A BDR, or Business Development Representative, is an individual within a sales team who is responsible for creating new business opportunities. They use a variety of methods, including cold calling, emailing, social selling, and networking, to connect with potential prospects. BDRs are primarily engaged in lead generation, building lists of people they could possibly reach out to. They work to identify and qualify leads, making them the first point of contact for potential customers. Once a lead indicates interest, a BDR will connect the prospect to someone more senior on the team, like an account executive. BDRs can assist sales by finding and qualifying leads, but they can also improve inventory by sourcing new vendors. They are also able to manage cross-departmental projects without egos getting in the way. BDRs need a specialized skill set that begins with knowledge of their industry and how to market it to the target audience. They also need a deep understanding of the challenges and trends in their market.