The Entry Level Role Worth Millions

The SDR role isn’t easy and can feel like a thankless grind but, as I look back 9 years after my original SDR journey began I now clearly see the SDR role for the priceless opportunity it can be for any dreamer & doer who chooses to seize it.

The SDR role lowered my barrier of entry into some of the top tech companies in the world like Oracle, Google, and now a top startup and, in doing so, changed the trajectory of my life. 

SDRing was my first step down a path where I could secure my spot in the 6 figure earners club just 1 year into the journey.  

Where my base salary has tripled in 9 years, my 401k has been consistently maxed out, my on target earnings have only gone up, and I’ve earned both Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) from Google and pre-IPO equity at my current startup which will multiply when we go public. 

The SDR role gave me access to a rich network of ambitious like minded people that continues to generate meaningful friendships and personal and professional opportunities. 

How cool is it when your buddy who was on your original SDR team back at Oracle moves to the same city 9 years later and happens to work for an ecosystem partner who can pass me deals that we can both close and get paid on together? 

Not to mention my tech sales network has become my insurance policy in tough times. 

I’m confident that if I lost my job today I could quickly get referred to another top tech company where I would likely make more than my current role. 

SDRing gave me the chance to master foundational outbounding skills that I once used to set meetings for my Account Executive but now use to create opportunities for myself.

Today I use those original SDR skills as an AE to open up conversations with billion dollar companies that can generate multi million dollar opportunities that can put 5-6 figure commission checks in my pocket. 

Today I use those SDRing skills as a podcast host to get the attention of top guests like Josh Braun who has 200k+ followers and open up conversations that serve a broader audience and build my network.

Josh took 6 months of persistent follow up to finally get on my podcast which coincidentally was how long it took to land my first deal as an SDR at Oracle that helped me get promoted. 

The SDR role taught me lifelong lessons on the power of pleasant persistence and follow up. 

Today I use those SDR skills in a way that I never would have dreamed of starting out 9 years ago…

I use them to advise CEOs on how to land meetings with Venture Capital firms to raise funding and on how to shape their own SDR go to market strategy and execution.  

And finally, in addition to the earning potential, connections, and skill sets the SDR role gifted me, it also catalyzed my self development journey by forcing me to relentlessly take action and embrace feedback.

Through the fire of consistent action and feedback I became more self aware, faced my fears, and stepped into a more confident version of myself who is willing to risk going for what I want.

The SDR role forged me into someone who could transcend their limiting beliefs and risk failure and rejection for the things that matter most like self expression and the pursuit of my potential. 

So if you’re an aspiring or current SDR I hope this broader, long term perspective on what’s possible on this path instills a sense of appreciation for the opportunity to impact a company's growth and your own growth in the process. 

Although your base and commission (OTE) as an SDR might add up to somewhere between $80k-$130k today (according to RepVue) the ROI of the initial connections, skills, and personal growth you catalyze & the unpredictable future possibilities you suddenly open up can be worth MILLIONS if you stick with it 5-10+ years into the future. 

I believe that true wealth is the ability to lose it all and build it back up again and that wealth-generating capacity itself is your golden goose and something tech sales pays you to develop. 

And the joy that comes from the connection, growth, and impact you experience along the way is the stuff that belongs in a Mastercard commercial…it’s priceless. 

Respect and cherish this opportunity my friends and may you forever aim upward on this tech sales path!

Happy Selling & Happy Living,

Chris