SDR-as-a-Service
Provide outsourced SDR teams for SaaS — combine email + LinkedIn + call
Provide outsourced SDR teams for SaaS — combine email + LinkedIn + call.
In your day-to-day work, you'll oversee the recruitment and training of two SDRs, ensuring they understand the SaaS landscape. You'll create targeted outreach strategies using email, LinkedIn, and phone calls to engage potential clients. Regular performance tracking and feedback are essential, so you'll implement KPIs to measure success. Managing client relationships is crucial as you'll need to communicate results and refine strategies based on feedback.
This idea is timely because the SaaS sector is booming, especially in the UK, where more companies are seeking efficient ways to generate leads. With businesses increasingly outsourcing sales functions, there's a gap for affordable, effective SDR services. Many startups lack the resources to build in-house sales teams, making outsourced solutions attractive.
As a founder, you should have a background in sales or marketing, ideally within the SaaS industry, to understand client needs. Expect to invest significant time in recruitment, team management, and strategy development—around 20-30 hours a week initially. Building a strong reputation and client base will require persistence and networking.
In the first 12-24 months, if you secure just five clients, you could see monthly revenues between £20k-£50k, depending on your pricing model. Scaling to ten clients could further increase your revenue significantly, with the potential for additional services or upselling existing clients.
- Sales
- Process
£4k–£10k/mo per client
You could expect a gross margin of around 60-70%, depending on your operational efficiency and pricing strategy.
The UK SaaS market is thriving, with many startups emerging post-pandemic. Companies are keen to scale quickly, and outsourcing sales development can provide the agility they need without the overhead of full-time hires.
Your customers are primarily early-stage SaaS companies looking to scale their sales efforts without the upfront costs of hiring full-time SDRs. They value flexibility and expertise in lead generation to grow their client base rapidly.
The UK SaaS market was valued at approximately £25 billion in 2022 and is expected to continue growing. As more companies adopt remote work and digital solutions, the demand for outsourced sales development services is set to rise.
Revenue & pricing
You can charge clients on a per-booked meeting basis or a retainer model for a set number of meetings per month, generating steady income as you scale your team.
- £2,500/month for 5 booked meetings
- £4,000/month for 10 booked meetings
- £6,000/month for 15 booked meetings
- £10,000/month for unlimited meetings with a dedicated SDR team
Costs
- Recruitment ads£200
- Initial SDR training£500
- CRM software (e.g., HubSpot)£120
- Website setup£500
- Legal setup (e.g., company formation)£300
- Initial marketing efforts£400
- Salaries for SDRs£3,000
- CRM subscription£120
- Marketing budget£300
- Software tools subscription£200
First steps
- 1Hire 2 SDRs
- 2Pitch series A SaaS
- 3Charge per booked meeting
Your first 90 days
- Set up a business structure and register with Companies House.
- Create a recruitment plan and advertise for SDR positions.
- Develop training materials for new hires.
- Start networking within SaaS communities to generate leads.
- Establish a simple website and social media presence.
- Hire and onboard your first two SDRs.
- Launch your first marketing campaign targeting SaaS startups.
- Book your first client meeting and gather feedback.
- Refine your outreach strategy based on initial results.
- Establish performance metrics for your SDRs.
How to get customers
Connect with decision-makers in the SaaS space and share valuable content.
Email Marketing
Use targeted campaigns to reach out to potential SaaS clients.
Networking Events
Attend industry events to build relationships and gain referrals.
Content Marketing
Publish articles on the benefits of outsourced sales development.
Tools you'll actually use
| Tool | Cost | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tide | £0/month | For business banking with easy expense tracking. |
| HubSpot | £120/month | CRM to manage leads and track SDR performance. |
| Calendly | £8/month | To streamline scheduling meetings with prospects. |
| Xero | £26/month | For easy accounting and invoicing. |
| Notion | £8/month | To organise team workflows and training documents. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Neglecting proper training for SDRs, leading to ineffective outreach.
- Failing to set clear KPIs and performance metrics.
- Underestimating the time needed to build a client base.
- Overlooking the importance of regular client communication.
- Not adapting strategies based on feedback and results.
How to scale this
- 1Start by offering a small team of SDRs to one or two clients.
- 2Gradually expand your team as demand increases and refine your processes.
- 3Introduce tiered pricing packages to cater to different client needs.
- 4Consider offering additional services like lead qualification or account management.
Risks & mitigations
High turnover of SDRs
Invest in training and create a positive work environment.
Inconsistent client acquisition
Diversify marketing strategies and continuously network.
Dependence on a few major clients
Aim for a broad client base to reduce risk.
Market saturation
Differentiate your service with strong branding and unique value propositions.
UK legal & compliance
- Register for VAT if your turnover exceeds £85,000 and comply with HMRC regulations.
- Obtain appropriate business insurance to protect against liabilities.
- Ensure all marketing materials comply with GDPR regulations on data privacy.
- Consider legal advice for contracts with clients to ensure clarity of terms.
FAQ
How long does it take to see results?
Most clients see results within 1-3 months of starting.
What if my SDRs don’t meet targets?
We focus on continuous performance improvement and training.
Can I scale up or down my package?
Yes, our packages are flexible to suit your needs.
What industries do you specialise in?
We focus on SaaS but are open to other tech-based industries.
How do you ensure quality leads?
We use targeted outreach and refine strategies based on feedback.
Written and maintained by
Business Pathfinder Editorial TeamEditorial research and publishing team
The Business Pathfinder Editorial Team researches and maintains practical guides for UK founders.
Guides are reviewed against relevant primary sources where practical. Financial, legal and tax content is general information, not personal advice.
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