that your bothering. Someone, in order to help its great to hear what is giving you pause

Chep

WR Officer

Bitcoin Adoption Specialist

Find passion outside of work. Treat every call like a cold call so you have fun. Ironically not caring too much is a great key for finding success on the phone

LightingLeader

Politicker

Specification Sales

Get a more consultative sales job. That’s what I do and it sucks sometimes but it’s much less annoying than smiling and dialing

cw95

Politicker

Sales Development Lead

Depends what you sell.

You'll have to endure some years as an SDR if you want to do well.

Most SDRs that go to AE straight away will digress to SDR again (just look on LinkedIn) and it's an awful state to be in.

Be in the state where you hate it and you want more...because that more is what helps you.

Carry it on, pursue it (if you want) but my main advice (from someone that manages SDRs) is to be proactive and have the mentality to give everyone that isn't in sales shit if they aren't pulling their weight - by that I mean if they are involved in the process.

However, cold calling will only make you money. So do it.

You'll get days of nothing. BUT you get days where the sun is shining and you want a beer.

Good luck.

Moosetadon

Contributor

Inside Sales Associate

Hey there, I can definitely empathize with your struggle as a BDR, and it's completely understandable that you're finding it difficult to stay motivated in your current role. The stress of cold calling and the pressure to perform can indeed be overwhelming at times.As for your question about whether marketing is any less miserable, it's important to remember that every role has its challenges, and marketing is no exception. However, it can also be a rewarding and engaging field to work in, particularly if you enjoy creativity, strategy, and building relationships with customers. Marketing might be a good fit for you if you're looking for a change of pace and a way to leverage your current experience in tech.In the meantime, I have a few suggestions that might help you cope with your current sales role: Break down your goals: Instead of focusing on the overall sales targets, break them down into smaller, manageable daily or weekly objectives. This will make your goals seem less daunting and help you stay motivated as you achieve them step by step. Celebrate small wins: Take a moment to recognize and appreciate every small success, whether it's setting up a meeting, closing a deal, or receiving positive feedback from a client. This can help you stay positive and motivated. Practice self-care: It's crucial to take care of yourself both mentally and physically. Make sure you're getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising regularly. It's also helpful to engage in activities youenjoy outside of work to help alleviate stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Seek support from colleagues and mentors: Don't hesitate to reach out to colleagues or mentors for advice, encouragement, or to simply vent about your challenges. They may have been in your shoes before and can offer valuable insights or coping strategies. Invest in personal development: Attend workshops, webinars, or training sessions to improve your sales skills and boost your confidence. This can make you feel more equipped to handle the challenges of your role and may even reignite your passion for sales. Consider a change in sales strategy: If cold calling is causing you significant distress, explore alternative strategies like social selling, networking, or email outreach. Discuss these options with your manager and see if you can gradually transition to a more diversified approach. If you ultimately decide that sales isn't the right fit for you, remember that your experience in tech and sales won't go to waste. Many skills you've acquired as a BDR, such as communication, problem-solving, and resilience, are highly transferable to other roles within the tech industry. Whatever you decide, just know that it's okay to feel overwhelmed and seek change. Your well-being and happiness are just as important as your career. Good luck, and I hope you find the path that's best for you!

ZVRK

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

If you're experiencing this level of burnout after only 1.5 years in sales, it's definitely a sign that something is wrong. However, before quitting sales altogether, take a moment to consider whether your personal life might be amplifying the anxiety you're feeling "because of sales."I don't mean to sound smart here; I'm simply speaking from my own experience - I`ve been there, luckily enough overcame it and I want to think I`m at a good place now professionally (still in sales after 13 years)

Sales And Marketing Specialist

COLD CALL RELUCTANCE... it's probably one of the most difficult things a BDR will go through. Let me ask you these questions:
1. why do you struggle to pick up the phone can dial? what is the worst that can happen?
2. are you afraid of being told no?
3. have you figured out how many no's you need to get before you get a yes?

Sales... in all it's forms... is a TERRIBLE PLACE TO GET YOUR EMOTIONAL NEEDS MET. Many younger team members get stuck here. Stop trying to be liked by everybody... it's not going to happen.

My recommendation... make tomorrows cold calls looking for people to say no. Say stuff like... "hey you probably wouldn't be interested in a solution that fixes this problem or that problem... right?"

See what happens.

Would love to help any young sales people trying to break into the role...

UncleHoho

Good Citizen

Account Executive

There’s plenty of good sales/career advice that you should implement above but Honestly - try working on some other things in your life and make work less of a priority. Might seem weird, but going for a run, getting involved in a church, spending time with friends and family. All those things make you realize that work is just work and even it sucks, it’s not the most important thing in your life. Sure, a better company would help too, but these things are easier to implement and transcend the work

Slavic

Fire Starter

Director - Enterprise Sales

Stay in sales but move to the channel.

cloudsecops

Member

Account Executive

So many times I’ve been down this path, and the money always brings me back.

Plenty of quality comments in here. You’ll figure it out. Best of luck and I hope you can sort it out.

FranchiseSalesQB

Politicker

Franchise Sales QB

1. Do you love and believe in the product and is it coming across on the phone?

2. if your not already? try doing something different that makes it fun for you, I think of myself as an actor and get to be whoever I want on a call. I'll sometimes ask a completely off the wall question.

3. Marketing is as stressful but to me sales are fun, hang in there kid.

4. Go watch some@GeneralCorpsales reenactment videos.

5. S.A.D.N.E.S.S.

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JDialz

Politicker

Chief Operating Officer

Being in tech sales sounds absolutely miserable to me. If I was going to transition into a sales role in a different industry it would be logistics services or ag products.

Also, I have seen people come from tech to finance and do very well! It’s moderately easy to weed out the ones who won’t be a good fit.

CRAG112

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

It’s a dog shit show more often than not.

hang out and party with people you can talk to and relate with.

most places are toxic AF. Toxic people. Toxic so called leaders. Garbage ass expectations. OTE is bullshit in many places.

but. You can get good on the phone.
you have an easier job than someone responsible for closing and prospecting.
you can do well if you believe you can and hustle hustle hustle.

but let’s be real. Most people you will work with or for in America are terrible humans. Leaving sales… no guarantee anything changes

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Lexer

Get me OUT OF SALES

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